A special education teacher recording the frequency of disruptive actions is using what type of data collection?

The choice of frequency recording is correct because it involves counting the number of times a specific behavior occurs within a defined period. This method is particularly effective for tracking discrete behaviors, such as disruptive actions, as it provides a clear and quantifiable measure of how often a student engages in these behaviors. By using frequency recording, the teacher can easily identify patterns, determine the effectiveness of interventions, and tailor strategies to support the student’s needs.

Interval recording refers to observing whether a behavior occurs during specified intervals, which is more focused on whether the behavior is present or absent during those times, rather than counting the number of occurrences. Lateral recording is not a recognized term in behavioral data collection methodologies, which makes it irrelevant in this context. Duration recording measures how long a behavior lasts but does not provide the frequency counts that are crucial for understanding disruptive actions' severity or patterns. Therefore, frequency recording is the most suitable method for this scenario, as it directly addresses the teacher’s need to quantify disruptive behaviors.