Data Collection and Analysis

Reliability

Reliability refers to the consistency of a

measurement. A reliable measurement
procedure will produce the same results
repeatedly when the conditions are
unchanged. In behavior analysis,
reliability is essential to ensure that data
collected truly represents the behavior
being measured over time.

validity Validity is whether or not you measured

what was intended to be measured. It has
nothing to do with how you measure
something but simply that you measured
what you were supposed to.

Operational definitions An operational definition describes

behavior so that it is observable and
measurable. It is written so that anyone
who reads the definition will easily be able
to identify if the behavior is occurring or
not.

Preference assessment A preference assessment is a tool used

to guide practitioners in providing
reinforcement to a client to increase the
future probability of a behaviour.

Free Operant Free operant observation method is that the

 more time a client spends on a particular
activity indicates more preference for that
activity. For example, if the client spent 40
minutes watching TV and 30 minutes reading,
then watching TV would be considered more
highly preferred than reading.

Single stimulus One stimulus is presented at a time, and the

individual's reaction (e.g., approach,
engagement, or rejection) to the stimulus is
recorded.

Multiple stimulus with replacement An array of stimuli is presented, and the

individual selects one. The selected stimulus
is returned to the array for subsequent trials.

Multiple Stimulus without Replacement An array of stimuli is presented, and the

individual selects one. The selected stimulus
is not returned to the array, and the
remaining items are presented in subsequent
trials.

Paired stimulus Two stimuli are presented simultaneously,

and the individual is asked to choose one.
Each stimulus is paired with all others in
the set systematically.
Self-monitoring The process of measuring and
monitoring one's own behavior. This
can sometimes produce behavior change
without additional intervention even
though the person is technically just
counting and recording behavior, not
changing the environment in which it
occurs.

ABC What is ABC in behavior Analysis

A - Antecedent - the events that occurs

before the behavior.

B- Behavior - Anything the child does that

are measurable
 C - Consequence - the response that
immediately follows the behavior

Environmental evaluation This is a type of assessment that gathers

information about the client and their
environment in which they live or work
and the people they interact with.

Types of measurement,
Continuous and Discontinuous
Measurement

Continuous Measurement:

● Definition: Measures every instance of a

behavior throughout a specified time
period (e.g., during a class, session, or
day).
● Example: Counting each time a student
raises their hand during a lesson.

Discontinuous Measurement:

● Definition: Divides observation into

intervals and records whether a behavior
occurred during some or all of each
interval.
● Example: Observing a student for
10-minute intervals and noting whether
they were on-task at any point within each
interval.

Frequency/event recording The frequency/event recording method

involves counting and recording the
number of times a behavior happens

Duration Duration recording allows you to record

 how long a behavior lasts.

Latency Latency is the time between the

presentation of the SD and the start of a
response. It’s the time between the
instruction and the start of a response.

Rate Rate is frequency divided by time. Rate is

Response/time.

IRT IRT, or interresponse time, is the time in

between two responses

Whole Interval The observation period is divided into a

series of brief time intervals (typically from
5 to 15 seconds). At the end of each
interval, the observer records whether
the target behavior occurred
throughout the entire interval. Bx has to
occur the whole interval.

Partial Interval
The observation period is divided into a
series of brief time intervals (typically
from 5 to 10 seconds). The observer
records whether the target behavior
occurred at any time during the
interval. (% intervals occurred/ total
number of intervals)
Momentary time sampling Momentary Time Sampling: Recorder
notes whether the behavior happens at
the moment each interval ends. Not
recommended for low frequency, short

duration behaviors.

Indirect data recording This method uses structured interviews,

checklists etc to obtain info from person
who are familiar with the person exhibiting
the problem bx

Graphs; Graphing in Applied Behavior Analysis is

how we determine if the treatment being
provided to your child is showing a
positive change.

Line Graph
Two-dimensional area formed by
intersecting lines
Points on the plane represent
relationships
Level of the dependent variable when the
independent variable was in effect
Comparisons of data points reveals the
presence or absence of changes in level,
trend, and/or variability

Scatterplot, A procedure for recording the extent to

which a target behavior occurs more often
at particular times than others.
 Bar Graph A simple and versatile graphic format
for summarizing behavioral data;
shares most of the line graph's.

Cumulative Graph Number of responses recorded and

added to the total number of responses
recorded during previous observations
IOA The degree to which two or more

observers report the same values after

measuring the same events. It is the most
commonly used indicator of measurement
quality in ABA therapy.

Data Collection and Analysis