Recording if the target behavior occurred at the end of each predetermined interval is known as which sampling method?

• A. Momentary time sampling
• B. Partial interval recording
• C. Whole interval recording
• D. Latency

Answer: (A)

Time sampling methods are used to observe behavior in intervals and summarize what happens over time. In momentary time sampling, you record whether the target behavior is happening exactly at the end of each predetermined interval. If the behavior is occurring at that specific moment, you mark it as observed; if not, you do not. This approach contrasts with partial interval recording, which checks if the behavior occurred at any time during the interval, and whole interval recording, which requires the behavior to be present for the entire interval. Latency, on the other hand, measures the time from the start signal to the onset of the behavior. Momentary time sampling offers a simple, efficient way to estimate occurrence at those end-of-interval moments, though it may miss brief episodes that don’t align with the check times.