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The Methods Of Collecting Data Essay

Decent Essays

When a child exhibits challenging behavior in a classroom, his or her teacher must collect data to determine the functions of the behavior. The purpose of collecting data, from several different sources, is to provide information on when, where, and how often the challenging behavior occurs and how long it lasts.
Concerning the various sources in which data is collected, they can include; parents, other teachers, bus driver, principal, and the student. The means of collecting this data are from interviews, behavior rating scales, and direct observations. Regarding the different means, interviews are the first tools used to assess a behavior’s function. They will help determine the background of the problem behavior, the antecedents and consequences associated with the behavior, the times of day, places, and settings in which the behavior occurs or does not occur, and strategies that have already been tried. The behavior rating scales include a set of questions or statements to which parents, teachers, students, plus others respond to provide information about the problem behavior. These help identify antecedents, consequences, and reinforcers. Lastly, direct observations are when someone observes the student in the classroom and gathers information as to his or her problem behavior. These observations help to see when, where, and how often the problem behavior occurs, and how long it lasts.
Once the data is collected, it is coordinated by an education professional;

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