Are total count and total duration IOAs considered more precise than mean count and mean duration per occurrence data?

Total count and total duration interobserver agreements (IOAs) are not inherently considered more precise than mean count and mean duration per occurrence data. Total count and total duration calculations focus on the overall number of occurrences or the total time spent, respectively. While they provide valuable insights into the frequency or the extent of behavior, they may not account for variability in individual occurrences or the context in which behaviors happen.

Mean count and mean duration per occurrence provide a normalized perspective that reflects the average occurrence rate or duration, making them more useful for understanding the nature of specific behaviors in context and offering greater insight into patterns of behavior over time. This approach accounts for variations and provides a more nuanced understanding, which is essential when analyzing behavior for intervention planning.

Therefore, while total count and total duration IOAs can certainly be useful for specific assessments, they are not necessarily more precise compared to the mean measures, which take into account individual occurrences and their varying durations.