Data Collection and Procedural Integrity

Operational Definition

Is clear and specific description of the behavior that allows it to be measured objectively.

Details include…

1. Observable actions

2. Frequency

3. Duration

4. Intensity

The behavior enabling consistency in data collection

Operational Definition must be …

1. Clear and specific

2. Observable and measurable

3. Repeatable

4. Objective

The two type of measurement are ….

Continuous and Discontinuous

Continuous

Data collection methods measure every instance of a behavior can occur frequently or over long periods of time

Usually in early stages of therapy

Discontinuous

Data collection system measure only a sample of behavior that occurs during an interval

Frequency

Number of times a specific behavior occurs

Counting each instance of the behavior as it occurs, regardless of how long each instance lasts

Duration

Measures the amount of time a behavior lasts, from its onset to its termination

Rate

Measures the frequency of behavior that occurs over a given interval

Latency

Amount of time that elapses between a stimulus of cue and the initiation of a response or behavior.

Inter-Response Time (IRT)

Measure the time between consecutive responses or the end of the instance of the behavior and the beginning of the next. Measures how quickly someone engages in multiple instances of the same behavior.

Continuous Measurement used In ABA

1. Latency

   • the time between SD and the first response

2. Duration

   • how long each response lasted

3. Frequency

   • the number of times the response occurred

4. Rate

   • the number of times the response occurred over the period of time

5. Inter-Response Time

   • represented by the time between responses

Discontinuous measurement

Involves dividing an observation into intervals and recording whether a behavior occurred during some or all of each interval. Aka interval recording

Types of Discontinuous methods

Interval

1. Partial

2. Whole

Momentary Time Sampling

Partial interval ( PIR )

Recording whether the behavior occurred at any point during that interval

• behavior does not have a clear start/stop

• Behavior occurs at such a high rate that it’s impractical to count each occurrence

• An estimate of the frequency of the behavior is acceptable

Whole Interval

Records weather the behavior happens throughout the whole interval

• behavior occurs over a long period of time

• It’s impractical to use duration recording in your setting

• An overestimate of the behavior is acceptable

Momentary time - sampling ( MTS )

Whether or not the behavior occurs, usually at the end of the interval

• used when other methods of data collection are impractical in your situation

Preparing for data collection

1. Understand Behavior Targets

2. Ask questions

3. Read data from last session

4. Determine what programs you plan to work on

5. Review data collections procedures

6. Gather materials needed

Other Methods of measurement for discontinuous

Risk of unreliable Data collection

Ineffective intervention

Wasted resources

Ethical concerns

Miscommunication with stakeholders