Which recording method tracks how often a behavior is displayed within a set time frame?

The method that tracks how often a behavior is displayed within a set time frame is interval recording. This approach involves dividing the observational period into distinct intervals and noting whether the behavior occurs at any time during each interval. It allows practitioners to collect quantifiable data on the frequency of the behavior across specified periods, making it useful for assessing the persistence or decrease of a behavior over time.

Interval recording can be particularly effective in environments where behaviors may be episodic or fluctuate in frequency. For example, if a therapist observes a child during a 30-minute session, they may divide that time into short intervals (e.g., every five minutes) and check if the child displays a targeted behavior during each interval.

In contrast, continuous recording captures every occurrence of a behavior throughout the entire observation period, providing a comprehensive account but can be more challenging in terms of data management. Anecdotal records provide descriptive observations in narrative form but do not quantify the frequency of behaviors, and standardized observation involves set criteria for evaluation but does not specifically measure occurrences within a time framework like interval recording does.