Task List D Experimental Design

Question 1

Which experimental design would one use when working between two subjects to analyze the effects of time-out (TO) and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) treatment conditions?

A. Multiple baseline
B. Multiple probe
C. Alternating treatments
D. Multiple baseline with reversal tactics

Answer 1

D. Multiple baseline with reversal tactics

Explanation: When working across subjects a practitioner must use a multiple baseline design. Then for this scenario the practitioner would utilize a DRO reversal technique to test and compare both the TO treatment condition and the DRO treatment condition. Experimental designs combining multiple baselines and/or multielement tactics can provide the basis for
comparing the effects of two or more independent variables. Cooper 3rd ed. pg.220.

Question 2

A fifth grade teacher is teaching her students mastery in learning addition problems. There is no set criteria of when to move onto the lesson. Which experimental design would be the least likely to use:

A. Multiple baseline across subjects
B. Changing criterion
C. A-B-A-B design
D. Multiple baseline across settings

Answer 2

C. A-B-A-B design

Explanation: When learning new skills that cannot be reversed (cannot be unlearned) you cannot use a reversal design. In this case, once addition problems are taught that skill CANNOT be reversed therefore; the experimental design that is least likely to be used would be an A-B-A-B reversal design. Cooper 3rd ed. Pg. 172.

Question 3

Sammy hits her head over 2,000 times a day. After a functional analysis, the BCBA determined the function of her behavior was escape. Which experimental design would be the least likely to use:

A. Alternating treatment
B. Multiple baseline
C. Withdrawal
D. Changing criterion

Answer 3

C. Withdrawal

Explanation: In this scenario, Sammy is hitting her head at a very extreme rate, therefore; it would be unethical to reverse the intervention put into place to decrease or eliminate this behavior. Therefore; the experimental design that would be least likely to use would be a
withdrawal design as you would NOT withdraw this intervention. Cooper, 3rd ed. Pg.172.

Question 4

Mrs. Cheeseburger adopted a new curriculum for her special education students during reading. The students need to have a standard baseline of reading 15 words per minute. The program suggests that for each additional 5 words read, over 3 to 5 days, the student can move up to the next level. Which experimental design would you use?

A. Multiple baseline across subjects
B. Multiple baseline across settings
C. Changing criterion
D. Cumulative record

Answer 4

C. Changing criterion

Explanation: A changing criterion design can be used to evaluate the effects of a treatment in a graduated manner. The behaviors displayed comfort to a new criterion level. As stated in this scenario, a changing criterion design has a baseline phase and a treatment phase in which the client can move up to the next criterion after reaching a mastery level across set days. This is exemplified in this scenario question as the baseline of 15 words per minute is stated and the next criterion is stated as they mention the student can move up to the next “level.” Cooper, 3rd ed. pg.209

Question 5

A student in a residential setting has extremely aggressive behaviors. The student will lash out at any given moment, with no clear antecedent. The behaviors are dangerous to the student as well as the staff who works with the student. Which experimental design
would be best to implement.

A. Multiple baseline across settings
B. A-B-A design
C. B-A-B design
D. Multiple baseline across subjects

Answer 5

C. B-A-B design

Explanation: The B-A-B design begins with the application of the independent variable: the treatment. Therefore, this design is appropriate with target behaviors that result in physical harm or danger to the participant or to others. In such instances, withholding a possibly effective treatment until a stable pattern of baseline responding can be obtained may present an ethical problem. Cooper, 3rd ed. pg.174

Question 6

When conducting a functional analysis, which experimental design would you use?

A. Reversal design
B. Alternating treatment
C. Multiple baseline across subjects/settings
D. A-B-C-D-A-B-C-D design

Answer 6

B. Alternating treatment

Explanation: An alternating treatment design displays a functional analysis because it is able to display up to four treatments running at the same time. The alternating treatment design compares two or more treatments while their effects on the target behavior are measured. When conducting a functional analysis this design is most suitable as it allows the practitioners to compare the results of the FA conditions. Cooper, 3rd. Ed. pg 191.

Question 7

Which is the most widely used experimental design in Applied Behavior Analysis?

A. Alternating treatment
B. Multiple baseline across subjects
C. Multiple baseline across settings
D. Reversal design

Answer 7

B. Multiple baseline across subjects

Explanation: A multiple baseline design can be utilized across participants, behaviors or settings. The multiple baseline across behaviors design is a multiple baseline design in which the treatment variable is applied on two or more treatment behaviors of the same subject in the same setting. This is the only experimental design that represents treatments across behaviors. It is a highly flexible tactic that enables researchers and practitioners to analyze the effects of an independent variable across multiple behaviors, settings and/or subjects without having to withdraw the treatment variable to verify that the improvements of behavior were a direct result of the treatment. Cooper, 3rd. Ed., pg. 193

Question 8

When visually analyzing an experimental design, you would look at

A. Level, data points, trend
B. Level, trend, variability
C. Trend, variability, data points
D. X-axis, Y-axis, data points

Answer 8

B. Level, trend, variability

Explanation: When conducting a visual analysis within conditions it is imperative to analyze the level, tend and variability of the data, Data within an given condition are examined to determine (a) the number of data points, (b) the nature and extent of variability in the data and © the absolute and relative level of the behavioral measure and (d) the direction and degree of any trends in the data. Cooper 3rd. Ed., pg.146.

Question 9

Question 9 of Task List D ABA Mindset could not be copied due to a graph

Question 10

Latoya a BCBA used a multiple baseline design across participants to analyze the effects of verbal operant training on appropriate vocalizations and vocal stereotypy. Latoya then implemented response interruption and redirection (RIRD) which was examined using a reversal design for each participant exposed to their procedure. This is referred to as:

A. Multiple treatment interference
B. Combinations of design elements
C. Multiple treatment reversal technique
D. Varied experimental analysis

Answer 10

C. Multiple treatment reversal technique

Explanation: In the scenario the first portion explains that Latoya is using a multiple baseline across participants while the second portion discusses the use of a reversal design to test RIRD. When using both of these experimental designs, Latoya is taking advantage of the flexibility practitioners have when utilizing experimental designs. While answer B is not incorrect per say, the exam is looking for a more specific answer which would be multiple treatment reversal techniques. This is what we call using more than one experimental design when one of them is a reversal design which is represented in this scenario. Cooper, 3rd. Ed. pg. 220.

Question 11

In a single subject design, the subject acts his/her own________.

A. Control
B. Experiment
C. Intervention
D. Variable

Answer 11

A. Control

Explanation: Single-subject design in ABA seeks to analyze subjects individually because group design masks individual progress. When analyzing human behavior in which the subject serves as his/her own control, we can analyze individual progress rather than utilizing another individual/group as the control. Cooper, 3rd ed. pg.218.

Question 12

Single-subject designs are also known as ________________.

A. Control designs
B. Dependent Designs
C. Controlled Designs
D. Within-Subject Designs

Answer 12

D. Within-Subject Designs

Explanation: In experimental analysis it is important to be knowledgeable of words that are “also known as” other words (AKA’s). This is particularly important in experimental design. The AKA’s for single subject designs are: single-case designs, single-subject designs, intra-subject designs and within subject designs. Cooper, 3rd Ed., pg.159-160.

Question 13

Three parts of baseline logic called:

A. Prediction, Verification, Replication
B. Ascending, descending, stable
C. Data, lines, level
D. Stable, constant, level

Answer 13

A. Prediction, Verification, Replication

Explanation: Baseline logic is a term used to refer to the experimental reasoning inherent in single-subject experimental designs; entails three elements; prediction, verification and replication.Cooper, 3rd ed, pg. 163.

Question 14

What is a disadvantage to using multiple baseline designs?

A. Multiple baseline designs compare more than one subject
B. Multiple baseline designs do not have the intervention
withdrawn
C. Are easy to use
D. May take more time and resources than other designs

Answer 14

D. May take more time and resources than other designs

Explanation: It can be considerably costly to implement a multiple baseline design when behaviors need to be observed and measured in various settings. Therefore; the multiple baseline design may take more time and resources than other designs which can be a disadvantage compared to other experimental designs. Cooper, 3rd ed., pg. 209.

Question 15

Which design is presented in a stepwise fashion and each phase acts as baseline for the following phase?

A. Multiple baseline
B. Alternating treatment
C. Changing criterion
D. Reversal/withdrawal

Answer 15

C. Changing criterion

Explanation: A changing criterion design is a variation of multiple baseline design. It is applied in a graduated, stepwise fashion to a single target behavior. The design requires initial baseline observations on a single target behavior. The baseline is followed by implementation of a treatment program in each of the series of treatment phases. Each treatment phase is associated with a stepwise change in criterion rate for the target behavior. Thus, each phase of the design provides a baseline for the following phase. When the rate of the target behavior changes with each stepwise change in the criterion, therapeutic change is replicated and experimental control is demonstrated. Cooper, 3rd ed. Pg.209.

Question 16

Question 16 of ABAMindset Task List D could not be copied due to a graph

Question 17

Alexis wants to see which intervention works best for his client. His client engages in spontaneous biting behaviors. He administers 3 different interventions across 6 different sessions, rotating the inventions every third session. Alex never returns to baseline. Which experimental design would best show which intervention was effective?

A. Reversal/withdraw
B. Changing criterion
C. Alternating treatment
D. Multiple baseline

Answer 17

C. Alternating treatment

Explanation: Alternating treatments design is characterized by rapid alternation of two or more distinct treatments while their effects on target behavior are measured. The different interventions in this design are manipulated independent of the level of responding. As we see in this scenario, Alex wants to see which intervention works best with his client and to do so he alternates 3 different interventions. He does so across 6 different sessions, which is applicable to alternating treatments design because a practitioner can alternate interventions within short time frames (ie: 15 minutes) or longer time frames (ie: over days/sessions). Cooper, 3rd ed., pg.181.

Question 18

A visual inspection of an experimental design shows a functional relationship between the independent and the dependent variable.

A. Control
B. Interval validity
C. Visual analysis
D. Reliability

Answer 18

B. Interval validity

Explanation: Internal validity in experimental design refers to the analysis of the function relationship between the IV and DV to ensure that the change in target behavior is in fact a result of the intervention being applied and not a result of confounding or extraneous variables. Experiments that show a clear functional relationship have a high internal validity. Cooper, 3rd ed. Pg. 224.

Question 19

Question 19 of ABAMindset Task List D could not be copied due to a graph

Question 20

Functional relations that are replicated in different environments yet exactly how it was previously represented.

A. Measurement bias
B. Technological
C. External validity
D. Systematic replication

Answer 20

C. External validity

Explanation: External validity refers to the degree in which a functional relationship found reliable and socially valid in a given experiment operates under different conditions. This refers to replicating the experiment. There are two types of external validity: systematic replication and direct replication. Systematic replication is when the practitioner replications the experiment but systematically changes an aspect of it. Direct replication is when the practitioner replicates the experiment exactly how it was implemented. Since direct replication was not an answer option, the BEST answer would be the general term external validity. Cooper, 3rd ed. pg.237-238.

Question 21

Antonio is a BCBA. After discussing concerns about a resident in a group home, he decided to take baseline data on inappropriate behaviors. Antonio implemented a creative intervention that he was sure would work. After showing a steady baseline on the inappropriate behaviors during the times these behaviors occurred, he decided to implement the intervention during activities the resident thought were fun and entertaining. The experimental design Antonio chose showed the intervention was effective however, the staff had doubts due to it being implemented during activities the inappropriate behaviors do not usually occur. What is the best answer to describe Antonio’s visual analysis?

A. A reversal design would be appropriate
B. Type I error
C. Clear trend and level
D. Treatment drift

Answer 21

B. Type I error

Explanation: A type I error refers to errors that occur in experimental design, this specific error is a false positive. This means that the practitioner thought the intervention worked when in truth it did not. According to this scenario the intervention was implemented when the problem behaviors were not occurring which indicates that according to a visual analysis of the data it would appear that the intervention worked, however; it was not applied at the correct time to target the target behaviors of interest so it, in fact, did not work. Hence this was a false positive. Cooper, 3rd ed. pg.243.

Question 22

Three parts to a changing criterion design are:

A. Length of each phase, magnitude of criteria, number of changes
B. Length of data, variability in data points, how many steps
C. Baseline, number of steps, number of data points
D. Increasing steps, decreasing steps, level differences

Answer 22

A. Length of each phase, magnitude of criteria, number of changes

Explanation: Changing criterion design as three main components which consist of the following: length of
each phase, magnitude of criteria, and number of criterion changes. Cooper, 3rd ed.pg. 183.

Question 23

The most simple, yet strongest experimental design is:

A. Alternating treatment
B. Changing criterion
C. Multiple baseline
D. Reversal Design

Answer 23

D. Reversal Design

Explanation: The strongest experimental design is the reversal design because it shows functional control with each reversal. The more reversals, the more experimental control/function relations. Functional relations are the strongest because they show that the change in behavior is a direct result on the intervention. This is determined when there is a return to baseline. Cooper, 3rd ed. pg.171-174.

Question 24

Erin took a baseline on Gio’s inappropriate behavior. Erin could not decide between 2 interventions so she implemented the interventions at a rapid pace, for a short time. Her visual analysis showed no improvement in Gio’s behavior. Which explanation would be the BEST answer to describe this?

A. Measurement bias
B. The interventions were implemented quickly
C. Sequence effects
D. Alternating treatment design

Answer 24

C. Sequence effects

Explanation: Sequence effects are the effects of a subject’s behavior in a given condition that are the result of a subject’s experience with a prior condition. In this scenario, the data was skewed due to sequence effects, a previous condition was affecting the next which is why there was no initial improvement in Gio’s behavior. Cooper, 3rd ed. pg.176.

Question 25

Heather showed an increase in head hitting behaviors. Her teacher, who is also a BCBA, wanted to see why Heather’s head hitting behaviors increased. Her teacher conducted a systematic variation of placing a demand, removing tangible items and allowing Heather to be alone. The teacher then recorded data on Heather’s responses over numerous opportunities. Which is the best experimental design to present this information?

A. Multiple schedule design
B. Reversal/withdrawal
C. A-B-A-B
D. Multiple baseline

Answer 25

A. Multiple schedule design

Explanation: Multiple schedule design is an AKA for alternating treatments design. In this scenario, a functional analysis is described, in order to display a functional analysis an alternating treatment design is utilized. This is because an alternating treatment design can display 2-4 behaviors being alternated simultaneously and independently. Cooper, 3rd ed. pg.181.

Question 26

Taylor is on medication, which he received from a doctor, because he engages in destructive
behaviors throughout the school day. Taylor has been engaging in destructive behaviors at a
higher rate than normal. His doctor wants to increase the dosage of his medication to see if it will
help Taylor control his destructive behaviors. What is the best explanation to describe this?

A. A-B-A-B design
B. Parametric analysis
C. Experimental design
D. Baseline logic

Answer 26

B. Parametric analysis

Explanation: A parametric analysis seeks to discover the differential effects of the range of values of the independent variable. In this given scenario the doctor wants to increase his medication dosage which would be analyzed as a range of value of the medication. Cooper, 3rd ed.,pg.161.

Question 27

Which is a disadvantage to multiple baseline design:

A. The intervention must be removed
B. Easy to implement
C. Evaluates generalization
D. Does not show a functional relationship

Answer 27

D. Does not show a functional relationship

Explanation: The functional relationship exists between the IV and the DV in multiple baseline but it is not seen in a visual analysis. It occurs when the baseline phase changes to the intervention phase. Cooper, 3rd. Ed. pg. 197-199.

Question 28

A BCBA wants to conduct baseline data on a student with disruptive behaviors. The teacher discussed concerns with the BCBA. Before the arrival of the teacher tells the student that The BCBA will be observing. The student does not show any disruptive behaviors while the BCBA is observing. This best describes:

A. Measurement bias
B. Observer drift
C. Observer reactivity
D. Non-parametric analysis

Answer 28

C. Observer reactivity

Explanation: Observer reactivity is the effects of the assessment process on the person being assessed. The client “reacts’’ to the observer’s presence. This may cause new or challenging behaviors to come about. A solution to observer reactivity is video recording that a practitioner can watch at a later time. Cooper, 3rd ed., pg.108.

Question 29

The university in a local town is conducting a series of interventions among a group of participants. The study is set to last 5 years. The first 2 years of the study, a visual analysis shows that a few interventions are more successful than other interventions. The following years, the interventions have shown to make no difference. The best explanation for this may be:

A. Subject confounds
B. Bootleg reinforcement
C. Behavior contrast
D. Subjects variability

Answer 29

A. Subject confounds

Explanation: This refers to the subject changing over the course of the study. In this scenario, the study lasted years; a person can change a lot over the course of a few years. Maturation is a direct result of subject confounds and essentially is when the subject matures over time so the intervention affects them differently than it did before. Cooper, 3rd ed. Pg. 225.

Question 30

Donnie conducted an FBA on Lacey’s tantrum behaviors involving crying fits and throwing items. The tantrum behaviors were determined to be controlled by access to attention. Donnie decided to implement the same intervention for each behavior, which experimental design is best for Donnie to use?

A. Multiple Probe
B. Alternating treatments
C. Reversal
D. Multiple baseline

Answer 30

D. Multiple baseline

Explanation: Implementing the same intervention for ] each behavior is specific to multiple baseline designs as this is the only design that will allow implementing the IV across behaviors. In doing so, the practitioner implements the same intervention across behaviors. Cooper, 3rd ed. Pg. 193.