Whole Interval Recording in ABA Therapy: Definition, Examples, and Use

• Definition: Whole interval recording measures whether a behavior occurs throughout each predefined time interval.
• Best Use: Continuous, high-frequency behaviors you want to increase.
• Advantages: Shows sustained behavior and supports data-driven decisions.
• Limitations: Tends to underestimate behavior and requires attentive observation. 
• Comparison: Differs from partial interval and momentary sampling methods in what it records and how.

Whole interval recording is a data-collection method used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). It tracks whether a target behavior happened throughout an entire interval of time. The observer divides the observation period into equal segments and marks whether the behavior occurred for the full duration of each interval. This method is especially useful for behaviors that are ongoing or continuous. 

What Whole Interval Recording Looks Like

In whole interval recording, you don’t just note if a behavior happened at any point — you check whether it lasted continuously throughout an entire time slot. Each interval is marked “yes” only if the behavior persisted from beginning to end. If the behavior stops for even a moment within that interval, it’s marked “no.”

For example, imagine watching a child’s on-task behavior during a 15-minute reading period. You could divide that time into five 3-minute intervals. For each 3-minute block, you record whether the child remained on task the whole time. This gives a picture of sustained engagement rather than brief moments of attention. 

How Whole Interval Recording Works

Step 1: Define the Target Behavior

The first step is to clearly define the behavior you want to observe. A clear description ensures everyone collecting data looks for the same things.

Step 2: Set Equal Time Intervals

Decide on the length of intervals (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute). Shorter intervals may improve accuracy but require more attention from the observer.

Step 3: Observe and Record

Watch the individual during each interval. Record “yes” if the target behavior occurs for the entire interval. Mark “no” if it doesn’t last the whole time.

Step 4: Analyze the Data

You can calculate the percentage of intervals with the target behavior by dividing the number of “yes” intervals by the total number of intervals and multiplying by 100. This percentage helps quantify how consistently the behavior occurs.

Why Use Whole Interval Recording?

Useful for Ongoing Behaviors

Whole interval recording is best for continuous behaviors — actions that last over a period rather than brief or infrequent moments. Examples include staying on task, remaining seated, sustained attention, or engagement in an activity. 

Helps Track Progress for Skill Building

This method is often used when the goal is to increase a behavior or measure how consistently a positive behavior occurs throughout sessions. Because it requires the behavior to last the whole interval, it provides a conservative estimate of continuous engagement. 

Supports Goal-Setting and Intervention

The data from whole interval recording help behavior analysts and clinicians identify patterns, make data-driven decisions, and adjust intervention plans when needed. This ensures goals focus on meaningful, sustained behaviors.

Examples of Whole Interval Recording in Practice

Example 1: On-Task Engagement

A therapist wants to see how often a student stays focused during independent work. They break a 20-minute session into ten 2-minute intervals. If the student remains on task for all of those 2 minutes, the interval is scored “yes.” Tracking these data over time shows whether engagement increases with intervention.

Example 2: Social Participation

A teacher divides a social skills group session into 5-minute blocks. Each block is recorded as “yes” only if the student participates in group activity for the entire 5 minutes. These data help identify how well the student is doing with sustained social interaction.

These examples show how whole interval recording supports measurement of sustained behaviors rather than fleeting ones.

Advantages of Whole Interval Recording

Captures Duration and Consistency

Whole interval recording focuses on whether a behavior continues throughout each interval. This gives meaningful data about real engagement and sustained behavior.

Simple Yes/No Data

The method’s data format — each interval scored “yes” or “no” — makes it easy to interpret and graph over time for visual progress monitoring. 

Practical for Clinical and Classroom Settings

Because observers only mark intervals instead of logging every single behavior instance, whole interval recording can be practical when working with groups or when continuous, moment-by-moment recording is too demanding.

Limitations and Considerations

Underestimates Behavior

Whole interval recording tends to underestimate how often a behavior actually happens because it counts only intervals where the behavior lasts the entire time slot. If a behavior starts or stops even briefly within an interval, it is not recorded as present.

Requires Consistent Observation

Observers must watch the full interval without distraction to ensure accurate data. This can be difficult when recording multiple individuals or when the observer has simultaneous responsibilities.

Not Ideal for Quick or Infrequent Behaviors

Whole interval recording is not suited for behaviors that happen in short bursts or infrequently. Other methods like partial interval or momentary time sampling may be more appropriate for those cases.

Whole Interval Recording vs. Other Methods

Partial Interval Recording

In whole interval recording, the behavior must occur throughout the entire time slot to count. In partial interval recording, the behavior counts if it occurs at any point during the interval. This difference means partial interval recording can overestimate frequency, while whole interval recording tends to underestimate it.

Momentary Time Sampling

Momentary time sampling records whether the behavior occurs only at a specific moment, usually at the end of the interval. This method is less demanding but can miss occurrences between checks. Whole interval recording gives a fuller picture of duration but requires closer monitoring.

Choosing the right method depends on the behavior’s nature and the goals of data collection.

How ABA Professionals Use Whole Interval Recording

ABA practitioners use whole interval recording to:

• Measure sustained behaviors like focus, participation, or on-task engagement. 
• Track changes across sessions or environments.
• Inform individualized treatment plans based on data trends.
• Communicate progress clearly to families and teams.

Systematic data like this supports both short-term goals and long-term progress monitoring. 

Conclusion

Whole interval recording is a powerful tool in behavior analysis that gives therapists and caregivers a clear picture of how often and how long meaningful behaviors occur. By capturing whether a behavior lasts throughout structured intervals, this method supports thoughtful, data-driven intervention planning that’s tailored to the individual.

If you’re working with a loved one and want expert support with data collection and behavioral intervention planning — including personalized strategies using whole interval recording — contact Apex ABA to schedule a comprehensive assessment. Our team will help you understand behavior patterns and build plans that promote progress and success.

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‍Sources:

1. https://specialconnections.ku.edu/assessment/data_based_decision_making/teacher_tools/whole_interval_recording
2. https://masteraba.academy/post/continuous-vs-discontinuous-measurement-aba
3. https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf_activities/independent/IA_Frequency_and_Interval_Recording.pdf
4. https://dictionary.apa.org/whole-interval-recording‍
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3592492/