Partial Interval Recording How to create and use this tool.

Partial Interval Recording is… a recording strategy that involves whether or not a behavior occurred during a specified time period. a recording strategy that involves whether or not a behavior occurred during a specified time period. a recording strategy that works when the behavior is difficult to quantify or count. a recording strategy that works when the behavior is difficult to quantify or count.

Using Partial Interval Recording You choose an appropriate amount of time a behavior might occur. You break the time into equal, small intervals. If you do not observe the behavior during the interval, you mark an O.

Using Partial Interval Recording continued If you observe the behavior in the interval, you mark an X. It does not matter how many times the behavior occurs. If it occurs once or many times during the interval, you mark an X. Once the session is complete, you tally up the number of intervals where the behavior occurred. You then turn the tallies into a percentage of times when behavior occurred compared to the whole

Example of Partial Interval Recording Mrs. Smith selects a 20 minute observational setting. Mrs. Smith measures every time her student, Kyle, blurts out an answer without raising his hand. Mrs. Smith breaks the session into ten 2-minute intervals. Mrs. Smith puts marks an X in the box when Kyle blurts during the session and puts an O when he does not blurt. Mrs. Smith tallies up the Xs and turns the number into a percentage of the whole.

Advantages of Partial Interval Recording It provides an estimate of frequency and duration of a behavior. It provides information about where/when behaviors occurred within a larger time period. It can measure something that is often difficult to measure, like disruption or class participation.

Disadvantages to Partial Interval Recording It requires the observer’s undivided attention. It does not measure the exact amount of times the behavior occurs within the interval.

Partial Interval Recording A valuable way to measure and present information that can be difficult to quantify. A valuable way to measure and present information that can be difficult to quantify. An important data tool to turn a teacher’s professional opinion into readable data. An important data tool to turn a teacher’s professional opinion into readable data.