SPCE 630: Research Methods for Behavior Analysis Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts of BACB 6th Edition Research Methods as presented in the lecture notes.

Description

A goal of behavior analysis as a science entailing systematic and objective investigation or measurement of the target behavior of interest before any interventions are initiated.

Prediction

A goal of science in single case research where, after baseline data is collected, hypotheses are made about the effects of the independent variable.

Control

The goal achieved when single case experimental design demonstrates that the intervention is the only variable responsible for behavior change.

Determinism

A philosophical assumption suggesting that behaviors occur specifically by a determined cause and are not considered random.

Empiricism

The process of collecting data on behaviors through objective observations to allow for conclusions regarding why a behavior occurs.

Experimentation

The systematic manipulation of variables, specifically environmental events, to observe their effect on behavior.

Replication

The repeated demonstration or attempts of a functional relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable across clients or phases.

Parsimony

The philosophical approach of relying solely on simple, straightforward explanations for why a behavior is occurring.

Philosophic Doubt

The continuing of questioning the findings of a study to determine if conclusions about behavior change are supported by continued data.

Rate

ext{Rate} = rac{ ext{# of responses}}{ ext{unit of time}}

Percentage

$$rac{ ext{Total occurrences}}{ ext{Number of opportunities}} imes 100$$

Event Recording

The scoring of each occurrence of behavior in the observation period, also known as frequency recording.

Partial Interval Recording

A measurement procedure that scores if a behavior occurred at any point during a specific interval, which can overestimate behavior.

Momentary Time Sampling

A measurement procedure where an instance is recorded if the behavior occurs at the very moment the interval ends.

Permanent Product Recording

A measurement system that scores a behavior after its occurrence based on its physical impact on the environment.

Latency Recording

A measure of temporal locus defined as the time elapsed between a stimulus and the onset of behavior.

Inter-response Time (IRT)

The amount of time between two consecutive occurrences of the same behavior.

Duration

The total amount of how long a behavior occurs, measured from the start of the behavior to its end.

Continuous Measurement

The scoring and measurement of every instance of behavior, including methods like frequency, rate, and duration.

Discontinuous Measurement

The scoring or measurement of an estimation of behavior occurrence, such as whole interval or momentary time sampling.

Whole Interval Recording

A method where observers record an instance only if the behavior occurs throughout the entire specified interval.

PLACHECK

Planned Activity Check; a variation of momentary time sampling using head counts to measure group behavior.

Construct Validity

The determination of whether a measurement procedure accurately reflects the concept that is the interest of measurement.

Pilot Data Collection

A data collection trial not reported as actual data, used to ensure measurement procedures and behavior definitions are appropriate before formal collection.

Nave Observers

Also called blind observers, these individuals are used to collect data that are not context-bound to increase accuracy.

Interobserver Agreement (IOA)

Assess reliability by having two observers collect data on a behavior at the same time independently to calculate a percentage of agreement.

Cumulative Record

A graph showing the total number of responses over time, where the data trend increases or remains flat but never decreases.

Standard Celeration Chart

A semi-logarithmic chart used in precision teaching where behavior is on a logarithmic scale and time is on an equal-interval scale.

Level

A component of visual analysis referring to the amount of behavior occurring, indicated by the y-axis.

Trend

The slope and direction in which the data is moving over time, such as increasing, decreasing, or zero celeration.

Variability

The fluctuation or range from one data point to another, representing the opposite of stable data.

Immediacy of Change

Behavior change that occurs as soon as the intervention is introduced when comparing one phase to the next.

Overlap

The extent to which data points in one phase have the same value as data points in the adjacent, subsequent phase.

Procedural Fidelity

Measuring the extent to which both intervention and baseline conditions were implemented as intended.

Dependent Variable

The variable targeted for change, normally a specific behavior produced by the researcher.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated to produce change, often referred to as the intervention.

Internal Validity

The extent to which changes in the dependent variable can be attributed confidently only to the independent variable.

External Validity

The extent to which a relation demonstrated in one context is produced or replicated in other contexts or settings; also known as generalization.

Baseline Logic

A feature of single-case experimental design where individuals serve as their own controls.

Comparative Analysis

The evaluation of two or more independent variables to determine which intervention is more effective or produces a better response rate.