Experimental Control (Functional Relations; Analysis; Control)
When a predictable change in behavior (DV) can be reliably produced by the systematic
... [Show More] manipulation of some aspect of the individual's environment (IV).
The ANALYSIS dimension of the 7 dimensions of ABA.
Behavior: 4 Important Elements
Behavior is:
Individual
Continuous
Determined
Extrinsic
Behavior: Individual
Defined as a person's interaction with the environment.
Experimental strategy of ABA is based on single-subject methods of analysis; NOT large groups.
Behavior: Continuous
Behavior changes over time (not a static event).
Requires continuous measurement over time.
Behavior: Determined
The occurrence of any event is determined by the functional relations it holds to other events.
Behavior is a natural phenomenon and subject to the same natural laws as other natural phenomena.
Behavior: Variability is Extrinsic to the organism
Variability (change in behavior) is the result of the environment.
What should we do when there is variability?
Attempt to experimentally manipulate factors suspected of causing the variability in the data to look for causal factors.
6 Components of Experiments in ABA
One Subject
One Behavior (DV)
One setting
One Treatment (IV)
Measurement system and ongoing analysis of data.
Experimental design.
Experimental Question
A brief but specific statement of what the researcher wants to learn from conducting the experiment.
Single-Subject Designs (Single-Case Design, Within-Subject Design, Intra-Subject Design)
Repeated measures of the subject's behavior during each phases of the study provide the basis for comparing experimental variables as they are presented or withdrawn in subsequent conditions.
Least one behavior (Dependent Variable: DV)
Reasons for multiple DVs:
Provided data patterns to help with evaluation
Asses the presence and the extent of the IV's effects on behaviors other than the response class to which it was directly applied.(Collateral Effects)
Least one setting
Control 2 sets of environmental variables to demonstrate experimental control.
1. IV (Present, withdrawn, or vary its value)
2. Extraneous Variables (Prevent unplanned environmental variation.
Least one treatment (IV, intervention, Experimental Data)
The particular aspect of the environment that they experimenter manipulates to find out whether it affects the subjects behavior.
A Measurement System and Ongoing Analysis of Data
Observation and recording procedures must be conducted in a standardized manner.
Behaviorists must detect changes in level, trend, and variability.
Standardization
Involves every aspect of the measurement system (from the behavior definition to scheduling of observations)
An Experimental Design
The particular arrangement of conditions in a study so that meaningful comparisons of the effects of the presence, absence, or different values of the IV can be made.
Nonparametric Analysis
IV either present of absent during study.
EX: Medication is either given and then taken away in the course of a study.
Parametric Analysis
The value of the IV is manipulated. Seeks to discover the differential effects of a range of values.
EX: Various doses of medication are given in the course of a study.
Important Rules of Experimental Design
Change only one variable at a time.
Do not get locked into textbook designs.
- Select and combine designs that best fit research question.
Treatment Package (Behavioral Package)
When multiple IVs are bundled into one program, such as a token economy plus praise plus time-out.
Component Analysis
Looks at the effect of each part of the treatment.
Conduct this to determine the effective components of an intervention package.
Steady State Responding (Stable State Responding)
A pattern of responding that exhibits very little variation in its measured dimensional quantities over a period of time.
Baseline Logic
Refers to the experimental reasoning inherent in single-subject experimental designs. 3 elements (PVR)
PVR
Prediction
Verification
Replication [Show Less]