Measurement Flashcards
What are three dimensional qualities that can be measured?
Repeatability, Temporal Extent, Temporal Locus`
What is the AKA for Repeatability?
Countability
What is repeatability?
When a behavior can be counted. Instances of a response class occur repeatedly through time
What are three types of Repeatability Measures?
Count, Rate and Celeration
What is count?
Add up the behaviors or items. Best used when the time is the observation is constant
What does count tell us about a behavior intervention program?
Not a lot. On it’s own, doesn’t give us the information we need.
What is rate?
This is added up behaviors over time. This is also known as Frequency
What is the most popular data method in ABA?
Rate/Frequency
In what ways can you represent frequency?
per second, per minute, per hour, per day, per week, per month, per year.
What happens if the unit of time is not standard throughout a study?
Then a comparison cannot be made
When should you use rate?
When you are using a free operant behavior: has a definite beginning and end.
When should you NOT use rate?
If the behavior happens within limited/restricted conditions or is a continuous behavior that goes on for a while
What is celeration?
Count per unit of time/time or Frequency/time. This measures how rates of responding change over time.
How many measures of rate is recommended for celeration?
7
What is temporal extent?
Duration of behavior
When do you use duration?
When you are interested in how long the behavior takes place. This could be used for behaviors that happen too much or too little.
What are two methods for calculating duration?
Total Duration per session, duration-per-occurence
What is total duration per session?
Cumulative amount of time that the client engages in the behavior in the total session.
What is duration per occurrence?
The Duration of time each behavior occurs, standing alone.
What is temporal locus?
Measuring the time at which behavior occurs. Looks at when a behavior occurs in respect to other events.
What are two types of Temporal Locus Measures?
response Latency, Interresponse Time
What is Latency?
The amount of time that passes between an Sd and a response.
When should you use latency?
when you are looking at how much time occurs between the opportunity to emit a behavior and the actual behavior
What is Interresponse time?
The amount of time that goes by between responses. This is functionally related to rate of response.
When should Interresponse time be used?
When the time between responses is important.
What are two derrivative measures?
Percentage and Trial-to-Criterion.
What is the recommended minimum observation intervals for percentage?
30!
What are advantages of percentages?
You can use it when you want to document the correct percentage
What are disadvantages of percentages?
Cannot be used to record proficiency or fluency, imposes lower and upper limits on data
What is trials to criterion?
How many opportunities it takes to reach a set criteria
What elements of measurement can you use when calculating trials to criterion?
count, rate, duration and latency
What are two definitional measures?
Topography and magnitude
What is topography?
The form or shape of a response.
When do you use topography?
When the form (what the behavior looks like) matters. (i.e. playing basketball, etc.)
Why is topography said to be a malleable dimension of behavior?
Responses can be shaped by consquences
What is the relationship between topographies and functions?
They isn’t one! Behaviors can have different topographies but the same function or vice-versa.
What is magnitude?
The force, intensity or severity of a behavior.
What is continuous Measurement procedure?
Measuring so that all instances of the behavior in question are detected in the observation period.
What data collection methods are considered continuous?
Event recording (frequency, rate), Timings (duration, IRT
What are some advantages to Continuous Methods?
Useful for behaviors that have a clear beginning and end
free operant
behaviors that can be emitted at any time.
Does not require much time for completeion
What are some disadvantages for continuous methods?
Not useful for bx that occurs at high rates
measured via discrete trial
Bx that is opportunity based
Bx that can occur for an extended period of time.
What is discontinuous measurement procedures?
A type of measurment in which some aspects of the behavior may not be captured.
What are some examples of discontinuous measures?
Time Sampling, interval recording
what are some advantages of discontinuous measures?
Useful for behaviors that occur at high rates, long durations of time, measured via discrete trial/percentage
What are some disadvantages of discontinuous measures?
No useful for behaviors that are free operant, important to capture all aspects, require constant attending
What are three procedures for measuring behavior?
Event Recording, Timing, Time Sampling
What is event recording?
Recording the number of time an event happens.
How can you use event recording?
Paper and pencil, counter, masking tape, buttons, etc.
What is a free operant behavior?
One that has a clear beginning and end