Direct Observation System: Behavioral Consultation In Homes, Schools and Communities

Assignment 2,  Direct Observation System: Frequency recording is a simple counting of how many times a behavior occurs during a designated period of time. Those designated periods might be a minute, an hour, a day, or a week.  Often frequency data can be converted to rate if the recorder has also measured the period of observation. Rate is a critical measure for behavior analysts. Frequency recording is most useful with behaviors that are discrete and short in duration (e.g., number of curse words, number of short talk-outs without raising hand), or are things that the student has created (e.g., number of correct math problems, number of homework assignments submitted).  There is a second type of frequency recording called permanent product recording in which you count the number of items (e.g., homework assignments, math problems, adjective in an essay) that a student has produced. This measure is especially important where one is concerned about outcomes and tight control of process is less important.

Duration recording monitors the length of time that a behavior occurs during the observation period. It can be used to calculate the average time of display for the number of times that the student showed the behavior.   To calculate the percentage, the sum of the times (duration) that the behavior occurred is divided by the total observation time (For example, if the behavior was displayed for a total of 10 minutes during your 30 minute observation of the student, the behavior was happening 33% of the time).  This type of recording is used for behaviors that last for more than a few seconds and/or for varying lengths of time (e.g., paying attention, tapping a pencil, in-seat behavior).

Interval recording is a shortcut procedure for estimating the duration of a behavior.  In this method, the teacher periodically looks at the student at predetermined (NOT spontaneously selected) intervals and records whether the behavior is occurring.  There are three types of interval recording.  In whole interval time sampling, you observe the student for a few seconds at designated intervals and notice whether the behavior occurs for the whole interval that you are looking for it (mark “yes” or “no” as to whether this behavior occurred for the whole time that you were watching).  In partial interval recording, you mark whether the behavior occurred at least once during the short observation interval.  In momentary time sampling, you look up immediately at pre-designated points and notice whether the behavior is occurring at that precise moment.  In all three types, the teacher then figures the percent of observations that the behavior occurred.  Interval recording is used for the same behaviors as duration recording, but this procedure takes less time and effort, and does not require that the student be observed continually.

Develop two direct observation systems, including data collection sheets and instructions, for collecting data on student behavior. Each observation system must examine at least two dimensions of behavior. Provide an operational definition for the target behavior as well as an articulated rationale for why the chosen observation systems are appropriate for capturing the target behavior(s). Also describe the anticipated advantages and disadvantages to using each direct observation system as designed….

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Assignment 2, Direct Observation System

Student’s Name
Department/Institution
Course
Instructor
Date

Observation System One: Time Sampling Observation System for On-task and Off-task

Behavior

This observation system is developed to gather data on two dimensions of student’s behavior, including on-task behavior and off-task behavior. On-task behavior or compliance will be defined as engaging in the assigned task without being distracted. On the other hand, off-task or disruptive behavior will be defined as engaging in a behavior other than the assigned task. The choice of these behaviors was informed by Barrish et al.’s (1969) study, which directly observed disruptive behaviors, including leaving the seat and whispering without permission.

Rationale

This observation system is suitable for collecting data on on-task and off-task behaviors because it enables the observer to record the behavior of concern during specific time intervals in a systematic way……..Read More