Unit 4 Flashcards
Visual data analysis
A systematic form of data examinationcharacterized by visual inspection of graphical displays of those data.
The Process of Visual Analysis
- Taking an overview of an entire data display, noting its general characteristics.
- Specific data inspection and analysis
The Purpose of Visual Analysis
To answer 2 basic questions:1.Was there a meaningful change in behavior? 2.To what extent can the change be attributable to a specific environmental change?
Types of data display
Embedded in text. Presented in summary form (usually numerically in a data table) Graph
Graph
A relatively simple visual format for displaying data that provide visual representations of relationships between a series of measurements and relevant variables
Graphic displays used in ABA
Equal interval line graph Cumulative records Bar graph(Histogram) Semi logarithmic graphs(standard celeration chart)
Equal interval line graph(Simple line graph)
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).
Describe Equal interval line graphs
Any point within the plane of the chart represents a specific relationship between the two variables (dimensions) measured along each of the axis lines.
Common Uses of Line Graphs
Charting ABA data To evaluate treatment effectiveness. Used in functional analyses
Parts of an Equal Interval Line Graph
Horizontal X-axis; Vertical Y-axis; Data points; The data path; Condition and phase change lines; Condition and phase change labels; Figure legend
Horizontal Axis
X-axis. The abscissa. Represents the passage of time
Vertical Axis
Y-axis. The ordinate. Represents the range of values of the dependent variable
X-Axis Units
Can be marked according to the needs of the behavior analyst as any specified recorded observation periods, over a period of time
Y-Axis Units
Equal movements up the Y-axis represent equal increases in the behavior; shouldbe expressed in whole time units
Y-Axis Range
Runs from zero up to some number which is chosen by the creator of the graph
Data Point
An individually measured value of the target behavior (the DV) at a given point in time
Data Path
A series of straightlines connecting successive data points within a phase or condition.It represents the relationship between the IV and the DV.
Phase Changes
Represent a major change in the IV,OR a major (usually permanent) change in the environment
Phase ChangeLines
A solid vertical line placed at a point along the X-axis indicating the point in time that the phase change occurred
Condition Changes
Represent a minor change in the IV,OR a minor (usually temporary) change in the environment
Condition Change Lines
A dotted vertical line placed at a point along the X-axis indicating the point in time when the condition changed
X-axis Label
States whichtime periods are represented by each successive data point
Y-axis Label
States which response measure was used to measure the dependent variable –the target behavior
Phase Labels
Brief labels, placed at the top of the chart, that identify each separate major phase of treatment
Condition Labels
Mark changes occurring within a phase
Figure legend
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.
4 primary graph characteristics that contribute to visual analysis
Level; Variability; Trend; The number of data points
Level
The mean (average) value of a set of data points, usually across an entire condition or phase
Trend
The overall direction taken by the data path through a set of data points
3 Possible Trends
Increasing; Decreasing; Zero (no trend)
Variability
The extent to which measures of behavior under the same environmental conditions diverge from one another
Median Level
Used when outlying data points skew the level line in a way that makes it non-representative of the data set as a whole
Trend Line
A straight line drawn through a series of graphically displayed data points that represent the direction and degree of trend
Best Fit Line
A trendline that bisects the data, with close to an equal number of data points above the line and below the line
Split Middle Line of Progress
A mathematical way to calculate trend
3 Data points
The minimum number of data points necessary to establish trend, variability or level of data
Cumulative Record
Developed by Skinner as the primary means of data collection and analysis in EAB laboratory research
Cumulative Recorder
An automated device that automatically creates a graph of the subject’s behavior
Bar Graph (Histogram)
No distinct data pointsbut rather the vertical axis represents the value of a DV and the horizontal axis represents a phase, condition, or classification variable
Uses of Bar Graphs
To summarize and compare data for different groups or subjects and/or different conditions. Tocompare sets of data that are not related to one another by a common underlying dimension by which the horizontal access can be scaled
Standard Celeration Chart
Enables the charting of celeration (a factor by which rate of behavior multiplies or dividesper unit of time). Used in Precision Teaching.
