What does discontinuous measurement involve?

Discontinuous measurement involves measuring a behavior in specified time increments, which allows for observations of behaviors at specific intervals rather than continuously throughout a session. This method is particularly useful in situations where continuous measurement may be impractical or when the behavior occurs at a lower frequency.

It provides valuable data while allowing for breaks in observation and can be more manageable for the observer. By structuring observations around time increments, practitioners can gather critical data about the presence or absence of a behavior without having to continuously monitor it. This approach is often employed in applied behavior analysis to assess occurrence rates, especially in environments with numerous competing behaviors or distractions.

Other options do not adequately describe the nature of discontinuous measurement; for instance, measuring behavior only once lacks the repetitive assessment required to identify patterns or variations, tracking behavior continuously involves ongoing monitoring rather than breaks, and measuring multiple behaviors at once may not focus on the intervals that characterize discontinuous methods.