A-1 Prepare for Data Collection
Data collection is vital in Applied Behavior Analysis, because data is what is is used to make critical decisions about intervention and mastery of goals. If data is not collected accurately, changes may be made that are not in the best interest of your client.
It is important that you are prepared to collect data when the session begins. Depending on your center, this may mean having a fully charged tablet ready to go, or it may mean having your data sheets and a clip board.
Additional tools you may need include timers or frequency clickers. Timers are needed for duration and interval data collection. Clickers may be used to keep track of behaviors that happen often. Your BCBA will let you know which tools you need.
A-2 Implement Continuous Measurement Procedures
Continuous measurement procedures capture all instances of the behavior. These methods are the most accurate, and also the most time consuming methods to use.
There are five different types of continuous measurement procedures: (1) Frequency/Count, (2) Duration, (3) Rate, (4) Response Latency, and (5) Interresponse Time (IRT).
To collect frequency/count data you simply count each instance of a behavior occurring. Each instance will be a separate data point.
To collect duration data you will collect the amount of time a behavior occurs for. This is typically done using a timer. You will start the timer when the behavior begins, and end the timer when the behavior ends. The amount of time on the timer will tell you the duration.
To collect rate data, you collect the frequency of the behavior divided by the amount of time. This will give you an average of the behavior across time.
To collect response latency data, you will collect the amount of time after the SD and before the response occurs. Start a timer after providing the SD. You will stop the timer when the learner responds.
To collect interresponse time (IRT) data you will collect the amount of time between responses. Start a timer at the end of one response, and stop it when the next response begins.
A-3 Implement Discontinuous Measurement Procedures
Discontinuous measurement procedures capture some instances of the behavior. These methods give estimates of behavior, but are easier to use when behaviors occur often or if people collecting data are busy.
These methods use intervals to determine when data should be collected. An interval is a set period of time. Intervals will always be equal. For example, you may have an interval set for 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 60 minutes. Your BCBA will let you know what interval of time you should use.
There are three different types of continuous measurement procedures: (1) Whole Interval Recording, (2) Partial Interval Recording, and (3) Momentary Time Sampling.
To collect whole interval recording data, determine what your interval is. When collecting whole interval data, you are determining if the behavior lasts the entire duration of the interval. If the behavior does last the entire duration, mark “+”. If the behavior does not occur, or lasts for some of the duration, mark “-“. Mark “-” even if the behavior occurs for 59 out of 60 seconds of the duration.
To collect partial interval recording data, determine what your interval is. When collecting partial interval data, you are determine if the behavior occurs at all duringt the interval. If the behavior occurs for even a part of the interval, mark “+”. If the behavior does not occur at all during the interval, mark “-“.
To collect momentary time sampling data determine what your interval is. When the interval ends, you will note if the behavior is currently occuring.
A-4 Implement Permanent Product Recording Procedures
Permanent Products are evidence of behavior occurring left in the environment. You can use permanent products to indirectly measure behavior.
To collect permanent product data review what is left behind. This will usually involve counting- for example the number of correct responses, the number of toys put away, or the number or berries picked. These will all tell you key information about the behavior.
A-5 Enter Data and Update Graphs
Entering Data
Entering data will vary depending on if you are using a digital data collection system or a paper data collection system.
Digital data collection systems are quickly becoming the most popular to use..
When collecting data using a data collection system, it is common for options to be a plus (+), “yes”, or “✓” or a minus (-), “no”, or “X”. A plus (+), “yes”, or “✓” typically stands for a correct response. A minus (-), “no”, or “X” typically stands for an incorrect response. Your BCBA will let you know what a correct and incorrect response is. Often times, this information is also included on the data sheet for each goal.
Some other methods you might find are a timer, which is used to collect duration data. These timers should be started and stopped when the behavior occurs. Check in with your BCBA to see if there are any additional steps. You may need to press a button to reset the timer between behaviors.
Sometimes data is collected on the prompting level that you use, as well as if the response was correct or incorrect. In this scenario, you will the button that corresponds with the prompting level you used, or mark it correct if no prompting was used. Typically, selecting a prompting level will indicate that the response was incorrect, and you will not have to press any additional buttons.
It’s still important to know how to use paper data systems, even if digital systems are your primary method. Power outages and internet outages can cause odd days where paper methods are necessary.
Paper data sheets work similarly to digital data collection, where a plus (+) means correct and a minus (-) means incorrect. Sometimes, your BCBA will prefer that you mark the prompting level instead of a (-). If this is the case, your BCBA will likely have a code that coordinates to a prompt level. For example, you might write “Verb” for verbal prompting, or “G” for gestural. Frequency data is collected using tally marks. Duration data is collected with a separate timer and the time is written down on the data sheet.
With paper data, it is important that data sheets are clipped to a clipboard and a writing utensil is readily available. This will allow you to collect data where ever you go.
Updating Graphs
An amazing benefit of digital data collection is that data entered will automatically graph. You must ensure that your data is properly entered at the end of the session. In many data collection programs, this means ending and submitting the data at the end of the session.
If you are using paper data, you will manually enter the data into a spreadsheet that is dedicated to your clients. Look for the program you are entering data for on the tabs across the bottom of the screen. After selecting the correct program, add the date for your session into the “Date” column. Then add your data point. Continue this for all of the data you collected.
Graphs use an X-Axis and a Y-Axis to display information.
Along the X-Axis, you will place the date of the session.
Along the Y-Axis, you will place your data points.
A-6 Describe Behavior and Environment in Observable and Measurable Terms
Behavior analysis always uses observable and measurable terms to describe behavior. Descriptions of behavior should not include subjective terms- or terms that are your opinion. Examples of subjective words that should be excluded include, “good”, “bad”, attributing emotions without their evidence, and other words that do not describe the behavior.
To determine if something is a behavior, you can use the Dead Man’s Test. Dead men cannot behave. If a dead man can do it, it’s not behavior.
