Student Preference for Explicit Timing and Interspersal Procedures as a Function of Math Problem Completion Rates: Testing the Discrete Task Completion Hypothesis

A within-subjects design was used to compare explicit timing and interspersal with college students. Students were given 3 minutes to complete problems on the explicit timing assignment (25 problems, 3 digits –3 digits) and the interspersal assignment (25 similar problems and 10 problems, 1 digit –1 digit). Results indicated that: (a) students completed more total problems during interspersal for both trials, (b) students completed more target problems during explicit timing for the second trial, and (c) students only preferred interspersal for the first trial. The data from trial one fit the discrete task completion hypothesis and matching law, yet the data from trial two do not match as closely (Skinner, 2002). Discussion focuses on continued need for more research on academic interventions, comparing academic interventions, the discrete task completion hypothesis, and the matching law.