ABAT Foundational Knowledge 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which data collection method records whether a target behavior occurred at least once during a specific time interval?
- Whole-interval recording
- Partial-interval recording (Correct answer)
- Momentary time sampling
- Frequency recording
Correct answer: Partial-interval recording
Partial-interval recording scores an interval as positive if the behavior occurs at any point during that interval.
Question 2: A behavior analyst wants to measure the length of time between the presentation of an instruction and the learner's response. Which measurement dimension is being captured?
- Duration
- Latency (Correct answer)
- Inter-response time
- Frequency
Correct answer: Latency
Latency measures the elapsed time from the onset of an antecedent stimulus to the initiation of the response.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes inter-observer agreement (IOA)?
- The consistency of a single observer across sessions
- The degree to which two independent observers record the same data (Correct answer)
- The accuracy of a measurement device
- The stability of behavior over time
Correct answer: The degree to which two independent observers record the same data
IOA assesses the reliability of measurement by comparing data from two independent observers recording simultaneously.
Question 4: Momentary time sampling records behavior:
- Every time it occurs throughout the session
- During the entire interval if it occurs at all
- Only at the moment the interval ends (Correct answer)
- Whenever the duration exceeds a set criterion
Correct answer: Only at the moment the interval ends
Momentary time sampling records whether the behavior is occurring exactly at the moment the interval ends (the sample point).
Question 5: A graph that displays cumulative responses over time, with slope indicating response rate, is called a:
- Bar graph
- Pie chart
- Cumulative record (Correct answer)
- Scatter plot
Correct answer: Cumulative record
A cumulative record plots total responses over time; a steeper slope indicates a higher rate of responding.
Question 6: Which measurement approach would be MOST appropriate for tracking aggression that varies in intensity and duration?
- Frequency count only
- Permanent product recording
- Duration recording with severity rating (Correct answer)
- Whole-interval recording
Correct answer: Duration recording with severity rating
Duration recording combined with a severity rating captures both how long aggressive episodes last and their intensity.
Question 7: In ABA, a 'trial' most commonly refers to:
- A single instance of the antecedent–behavior–consequence sequence (Correct answer)
- A full therapy session
- A week-long data collection period
- A type of punishment procedure
Correct answer: A single instance of the antecedent–behavior–consequence sequence
A trial is a discrete antecedent–behavior–consequence (A-B-C) sequence used as the basic unit of instruction in ABA.
ABAT Foundational Knowledge 3
Which data collection method records whether a target behavior occurred at least once during a specific time interval?