Interval recording for duration events: A re-evaluation

Abstract

In two experiments, events that were recorded using continuous duration recording (CDR) were rescored using 10-s partial interval (PIR), 10-s momentary time sampling (MTS) and 20-s MTS. Results of Experiment 1 showed that data paths generated by each interval method produced conclusions about functional control that were similar to those based on CDR when using reversal designs; however, for multielement designs, 10-s PIR was prone to showing differentiation between data paths that was not evident with CDR. Results of Experiment 2 showed that both 10-s and 20-s MTS yielded data paths on behavior-behavior relations (e.g., covarying responses) that were consistent with CDR whereas 10-s PIR produced some behavior-behavior patterns that were not. In both experiments, 10-s MTS generated data paths that were nearly identical to the respective CDR data paths. The implications of these findings for researchers and clinicians are briefly discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.