Partial interval recording tends to have what effect on behavior estimation?

Partial interval recording is a method used in behavioral observation where an observer records whether a behavior occurred at any point during the specified interval, regardless of how long it lasted. This method can lead to an overestimation of the occurrence of the behavior because it counts any instance of the behavior occurring at least once within the interval, even if the behavior occurred for only a brief moment.

For instance, if a child raises their hand to speak for just 2 seconds during a 10-second interval, the observation would mark that interval as "behavior occurred," even though the behavior was not present for the entire interval. This can result in a higher count of occurrences compared to methods that require the behavior to be sustained or to occur more consistently throughout the interval.

The tendency to record all instances, regardless of their duration, means that the total count of behaviors will likely be inflated. Consequently, partial interval recording can present a skewed view that suggests a greater frequency of the behavior than what might actually be happening over a longer period. This characteristic makes it important for practitioners to understand the potential limitations and consequences of this recording method in order to accurately interpret the results and guide intervention.