What type of data collection method is frequency recording?

Frequency recording is a method where the number of occurrences of a specific behavior is counted within a designated observation period. This data collection technique is particularly useful in situations where the goal is to understand how often a behavior occurs, allowing for a clear quantification that can be tracked over time.

For example, if a behavior analyst is interested in the number of times a child raises their hand during class, the behavior technician would simply tally each instance within the given time frame. This information can help inform decision-making and treatment plans by showing trends and patterns in behavior.

In contrast to other methods, frequency recording does not involve subjective assessments such as mood monitoring, which is more reflective and qualitative in nature. Additionally, it does not focus on measuring the duration of behaviors, which would require a different approach, nor does it involve summarizing qualitative observations, which captures descriptive data rather than counts. Hence, the essence of frequency recording lies in its ability to provide concrete data on behavior occurrences.