Scroll to the bottom of the page to access the Measurement Quiz and External Resources
Table of Contents
A-01: Describe How to Prepare for Data Collection
Preparing for data collection ensures accurate and effective measurement. Before each session, you should:
- Gather necessary materials (tablet, phone, data sheets, flashcards, counters, timers).
- Review behaviour intervention plans and skill acquisition plans.
- Check recent session data to determine priorities (e.g., ensuring interventions that werenโt previously run are implemented).
- Avoid running interventions that have met mastery criteria and should be discontinued.
A-02: Continuous Measurement Procedures
Continuous measurement records every instance of a behaviour. Common methods include:
- Frequency/Count โ Total number of occurrences (e.g., claps, jumps).
- Rate โ Frequency divided by time (e.g., 5 instances per minute).
- Duration โ Total time a behaviour occurs (e.g., tantrum lasting 3 minutes).
- Latency โ Time between a stimulus and response (e.g., time from instruction to compliance).
- Inter-response Time (IRT) โ Time between two instances of a behaviour (e.g., time between bites of food).
Each method is best suited for specific behaviours, such as using frequency for discrete behaviours and duration for ongoing behaviours.
A-03: Discontinuous Measurement Procedures
Discontinuous measurement involves sampling behaviour, rather than recording every instance. Methods include:
- Whole Interval Recording โ Behaviour is recorded only if it occurs throughout the entire interval.
- Partial Interval Recording โ Behaviour is recorded if it occurs at any point during the interval.
- Momentary Time Sampling โ Behaviour is recorded only if present at the exact moment the interval ends.
Discontinuous methods are useful when continuous measurement is impractical.
A-04: Permanent Product Recording
Permanent product recording measures the outcome of behaviour rather than the behaviour itself. Examples include:
- Counting completed assignments instead of observing study behaviour.
- Measuring artwork to assess creative engagement.
- Checking cleaned areas to track household chores.
This method is beneficial when direct observation is unnecessary.
A-05: Enter Data and Update Graphs
The line graph is the most common graph in ABA. Key features include:
- X-axis (horizontal) โ Represents time (e.g., dates, sessions).
- Y-axis (vertical) โ Represents the behaviour measured (e.g., frequency, percentage).
- Data points โ Plotted to represent recorded values.
- Data path โ The line connecting data points.
- Phase-change lines โ Vertical dashed lines that indicate changes in intervention (e.g., baseline to treatment).
Graphs should have clear labels, a title, and client identifiers (e.g., initials). Data should be updated after each session for accurate progress tracking.
Measurement Key Terms/Glossary
Count / Frequency / Rate
- Count โ The total number of times a behaviour occurs.
- Rate โ The count divided by a unit of time (e.g., per minute, per hour).
- Frequency โ Can refer to either count or rate, but is most often used to mean rate.
Duration
- Measures the total time a single instance of a behaviour lasts.
Latency
- Measures the time between an antecedent (stimulus) and when the behaviour begins.
Inter-response Time (IRT)
- Measures the time between two consecutive responses of the same behaviour.
Discontinuous Measurement Procedures
Whole Interval Recording
- Records whether a behaviour occurs throughout an entire interval.
- Underestimates behaviour because partial occurrences are not recorded.
Partial Interval Recording
- Records whether a behaviour occurs at any point during an interval.
- Overestimates behaviour as it does not consider duration.
Momentary Time Sampling
- Records whether a behaviour is occurring at the exact moment of a time interval.
- Less accurate than whole or partial interval recording but allows for observation of multiple behaviours.
Permanent Product Recording
- Measures the physical outcome of a behaviour rather than the behaviour itself.
- Used when a behaviour leaves an observable effect on the environment.
- Example: Checking completed assignments instead of observing study behaviour.
Graphing & Data Representation
Data Point
- A single plotted value on a graph representing a measurement of behaviour.
Data Path
- A line that connects two or more data points, used for visual analysis.
X-Axis
- The horizontal axis representing time (e.g., session dates, trial numbers).
Y-Axis
- The vertical axis representing the measurement of behaviour (e.g., frequency, duration).
Graph Labels
- The x-axis and y-axis must be labeled, and the graph should have a clear title.
Phase Change Line
- A broken vertical line on a graph that marks a change in intervention (e.g., from baseline to treatment).
- Used to indicate modifications in teaching methods, interventions, or behaviour plans.
ย
ย
ย
ย
ย
ย
ย