In measuring behaviors, what does tracking any point during an interval mean?

Tracking any point during an interval refers to observing whether a specific behavior occurs at any moment within a defined period of time. This method is known as partial interval recording. With this approach, the observer notes if the behavior happened at least once during the entire interval. It is particularly useful for capturing instances of behavior that may not occur consistently or continuously, as it allows for a flexible measurement strategy that can capture behaviors that happen sporadically.

In contrast, whole interval recording would require the behavior to occur for the entire duration of the interval to be counted. Momentary sampling focuses on checking the behavior at a precise moment at the end of an interval, while continuous monitoring involves observing and recording the behavior throughout the entire time period without breaks. These methods differ fundamentally from partial interval recording, which is designed specifically to detect any occurrence within the allotted time frame.