Chp 3

Question 1

Group experimental designs

Answer 1

Evaluate if the behavior of a treatment group (independent variable ON) is statistically significantly different from that of a control group (independent variable OFF).
Used in clinical behavior analysis

Question 2

Weaknesses of group experimental designs

Answer 2

1. When the independent variable is therapy, no one wants to be assigned to control group
2. Focusing on group behavior means we aren’t studying individual behavior
3. The behavior of the treatment and control group will differ simply bc the people assigned to the 2 groups are different
4. Reliance on inferential stats to evaluate if independent variable changed behavior

Question 3

Single subject experimental design

Answer 3

Exposes individuals to baseline (independent variable OFF) and experimental (independent variable ON) phases to determine if the independent variable systematically and reliable changes behavior.

Question 4

Internal validity

Answer 4

When an experiment provides clear evidence that a functional relation exists between the independent variable and behavior change

Question 5

Confounds

Answer 5

Variables that influence behavior within an experiment but aren’t controlled by the researcher

Question 6

Types of single subject experiments

Answer 6

1. Comparison design (A-B)
2. Reversal design (A-B-A)
3. Alternating treatments design
4. Multiple baseline designs

Question 7

Comparison design (A-B)

Answer 7

Simplest single subject design that arranges a baseline (A) phase (independent variable OFF), and experimental (B) phase (independent variable ON). aka quasi-experiment

Question 8

Baseline phase

Answer 8

Phase allows for accurate predictions of future behaviors. During Baseline the independent variable is OFF so researchers can base research off the baseline.

Question 9

Behavior is stable when

Answer 9

Over repeated observations, there is little bounce (variability) and no systemic trend

Question 10

Reversal design (A-B-A)

Answer 10

The individual’s behavior is evaluated in repeatedly alternating baseline (A) and experimental (B) phases. Better equipped to rule out confounds

Question 11

Alternating treatments design

Answer 11

The independent variable is turned ON and OFF rapidly to evaluate if this systematically and repeatedly changes behavior. Used to evaluate relations between hs behavior and 1+ independent variables.

Question 12

Multiple baseline design

Answer 12

Evaluates the functional relation between an independent variable and behavior by conducting a series of time-staggered A-B comparisons either across behaviors, across situations, or across individuals.

Question 13

4 defining features of single subject experimental designs

Answer 13

1. The focus is on the behavior of individuals not groups
2. Each subject experiences the baseline and experimental (intervention) phases.
3. Behavior is measured repeatedly in each phase until confident predictions about behavior may be made
4. Internal validity is assessed through replication and evaluating the functional role of confounded variables

Question 14

3 kinds of replication in single subject experiments

Answer 14

1. Within individual replication
2. Across-individual rep
3. Rep across labs or clinics

Question 15

Objective decision-rules in answering ‘did behavior change?’

Answer 15

1. Inferential statistics
2. Visual analysis of behavior

Question 16

Inferential statistics

Answer 16

Scientists conduct experiment and enter data into a computer and computer uses stats to report the results.
problems: the need for greater transparency (asking scientists exactly how the experiment was conducted), it requires a lot of participants, and it isn’t used w time-series data

Question 17

Visual analysis

Answer 17

Involves looking at a graph of time-series single subject behavior to evaluate if a convincing change occurred when the independent variable was introduced/removed

Question 18

Advantages to visual analysis

Answer 18

1. It requires methods for producing large changes in behavior, obvious changes
2. It recognizes the inherent subjectivity of the science enterprise

Question 19

2 patterns of change

Answer 19

1. Trend (a systematic change in behavior over time)
2. Level (the prevalence of the behavior during the stable portion of a phase/condition)

Question 20

Relation between bounce & trend/level

Answer 20

Minimal bounce in the graph makes the trend and level obvious.
The trend and level change must be large relative to the bounce)

Question 21

Guidelines for visual analysis

Answer 21

1. Draw a trend arrow through the baseline data to predict what will happen if the independent variable is never turned ON
2. Evaluate if behavior in baseline is too variable (bouncy) to have confidence in the prediction of the trend arrow
3. Draw trend or level lines through the intervention data. Evaluate if there is a convincing change in trend or level (whichever change is of interest)