Before a new technician records real data, it helps to be sure they can tell two questions apart: "how many times?" and "how long?" This sheet gives them six fictional situations to practice on, so no student or client information is needed.
Download the free PDF (2 pages)
How to use it
- Print the sheet, or work through the questions below together.
- Ask your trainee to choose F (count how many times) or D (measure how long) for each question.
- Check the answers with the key, then use the three discussion prompts before anyone collects real data.
The six questions
- During a five-minute practice, how many times did a bell ring?
- How long did the group spend waiting between two scheduled activities?
- How many times did a fictional learner raise a hand during a lesson?
- How long did one uninterrupted reading period last?
- How many times was the door opened during a drill?
- How much time passed while a timer was running?
Discuss before collecting real data
- If you’re counting, what counts as one occurrence? If you’re measuring duration, exactly when do you start and stop timing?
- How will you record it?
- What would you do if a measurement is missed?
Show the answer key
1 F · 2 D · 3 F · 4 D · 5 F · 6 D
Frequency answers a "how many times" question. Duration answers a "how long" question. The right measure depends on the specific question and the approved measurement procedure; the same situation can be studied in different ways.
Free tool to help: Our free data graph turns counts or durations into a clear graph you can share with your team: special-learning.com/tools/data-graph/
Another practice sheet: Specific feedback and safe handoffs
When your new staff are ready for more: our online course, Intro to ABA, Level 1, teaches the methods and techniques of ABA for the people who work with the learner every day. It's $199 for the course, paid once, and the first two sessions are free for 7 days: Intro to ABA, Level 1
Fictional examples only. Use your organization's approved plan for real work.