As we discussed in our previous lesson, discontinuous methods (e.g. whole and partial interval recording) are often less valid than continuous methods (e.g. frequency and duration), but are often more practical to use in some situations? – such as when you have to record several continuous behaviors or when working with several clients at the same time. An alternative discontinuous method? is Momentary Time Sampling. Momentary Time Sampling is used primarily to record continuous behaviours and involves dividing the observation period into a series of time intervals.? At the end of each interval, you record whether or not the target behaviour occurred at the moment you observed the student.
For example, Mohammed is a teacher who has 15 students. He wants to measure the on-task behaviour of one of his students (Tom) during his class. He uses momentary time sampling because it allows him to measure Tom?s behaviour while also giving attention to the other students in his class.
Mohammed divides the class into 10-minute intervals. At the end of each interval, he looks at Tom and records whether he is on-task or not.
In summary, momentary Time Sampling is a measurement method in which you record the presence or absence of a behaviour at precisely specified time intervals. It is less accurate than other methods such as whole interval recording and partial interval recording, but has one major advantage ? it does not require you to observe the client?s behaviour for the vast majority of session time.?
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