Event recording (frequency)
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Event recording is a way of collecting data by counting each time a behavior or skill happens during a set observation period.
Topic: Measurement and data collection
In plain terms
Event recording, also called frequency recording, works best for behaviors with a clear start and end that do not last long, such as raising a hand, calling out, requesting a break or initiating a greeting. The observer makes a tally mark each time it happens. The observation period should be the same length each time, or the count should be turned into a rate.
How it shows up in an IEP
Frequency goals name the behavior and a target count for a period: "will request a break using a card at least 3 times per day." A clear operational definition makes the count reliable, because everyone knows exactly what to tally.
Example
During a 45-minute math block, a teacher tallies each time a student calls out without raising a hand. Across five days the counts are 12, 9, 14, 11 and 10, giving a baseline of 11 per block.
Related terms
- RateRate is the count of a behavior or response divided by the observation time, such as words per minute or requests per hour.
- Operational definitionAn operational definition describes a behavior in observable, measurable terms, so different people would agree on whether it happened.
- Target behaviorA target behavior is the specific behavior chosen to measure and change, defined clearly enough that anyone could count it.
- Data sheetA data sheet is a form for recording a student's performance on an IEP goal in a consistent way each session.
- Interval recordingInterval recording divides an observation into short, equal intervals and records whether a behavior occurred during each one.
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