Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

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.