What data should be recorded and how should it be tracked?

• A. The exact data to record and how it will be tracked (e.g., frequency, duration, antecedents, consequences)
• B. Only whether the behavior occurred
• C. The client’s mood during sessions
• D. Weather conditions during data collection

Answer: (A)

Data collection hinges on having a plan that clearly states what will be recorded and how it will be tracked. This means defining the exact data to collect and choosing the measurement method you will use, such as frequency or rate, duration, latency, inter-response time, or percent of opportunities. You can also include ABC data to capture antecedents and consequences when it helps uncover function. Having this defined ensures the data are objective, reliable, and comparable across sessions, so you can see progress and make informed treatment decisions. The other options fall short because merely noting the event occurred provides limited information; mood is subjective and not a stable measure, and weather has no direct relevance to measuring the target behavior.