Understanding the Behavior Frequency Data

Behavior frequency data is a count of how many times a specific, observable behavior occurs within a set period. It involves tallying each instance (e.g., hand raises, aggressive acts) to track behavior patterns, monitor progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions over time.

Key aspects of behavior frequency data

Definition: The raw number (count) of times a targeted behavior happens.
Measurement: Often tracked on a datasheet with tally marks or a click counter during a defined observation period (e.g., a 30-minute class, a therapy session).
Use cases: Best for "discrete" behaviors with a clear start and end (e.g., hitting, asking a question, saying a word).
Distinction from Rate: Frequency is just the count, while "rate" (or frequency over time) standardizes it (e.g., 5 instances per 10 minutes).
Purpose: Helps identify if a behavior is increasing, decreasing, or occurring at an undesirable frequency.