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The scatterplot method is an interval recording method that is typically used during functional assessment to identify the time of day that the problem behavior most often occurs.
When to Use It
When to Use It
Use this method if you want to know when or how often the behavior is occurring.
Good for high frequency behaviors
Not Recommended to be used when trying to identify antecedents or consequences associated with the behavior.
The observer divides the observation period into a number of smaller time periods or intervals,observes the student throughout each interval, and then records whether the behavior occurred or did not occur in that interval.
This method reveals temporal patterns of behavior across the observation period as well as patterns that may be associated with specific environmental events (e.g., the behavior always occurs from 1:30 – 2:00 during math instruction.
However, the scatterplot method can often overestimate the occurrence of behavior if the intervals are too long.
The scatterplot method can be useful in determining optimal times for someone to directly observe the occurrence of the target behavior.
Once patterns exists across certain times, the team can start to identify variables that may be contributing to the behavior.
Materials Needed:
Clock
Data collection form (see below for templates)
How to Collect Data
How to Collect Data
Clearly provide a definition of observable behavior
Break the observation period into short intervals of time.
If behavior occurs during the interval, put a plus (+) mark
After several days or weeks of data collection, the observer may start to see a pattern across the scatterplot matrix that will provide information about possible patterns of time and behavior.
How to Summarize Data
How to Summarize Data
The scatterplot is typically reported as the percentage of intervals in which the behavior occurred.
To calculate the % of intervals, count the number of intervals in which the behavior was recorded, divide by the total number of intervals during the observation period and multiply by 100.
Example: Mary was out of her seat during 4 out of 10 intervals 4 ÷ 10 = .40 x 100 = 40%
Mary was out of her seat during 40% of intervals on 8/31/09.
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