title: Momentary time sampling as an estimate of percentage time: A field validation.
abstract: This study examined the percentage time estimates of momentary time sampling against the real time obtained with handheld computers in a natural setting. Twenty-two concurrent observations were conducted in elementary schools by one observer who used 15-s momentary time sampling and a second who used a handheld computer. Results for the six behaviors showed a close correspondence between the momentary time sampling percentage observation intervals and the real time percentage observation time, although 15-s momentary time sampling tended not to sample low-frequency short-duration behaviors. The results confirmed laboratory findings that short-interval momentary time sampling estimates percentage time accurately for a wide range of behavior frequencies and durations, and suggested that observers using momentary time sampling in a natural setting are able to obtain accurate data.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Saudargas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zanolli