Measuring Behaviors: Event Recording/Frequency Counting Event recording is a process for documenting the number of times a behavior occurs. An observer using event recording makes a tally mark or documents in some way each time a student engages in a target behavior. For instance, a teacher may be interested in the number of times a student asks for help, leaves the desk, or interacts positively with peers.
Event recording takes place during a specific time period. For example, it may be necessary to observe a student during math class from 9:00-9:30 over several days to see a pattern of behavior. When the length of time varies, the data gathered during event recording is documented as a rate. For instance, the rate may reflect the number of behaviors per minute or per hour. Advantages - Easy to implement and can be used while teaching class (see tips below) - Can be translated into a rate (ex: 5 times per minute) Disadvantages - Difficult when behaviors are at a really high rate or occurs over extended periods of time (examples may include tantrums, staring into space, talking to peers…) When should event recording be used? - When the objective is to increase or decrease the number of times a behavior occurs - The behavior has a clear beginning and end so that you can easily tell when the behavior starts and when it ends - When the behavior does not happen at such a high rate that it is hard to document Adapted from Univeristy of Kansas http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/?q=assessment/data_based_decision_making/teacher_tools/event_recording Tips and Tricks for Event Recording There are many tricks for event recording without interrupting teaching or making students aware of your data collection. Here are a few examples: - Clipboard with form - Use a golf counter - Move a bean from the left pocket to the right pocket each time the behavior occurs - Wear rubber bands on one wrist and move one over to the other wrist. (advanced- color code to count multiple behaviors) - Wear a bead necklace with a knot in the middle. Slip one bead over the knot each time the behavior occurs - Put a piece of masking tape on your sleeve and use a writing utensil to draw a tick mark - Open a book to a designated page (ex 100) and flip one page each time the behavior occurs |