ABA Research, Analysis, and Intervention 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A behavior analyst wants to evaluate the social validity of an intervention. The most appropriate source of information is:
- Published effect-size norms from the behavior analytic literature
- Ratings from the consumer, caregivers, and other relevant stakeholders (Correct answer)
- Inter-observer agreement percentages collected across all sessions
- Visual analysis of the graph performed by two independent analysts
Correct answer: Ratings from the consumer, caregivers, and other relevant stakeholders
Social validity is assessed by soliciting opinions from consumers, caregivers, and the community about goals, procedures, and outcomes.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the concept of a 'bidirectional' functional relationship in behavior analysis?
- A behavior controlled by two independent reinforcement contingencies simultaneously
- A relationship where manipulating the independent variable changes the dependent variable in a predictable, reproducible way (Correct answer)
- An operant that functions as both stimulus and response in the same chain
- A verbal behavior episode where speaker and listener roles alternate rapidly
Correct answer: A relationship where manipulating the independent variable changes the dependent variable in a predictable, reproducible way
A bidirectional functional relationship means the dependent variable reliably changes when the independent variable is introduced or removed, demonstrating experimental control.
Question 3: When conducting interval recording, partial-interval recording tends to __________ the true frequency of behavior, while whole-interval recording tends to __________.
- Overestimate; underestimate (Correct answer)
- Underestimate; overestimate
- Overestimate; overestimate
- Underestimate; underestimate
Correct answer: Overestimate; underestimate
Partial-interval recording scores an interval if behavior occurs at any point (inflates estimates), while whole-interval requires behavior throughout (deflates estimates).
Question 4: A BCBA uses a paired-stimulus preference assessment and finds that Item A is chosen 95% of the time over all other items. To confirm Item A functions as a reinforcer, the next step is:
- Administer another preference assessment one week later to verify stability
- Conduct a reinforcer assessment by contingently delivering Item A for a target response and measuring response rate change (Correct answer)
- Survey caregivers about whether the client typically requests Item A at home
- Calculate the Pearson correlation between preference rankings and historical performance data
Correct answer: Conduct a reinforcer assessment by contingently delivering Item A for a target response and measuring response rate change
A reinforcer assessment verifies that the preferred item actually strengthens behavior by demonstrating increased response rates when it is delivered contingently.
Question 5: In single-case research, the term 'replication' within the same study (i.e., intra-subject replication) refers to:
- Running identical experiments with a new group of participants
- Observing the same behavior change repeat across phases or tiers within the same participant or study (Correct answer)
- Publishing the study again in a different journal with updated data
- Repeating IOA checks on randomly selected sessions throughout the study
Correct answer: Observing the same behavior change repeat across phases or tiers within the same participant or study
Intra-subject replication demonstrates the reliability of a functional relationship by showing that behavior changes consistently whenever the independent variable is applied or removed.
Question 6: Which data display format is MOST appropriate for showing the proportion of time a learner spends in each of several mutually exclusive behavioral categories during an observation session?
- Standard line graph with separate paths for each category
- Cumulative record plotted on semi-logarithmic paper
- Pie chart or stacked bar chart showing percentage of total observation time (Correct answer)
- Scatterplot with session number on the x-axis and rate on the y-axis
Correct answer: Pie chart or stacked bar chart showing percentage of total observation time
Pie charts and stacked bar charts efficiently display proportional data, making them suitable for showing how total observation time is distributed across mutually exclusive categories.
Question 7: A researcher identifies a 'confound' in their ABAB reversal design because a new teacher began working with the student at the start of the second B phase. This confound threatens which type of validity?
- Social validity
- External validity
- Internal validity (Correct answer)
- Concurrent validity
Correct answer: Internal validity
Internal validity refers to whether the independent variable — not some extraneous variable like a new teacher — caused the observed change in behavior.
ABA Research, Analysis, and Intervention 4
A behavior analyst wants to evaluate the social validity of an intervention.
The most appropriate source of information is: