Recently, I have had a few requests to share one of my data collection forms. I decided I would start off with the basic everyday data collection form I created, and also explain the formulas I use.
I use a Numbers document since I have a Mac, but this also translates well to Excel in PC.
Here is a sample page from my data collection form in Numbers:
To start, simply add in the text areas you want to include like: name of student, goal description, objectives, and criteria. Then begin adding descriptions under Target on the table. The number of sessions across are usually derived from my criteria. In this example there are 5 sessions. The target skills are just a quick description of what I am specifically working on. In the Trials column, I enter the number of attempts I will present each session. The Total Completed column simply adds the number of trials that a client successfully completed across the number of sessions. Click on the first cell under Total Completed and type in: =sum(then click on each cell you want to include). For the other rows, just copy and paste the cell. The Total Attempts column is the maximum number of successes that are possible across the 5 sessions. Click on the first cell in that column and type in: =(the trials cell for that row) * (5). Again, copy the cell and paste for additional rows. Now for the final column, Percentages, you are going to divide the Total Completed by the Total Attempts. Click on the first cell under Percentage and type in: =(total completed cell) / (total attempts cell). You can adjust the percentage by clicking on Format and then Cell. You can then adjust the decimal place to your preference. Copy and paste into additional rows. If you want to get the average of all the percentages for the total accuracy across all skills identified, type in: =average (then click on each percentage cell all the way down).
If you are like me, a video goes a long way, so I recorded this quick tutorial for you!
DIY Data Collection Form from Wade Richards on Vimeo.
Wade is a board-certified music therapist and one of the directors at Spectrum Creative Arts. He completed additional training programs in Orff-Schulwerk, Neurologic Music Therapy, and Performance Wellness. As a songwriter and creative writer, Wade has authored several music resource books for music therapy and music education.