What does duration measure in continuous measurement?

Duration in continuous measurement specifically refers to the total extent of time that a particular behavior occurs. This measurement captures how long a behavior lasts from its onset to its offset, providing valuable insight into the frequency and persistence of the behavior being observed. Understanding duration is particularly beneficial when evaluating behaviors that are temporally sustained rather than those that occur in discrete instances, as it helps to assess the overall engagement or severity of the behavior over time.

The other choices illustrate different aspects of behavioral measurement: one tracks the number of instances of a behavior, another measures the average time between responses, and the last assesses the intensity or force of the behavior. However, none of these options focus on the time aspect of behavior, which is fundamentally what duration represents. Thus, the correct understanding of duration is directly related to measuring the length of time a behavior occurs, making it a critical component in behavior analysis and intervention planning.