BAS Research Methods and Evidence 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher uses a changing criterion design to teach a student to increase reading fluency. What is the defining feature of this design?
- Performance criterion shifts in a stepwise fashion toward the terminal goal (Correct answer)
- Baseline and treatment phases alternate repeatedly
- Multiple behaviors are introduced sequentially across phases
- The intervention is withdrawn to demonstrate experimental control
Correct answer: Performance criterion shifts in a stepwise fashion toward the terminal goal
Changing criterion designs shape behavior by progressively shifting the criterion for reinforcement toward a terminal goal.
Question 2: Which of the following is the best example of an operational definition in behavior analysis research?
- Aggression is defined as any behavior that harms others
- Aggression is defined as hitting with an open or closed hand to any body part lasting at least 0.5 seconds (Correct answer)
- Aggression includes biting, hitting, and emotional outbursts
- Aggression is measured on a scale from mild to severe
Correct answer: Aggression is defined as hitting with an open or closed hand to any body part lasting at least 0.5 seconds
An operational definition must be observable, measurable, and specific enough to allow consistent recording by independent observers.
Question 3: A supervisor reviews data showing high inter-rater reliability but notices the observer consistently records behavior 2 seconds late. This is an example of which measurement issue?
- Low social validity
- Observer drift
- Systematic measurement error (Correct answer)
- Reactivity
Correct answer: Systematic measurement error
Systematic measurement error occurs when observers consistently deviate from the true value in the same direction, even if they agree with each other.
Question 4: In a withdrawal design, an experimenter removes the intervention during the B phase and behavior returns to baseline levels. This return is called:
- Extinction burst
- Reversal (Correct answer)
- Replication
- Generalization
Correct answer: Reversal
When behavior returns toward baseline levels after treatment withdrawal, it is called a reversal, demonstrating the treatment's effect.
Question 5: Which experimental design is MOST appropriate when the behavior targeted for intervention is irreversible?
- ABAB withdrawal design
- Multiple baseline design (Correct answer)
- Alternating treatments design
- Reversal design
Correct answer: Multiple baseline design
Multiple baseline designs do not require withdrawal of treatment, making them suitable for behaviors that cannot ethically or practically be reversed.
Question 6: A researcher calculates IOA by dividing the number of agreements by agreements plus disagreements, then multiplying by 100. Which IOA method is being used?
- Exact agreement (Correct answer)
- Proportional agreement
- Trial-by-trial agreement
- Occurrence/non-occurrence agreement
Correct answer: Exact agreement
Exact agreement (also called point-by-point agreement) compares intervals or trials one-by-one and divides agreements by total opportunities.
Question 7: A behavior analyst wants to compare the effectiveness of two reinforcement schedules simultaneously within the same session. Which design is most appropriate?
- Multiple baseline across behaviors
- ABAB withdrawal design
- Alternating treatments design (Correct answer)
- Changing criterion design
Correct answer: Alternating treatments design
Alternating treatments designs rapidly alternate between two or more conditions within or across sessions to compare their relative effects.
BAS Research Methods and Evidence 2
A researcher uses a changing criterion design to teach a student to increase reading fluency.
What is the defining feature of this design?