RBT Exam Revision Course: Measurement

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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 werenโ€™t 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.

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