A comparison of thirteen time sampling systems with continuous real time measures
Date Issued
June 1, 1981
Author(s)
Dixon, Joe W.
Advisor(s)
Richard A Saudargas
Abstract
This study was a comprehensive examination of 13 time sampling systems designed to determine which system(s) came closest to accurately estimating continuous real time (CRT) measures taken on six behaviors. Six school-aged children (four females and two males) were videotaped in a contrived classroom setting with an adult female teacher. The 13 sampling systems were drawn from those typically reported in the literature. There were four criteria used to score the time intervals in the systems: (1) momentary time sampling (MTS), (2) partial interval sampling (P), (3) predominant activity sampling (PA), and (4) whole interval sampling (W). Both continuous and discontinuous sampling was employed; interval lengths were selected from those commonly reported in the literature and were combined with the four scoring criteria to produce the 13 time sampling systems. The dependent variable was the percent of time a child was engaged in a particular behavior. Results showed accuracy of estimation to be a function of scoring criteria employed, with the MTS criterion clearly providing the most accurate estimates of CRT. The PA criterion also provided reasonably accurate estimates of CRT, though they were not generally as accurate as those provided by the MTS criterion. The W and P criteria were clearly poor estimators and provided consistently biased estimates of CRT.
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Major
Psychology
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Thesis81b.D586.pdf
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