ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Measurement and Data Collection Questions and Answers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Momentary time sampling is most likely to produce accurate estimates when behavior occurs:
- In very brief, infrequent bursts
- Continuously and at a steady state throughout the interval (Correct answer)
- In clusters at the beginning of sessions
- Only in response to specific antecedents
Correct answer: Continuously and at a steady state throughout the interval
Momentary time sampling is most accurate for behaviors that occur at a relatively steady, continuous rate across the observation period.
Question 2: Which of the following is an advantage of using permanent product recording?
- It captures the topography of the behavior in real time
- Data collection does not require the observer to be present during behavior (Correct answer)
- It measures the latency of each response precisely
- It is most suitable for behaviors with no lasting outcome
Correct answer: Data collection does not require the observer to be present during behavior
Permanent product recording measures the tangible outcomes of behavior after it occurs, so the observer need not watch the behavior happen.
Question 3: A practitioner records data only at the end of each 10-minute interval to note whether the target behavior is occurring at that exact moment. This is:
- Partial-interval recording
- Whole-interval recording
- Momentary time sampling (Correct answer)
- Duration recording
Correct answer: Momentary time sampling
Momentary time sampling records whether the behavior is occurring only at the precise moment the interval ends.
Question 4: When a data path shows high variability across sessions, the analyst should:
- Immediately change the intervention
- Examine potential sources of measurement error or inconsistent treatment implementation (Correct answer)
- Continue collecting data for at least six more months
- Discard the data and start over
Correct answer: Examine potential sources of measurement error or inconsistent treatment implementation
High variability often signals inconsistent procedures, measurement error, or environmental variables that should be investigated before changing the intervention.
Question 5: Which level of measurement allows for calculation of meaningful ratios, has a true zero, and supports all arithmetic operations?
- Nominal
- Ordinal
- Interval
- Ratio (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ratio
Ratio-level measurement has a true zero point, meaning zero represents the complete absence of the property being measured.
Question 6: A behavior analyst graphs cumulative response records. A steeper slope on this graph indicates:
- Longer duration per response
- A higher rate of responding (Correct answer)
- Greater response magnitude
- Increased latency between responses
Correct answer: A higher rate of responding
In a cumulative record, a steeper slope reflects more responses occurring in a shorter time, indicating a higher response rate.
Question 7: Which of the following scenarios would most warrant using duration recording rather than frequency recording?
- A child claps their hands during a song
- A student engages in prolonged out-of-seat behavior throughout the school day (Correct answer)
- A client produces a single vocal request
- A therapist counts the number of problem behaviors per hour
Correct answer: A student engages in prolonged out-of-seat behavior throughout the school day
Duration recording is most appropriate for continuous behaviors where how long the behavior lasts is more clinically relevant than how many times it occurs.
ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Measurement and Data Collection Questions and Answers 4
Momentary time sampling is most likely to produce accurate estimates when behavior occurs: