Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Practice Test

When Susan recorded data on a student's fidgeting, what does a 45% interval occurrence suggest?

1. The data is an accurate reflection of behavior

2. The data is likely an underestimate of the behavior

3. The data is likely an overestimate of the behavior

4. The data is inconclusive about the behavior's occurrence

The correct answer is: The data is likely an overestimate of the behavior

When interpreting a 45% interval occurrence regarding a student's fidgeting, this indicates that fidgeting was observed during 45% of the intervals measured. In behavioral data collection, particularly in interval recording, there is the potential for both overestimation and underestimation of the actual frequency of the behavior. When considering this percentage within the context of typical behavior patterns, a 45% occurrence in a structured observation may suggest that the behavior is not being captured entirely as it could be. If fidgeting is a frequent behavior that globally manifests throughout various times and situations, then a 45% occurrence may actually indicate that the data collected is an overestimate of the true occurrence of fidgeting. This kind of analysis is significant because it highlights the potential gaps or limitations in data collection, particularly if the defined intervals have not captured all instances of the behavior. Therefore, the data reflects a likelihood of overestimating how often the behavior occurs because the totality of the context is not fully assessed. By recognizing this, practitioners can make more informed adjustments in their data collection strategies or interventions moving forward.