A.3 · Data Collection and Graphing

Permanent-product recording

Review how lasting results, such as completed labels, can be counted against a clear completion rule. Examples show why identifying who produced the work and what help was given matters when reporting performance.

Task A.3: Apply permanent-product recording procedures

Useful foundations: A.5: Observable and measurable behavior

The rule

Use permanent-product recording when a lasting result can be checked against a clear completion rule.

Inspect what remains after the behavior. Check whether the product can actually be attributed to the learner and whether it establishes the fact you need.

Key terms
Permanent product
A lasting, observable result of behavior, such as a completed worksheet.

What to look for

DistinctionLook forHow to decide
Lasting productAn observable result remainsInspect the result after the activity.
Completion ruleA specific standard for countingApply the same criterion to every product.
Evidence limitWhat the product can establishEstablish who produced the work and how independence or timing will be observed before reporting those measures.

Worked examples

Completion criterion

Count finished labels

During a supervised sorting task, only Leila writes labels on six folders. The rule counts a folder only when both a readable name and a date appear. Four folders have both, one has only a name, and one is blank.

Relevant facts

  • Only Leila produced the labels.
  • Four meet both parts of the stated rule.

Record 4 completed labels.

4 complete + 1 incomplete + 1 blank = 6 inspected

A completed folder needs both a readable name and a date. Four folders meet that rule. The sheet therefore supports a count of four completed folders; measuring writing speed would also require timing data.

Attribution

Check who completed the work

An RBT returns after a group activity and sees all eight trays stacked. Three learners and a staff member were cleaning while the RBT was away. The target is how many trays one learner stacked independently.

Relevant facts

  • The stack remains after cleaning.
  • The identity of the stacker and any help are unknown.

Record that the available evidence leaves the learner’s independent response count unresolved.

Eight stacked trays → check attribution and prompting records

Match the evidence left by the product to the requested measure. Explain which observations are needed and ask the supervisor how to record independence next time.

What changes the answer?

Keep the four complete folder labels; change the question.

  • The labels remain available for inspection.

How many meet the written completion rule?

Four.

Both required elements can be checked directly.

How many were written without prompts?

Prompting records are needed to establish that count.

A prompt record or direct observation is needed.

Use the finished work to measure completion. Use observations of the process to establish how it was completed.

Remember

  • Check the product, the counting rule and the attribution.
  • Report what the finished work shows and identify any additional observations needed.
Sources for this topic

Reviewed 2026-09-30 · A.3 version 3.