What is partial interval recording primarily used for?

Partial interval recording is primarily utilized to measure the occurrence of behaviors over a specified interval of time, particularly focusing on whether a behavior occurs at any point during that interval. It's an effective method for capturing instances of a behavior, especially when the aim is to decrease that behavior or understand its patterns and frequency.

This method is particularly useful when the behaviors are expected to happen multiple times throughout the observation period. By recording whether the target behavior occurred at any moment during the interval, practitioners can assess the overall frequency and trends of that behavior over time. This information can guide interventions aimed at reducing undesirable behaviors by identifying how often they occur and potentially triggering strategies to mitigate them.

While other options may relate to aspects of behavior tracking or support, partial interval recording's primary objective is aligned with decreasing behaviors, making it particularly valuable in treatment plans that focus on behavior reduction strategies.