Measurement and Data Collection Flashcards
7 cards from real ABAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Measurement and Data Collection flashcards as text
Observer drift is defined as:
Answer: Gradual, unaware changes in an observer's application of measurement criteria over time
Observer drift occurs when an observer's behavioral definitions slowly shift from the originally trained standard without the observer realizing it.
The most effective strategy to detect and correct observer drift is:
Answer: Scheduling periodic retraining sessions and IOA checks throughout the study
Regular IOA assessments and recalibration against the original operational definitions identify drift early and allow correction before data quality is compromised.
Reactivity in behavioral measurement means that:
Answer: The behavior changes as a direct result of being observed or measured
Reactivity is a measurement artifact in which the observation process itself alters the rate or form of the behavior being measured.
Permanent product recording measures:
Answer: Physical outcomes or artifacts that persist after the behavior ends
Permanent product recording assesses the lasting physical results of behavior (e.g., completed worksheets, items assembled) rather than the behavior itself.
Which of the following is a key advantage of permanent product recording?
Answer: The observer does not need to be present when the behavior occurs
Because permanent products persist after the behavior ends, an observer can evaluate them at any convenient time without needing to witness the behavior directly.
A behavior analyst notices that a student's disruptive behavior drops sharply whenever an observer enters the room but returns to baseline when the observer leaves. This is best described as:
Answer: Reactivity
When the presence of the observer (rather than any intervention) causes the change in behavior, that constitutes reactivity — a threat to measurement validity.
Social validity assessment in ABA is conducted to evaluate:
Answer: Whether behavior change goals, procedures, and outcomes are acceptable and meaningful to stakeholders
Social validity examines whether the intervention's goals, methods, and outcomes are viewed as important and acceptable by clients, families, and the broader community.