Observation

# Observe

Interval recording of play, social behavior, and group skills

A timer for momentary time sampling or partial-interval recording. The adult picks up to 4 behaviors from a fixed list, and at each tone taps the ones they see.

 [Open Observe](https://aba-tools.com/tools/observe)

## When

-   Measuring behavior that is watched rather than run as trials: independent play, play with peers, being on task in a group.
-   Recess, centers, circle time, or free play.
-   Tracking change in the percent of intervals over weeks.

## Why

-   A soft tone marks each interval, so your eyes stay on the learner.
-   Momentary time sampling opens the buttons for 3 seconds after the tone; partial interval keeps them open for the whole interval.
-   Every interval saves a yes or no for each behavior, so the percent of intervals is exact.

## How

1.  Choose **Momentary** or **Partial interval**, and 10, 15, or 30 seconds.
2.  Pick up to 4 behaviors, then tap **Start**.
3.  At each tone, tap the behaviors you see (momentary), or tap each behavior whenever it happens (partial interval).
4.  Tap **Stop** to finish. The summary shows the percent of intervals for each behavior.

**Saved to the dashboard:** A yes or no for each behavior in every interval. The dashboard graphs the percent of intervals for any behavior, by session, with the method as the phase.

## More for bcbas & adults

- **[Probe Day](https://aba-tools.com/guide/probe-day)** (Data): Cold probes, mastery by probe, and maintenance across every trial tool
- **[Milestones Tracker](https://aba-tools.com/guide/milestones)** (Assessment): Scoring and graphing 170 milestones across 16 domains
- **[Barriers Checklist](https://aba-tools.com/guide/barriers)** (Assessment): Scoring 24 learning barriers from 0 to 4
- **[Transition Readiness](https://aba-tools.com/guide/transition)** (Assessment): Scoring 18 transition areas, with tool data alongside

Every tool, learner profiles, and questions are in the guide. [Back to the guide](https://aba-tools.com/guide)

---
From https://aba-tools.com/guide/observe