BCABA Experimental Design and Research Methods 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which experimental design involves repeatedly alternating between baseline and treatment conditions to demonstrate experimental control?
- Multiple baseline design
- Changing criterion design
- Reversal (ABAB) design (Correct answer)
- Alternating treatments design
Correct answer: Reversal (ABAB) design
The reversal (ABAB) design demonstrates experimental control by withdrawing and reinstating treatment and observing corresponding behavior changes.
Question 2: In a multiple baseline design across behaviors, a functional relation is demonstrated when:
- All baselines change simultaneously
- Behavior changes only when the intervention is introduced to each successive behavior (Correct answer)
- One behavior changes before the intervention
- Baselines remain stable throughout the study
Correct answer: Behavior changes only when the intervention is introduced to each successive behavior
Staggered introduction of the intervention to each behavior, with change occurring only at that point, demonstrates experimental control in a multiple baseline design.
Question 3: The alternating treatments design (ATD) is most useful for comparing:
- One treatment across multiple participants
- Two or more treatments within the same participant (Correct answer)
- A treatment against a no-treatment control
- Pre and post intervention outcomes
Correct answer: Two or more treatments within the same participant
The ATD rapidly alternates two or more conditions within the same participant, allowing direct comparison of treatment effects.
Question 4: In single-subject research, 'experimental control' is demonstrated when:
- The participant improves over time
- Behavior changes reliably correspond to changes in the independent variable (Correct answer)
- IOA exceeds 80%
- The behavior reaches the criterion level
Correct answer: Behavior changes reliably correspond to changes in the independent variable
Experimental control means that the independent variable (treatment) is the reason for observed behavior change, shown through systematic replication.
Question 5: A changing criterion design is particularly well suited for:
- Comparing two interventions
- Shaping behavior toward a terminal goal in graduated steps (Correct answer)
- Reversing an unwanted behavior
- Testing generalization across settings
Correct answer: Shaping behavior toward a terminal goal in graduated steps
The changing criterion design demonstrates control by requiring behavior to match each successively more stringent criterion before advancing.
Question 6: Baseline logic in single-subject research serves to:
- Predict what behavior would have been without treatment (Correct answer)
- Measure treatment fidelity
- Calculate social validity
- Assess IOA
Correct answer: Predict what behavior would have been without treatment
Baseline data establish a prediction of future behavior in the absence of treatment, against which intervention effects are compared.
BCABA Experimental Design and Research Methods 1
Which experimental design involves repeatedly alternating between baseline and treatment conditions to demonstrate experimental control?