What is the difference between whole interval and partial interval?
Interval recording methods include whole interval recording.Interval recording involves observing whether a behavior occurs or not.The time is broken down into smaller intervals that are equal in length once the length of the observation session is identified.A 10 minute observational session may be separated into 1 minute intervals with ten boxes used to record the occurrence of behavior.If a behavior occurs throughout the entire interval, the observer places an "X" and a "O" on it.
The observer is interested in the behavior that occurs during the entire interval.Writing, walking, reading, or working on an assignment are examples of ongoing behaviors that can be observed using whole interval recording.
Once the recording is complete, the observer counts the number of intervals in which the behavior was observed and a percentage of the intervals with it documented.A teacher may be interested in whether a student is on-task, if he is talking to the teacher, or looking at the assignment.The student engaged in the behavior of interest during 60 percent of the observational session if these behaviors occurred throughout six of ten intervals.
A clipboard with a recording sheet is often used to keep track of intervals.A tape recording with a sound indicating the end of an interval can be used to alert the observer and help him or her keep track without having to look at a timing instrument.
The whole interval recording method gives an estimate of the duration of a behavior and provides information about where the behavior is taking place.Whole interval recording requires an observer's attention.Teachers interested in this measurement strategy may need to ask someone else to observe and collect whole interval data for them while they are working with students or engaged in instruction.Since the person recording must attend to both the timing of intervals as well as the student, it can be difficult to observe and record data.
Counting the number of time-Intervals in which the behavior occurred can be used to measure it.It is not easy to count a behavior.
Use the whole interval recording method if you want to measure ongoing behaviors.