Description
Check a momentary sample against a state interval.
Behavioral-study coding depends on observation intervals, missing samples, event records and assignment rules. Partial-, whole- and momentary-sampling summaries answer different questions; local agreement or coverage does not establish actual behavior, a diagnosis or an effective intervention.
Check a momentary sample against a state interval.
When to use this tool
Use Momentary Sample Boundary State when checking the stated behavioral-research observation, assignment, coverage or coding convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter sampleTime, stateStart, stateEnd, includeStart, includeEnd. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read active, onBoundary. Inspect active, onBoundary before interpreting the associated values.
Check a momentary sample against a state interval. Require stateEnd >= stateStart; active uses independently open/closed start/end flags, onBoundary tests exact equality.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| sampleTime | Sample Time | Required. Finite number. |
| stateStart | State Start | Required. Finite number. |
| stateEnd | State End | Required. Finite number. |
| includeStart | Include Start | Required. Boolean. |
| includeEnd | Include End | Required. Boolean. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| active | Active | Required. Boolean. |
| onBoundary | On Boundary | Required. Boolean. |
{
"input": {
"sampleTime": 10,
"stateStart": 10,
"stateEnd": 20,
"includeStart": true,
"includeEnd": false
},
"output": {
"active": true,
"onBoundary": true
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- A boundary can be flagged without being included; state timing and actual behavior are supplied assertions.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified observations and the study’s complete sampling/coding protocol, with appropriate statistical and professional interpretation for health or intervention decisions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Momentary Sampling Point State Tag
Return state at an exact recorded sampling time.
- Behavioral Diary Timebin Boundary Choice
Return a diary bin under left-closed or right-closed policy.