Single Subject Research And Applications

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Define and apply the ethical framework in which the behaviour analyst works.

2. Differentiate data collection methods including distinguishing methods of measuring occurrence and dimensions.

3. Differentiate science from pseudo- and anti-science approaches to working with people with developmental disabilities and apply the components of the scientific method to single subject experimental designs:

• Distinguish key terms including baseline, baseline logic, and stable/steady state responding
• Outline pros and cons of group designs.
• Outline pros and cons of single-subject designs including alternating treatment design, changing criterion design, multiple baseline (including multiple probe and nonconcurrent) design, and reversal design

4. Display data and offer interpretations via visual analysis:

• Construct equal-interval, bar, cumulative and scatterplot graphs
• Calculate split middle, and quarter-intersect lines of progress

5. Construct methods to assess procedural integrity and competency based training:

• Identify factors that confound internal validity including subject, setting, and measurement confounds
• Identify factors that lead to independent variable confounds including treatment integrity and treatment drift
• Identify factors that influence external validity including direct and systematic replications
• Identify threats to measurement accuracy and reliability

6. Implement and evaluate various antecedent and teaching strategies:

• Define, differentiate, and offer applied examples of establishing and abolishing operations, ecological strategies, setting events, and the matching law
• Develop interventions with consideration to generalization and maintenance.

7. Summarize Skinner’s Verbal Behavior (1957) text and its application to teaching language.