Comparison of time-sampling and continuous-recording techniques for observing developmental changes in caretaker and infant behaviors.

Summary Time sampling and continuous-recording techniques for observing developmental changes in caretaker and infant behaviors between two and five weeks of age were compared. Ten infants from an adoption agency nursery were observed simultaneously with both techniques for two and one-half hours at two and five weeks of age. Five caretaker behaviors and five infant behaviors were observed. Both observational techniques indicated similar findings in age-related behavior changes and in median percent of time spent in the 10 caretaker-infant behaviors. The continuous-recording technique did, however, yield a more molecular analysis in that incidence of behaviors could be subdivided into frequency and duration. It was concluded, therefore, that the added versatility in types of data analysis makes continuous recording a more desirable means of collecting naturalistic observation data.