Unit 4 Flashcards
A systematic form of data examination
characterized by visual inspection of
graphical displays of those data.
Visual data analysis
- Taking an overview of an entire data display, noting its general characteristics.
- Specific data inspection and analysis
The Process of Visual Analysis
To answer 2 basic questions:
- Was there a meaningful change in behavior?
- To what extent can the change be attributable to a specific environmental change?
The Purpose of Visual Analysis
Embedded in text
Presented in summary form (usually numerically in a data table)
Graph
Types of data display
A relatively simple visual format for displaying data that provide visual representations of relationships between a series of measurements and relevant
variables
Graph
Equal interval line graph Cumulative records Bar graph (Histogram) Semi logarithmic graphs (standard celeration chart)
Graphic displays used in ABA
The most commonly used graph in ABA.
Based on a Cartesian plane, a two dimensional area formed by the intersection of two perpendicular lines (one vertical, one horizontal).
Equal interval line graph
Simple line graph
Any point within the plane of the chart represents a specific relationship between the two variables (dimensions) measured along each of the axis lines.
Describe Equal interval line graphs
Charting ABA data
To evaluate treatment effectiveness
Used in functional analyses
Common Uses of Line Graphs
Horizontal X-axis Vertical Y-axis Data points The data path Condition and phase change lines Condition and phase change labels Figure legend
Parts of an Equal Interval Line Graph
X-axis.
The abscissa
Represents the passage of time
Horizontal Axis
Y-axis
The ordinate
Represents the range of values of the dependent variable
Vertical Axis
Can be marked according to the
needs of the behavior analyst as any
specified recorded observation
periods, over a period of time
X-Axis Units
Equal movements up the Y-axis represent
equal increases in the behavior; should be
expressed in whole time units
Y-Axis Units
Runs from zero up to some number which is
chosen by the creator of the graph
Y-Axis Range
An individually measured value of the target
behavior (the DV) at a given point in time
Data Point
A series of straight lines connecting successive data points within a phase or condition.
It represents the relationship between the IV and the DV.
Data Path
Represent a major change in the IV, OR a major (usually permanent) change in the environment
Phase Changes
A solid vertical line placed at a point along
the X-axis indicating the point in time that the
phase change occurred
Phase Change Lines
Represent a minor change in the IV, OR a minor (usually temporary) change in the environment
Condition Changes
A dotted vertical line placed at a point along
the X-axis indicating the point in time when
the condition changed
Condition Change Lines
States which time periods are represented
by each successive data point
X- Axis Label
States which response measure was used to
measure the dependent variable – the target
behavior
Y- Axis Label
Brief labels, placed at the top of the chart,
that identify each separate major phase of
treatment
Phase Labels
Mark changes occurring within a phase
Condition labels
A concise statement that provides you with:
Sufficient information to identify the
DVs and IVs, and
Possibly other salient information necessary
to visually interpret the data.
Figure Legend
Level
Variability
Trend
The number of data points
4 primary graph characteristics that
contribute to visual analysis
The mean (average) value of a set of data points, usually across an entire condition or phase.
Level
The overall direction taken by the data path
through a set of data points
Trend
Increasing
Decreasing
Zero (no trend)
3 Possible Trends
The extent to which measures of behavior
under the same environmental conditions
diverge from one another
Variability
Used when outlying data points skew the
level line in a way that makes it non representative of the data set as a whole
Median Level
A straight line drawn through a series of
graphically displayed data points that
represent the direction and degree of trend
Trend Line
A trendline that bisects the data, with close
to an equal number of data points above the
line and below the line
Best Fit Line
A mathematical way to calculate trend
Split Middle Line of Progress
The minimum number of data points
necessary to establish trend, variability or
level of data
3 Data Points
Developed by Skinner as the primary means
of data collection and analysis in EAB
laboratory research
Cumulative Record
An automated device that automatically
creates a graph of the subject’s behavior
Cumulative Recorder
No distinct data points but rather the vertical axis represents the value of a DV and the horizontal axis represents a phase, condition, or classification variable
Bar Graph (Histogram)
To summarize and compare data for different
groups or subjects and/or different
conditions.
To compare sets of data that are not related
to one another by a common underlying
dimension by which the horizontal access
can be scaled
Uses of Bar Graphs
Enables the charting of celeration (a factor
by which rate of behavior multiplies or
divides per unit of time).
Used in Precision Teaching.
Standard Celeration Chart
