Free Scatterplot Data Sheet
A free printable scatterplot data sheet for finding when a behavior happens. Mark each time block across the week, or type into the fillable PDF, then export to Excel to keep the grid.
- Scatterplot
- Free printable PDF
- Fillable in browser
A scatterplot data sheet maps a behavior onto a grid of time blocks and days, so a pattern that is invisible in a running log jumps out as clusters of marks. Down the side you list time blocks, across the top you have the days of the week, and you mark a cell when the behavior occurs in that block. This scatterplot data sheet is built to answer a single question: when does the behavior tend to happen?
The marking can be as simple or detailed as the team needs. Some staff shade a cell if the behavior happened at all, others use a light and heavy mark to show low versus high, and either way the goal is a visual map, not a precise count. Keep the same time blocks every day so the columns line up, and keep one shared definition so every observer marks the same behavior.
After a week or two, the shaded cells usually gather around certain times, like the block before lunch or the last period of the day. That clustering points to antecedents worth examining, such as hunger, a hard subject, or a recurring transition. A scatterplot rarely explains why on its own, so pair it with ABC data to move from when to why, then export to Excel to keep the grid.
When to use it
Use a scatterplot early in an assessment when you suspect a behavior is tied to certain times or activities but cannot yet name the trigger. It suits teachers and BCBAs looking for temporal patterns before committing to a full ABC analysis or a behavior plan.
Customization tips
- Keep identical time blocks every day so the weekly columns stay comparable.
- Use a light mark for low and a heavy mark for high if you want intensity, and note the key.
- Switch to the fillable PDF when staff prefer to mark on a screen.
- Export to Excel to keep the grid and layer color or notes onto the busiest blocks.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a scatterplot data sheet?
- It is a grid of time blocks by days where you mark when a behavior occurs. Instead of a number, it produces a visual map that shows the times of day and days of the week a behavior clusters. It is a pattern-finding tool, not a precise count.
- What does a scatterplot tell me?
- It shows when a behavior tends to happen. Clusters of marks around certain blocks point to times worth examining for antecedents, such as transitions, hunger, or a difficult activity. It answers when, which then guides where to look for why.
- How is a scatterplot different from ABC data?
- A scatterplot maps the timing of a behavior across a week. ABC data captures what happened right before and after each incident. Scatterplot shows when to look, and ABC data helps explain why, so the two work well together.
- How long should I run a scatterplot?
- A week or two of consistent marking usually reveals whether the behavior clusters. Too few days can show a pattern that is really just chance, so give it enough time for the busy blocks to stand out clearly.
- Do I need an exact count in each cell?
- No. A scatterplot is about pattern, not precision. A simple mark, or a light and heavy mark for intensity, is enough. If you need exact counts, pair the grid with a frequency sheet for the blocks that stand out.