Practice question
Experimental Design

Applying single-case experimental designs: Single-case design selection.

Original BCBA scenario practice question with answer explanation and wrong-choice notes.

Test this weak areaPractice this domainDomain study hub

Question

Difficulty: medium. Skill: apply. Type: experimental design critique.

The team wants stronger evidence before scaling a plan for following a visual schedule. Which design decision best fits applying single-case experimental designs? The case file includes 7 recent sessions, 5 implementers, and 1 setting.

A
Add a punishment procedure before clarifying function, risk, or feasibility
B
Select the single-case design that can demonstrate control without creating impractical or unsafe conditions in relation to student's calling out during independent work

Correct answer

C
Use the descriptive label as the explanation and treatment target
D
Send the written protocol again without observing performance

Explanation

Answer B

The clue is the combination of frequency data that vary from 3 to 11 responses per session, calling out during independent work, and the required task: Applying single-case experimental designs. The case file includes 7 recent sessions, 5 implementers, and 1 setting. Select the single-case design that can demonstrate control without creating impractical or unsafe conditions in relation to student's calling out during independent work is best because it answers that clue through single-case design selection instead of treating the scenario as a generic behavior problem. On exam items like this, name the decision point first, then eliminate options that rely on one report, a label, a familiar protocol, or an action that skips the relevant data check.

Why this question is hard

Clue
Key scenario clue

The clue is the combination of frequency data that vary from 3 to 11 responses per session, calling out during independent work, and the required task: Applying single-case experimental designs. The case file includes 7 recent sessions, 5 implementers, and 1 setting.

Trap
Common trap

A punishment-first response is weaker when less intrusive, function-based, or assessment steps have not been addressed.

Next
If you missed it, review Single-case design selection

Then answer a few related scenarios before moving back to broad practice.

Why the other choices are weaker

A
Choice A

A punishment-first response is weaker when less intrusive, function-based, or assessment steps have not been addressed.

C
Choice C

A label is not enough; the decision should be based on observable behavior and relevant variables.

D
Choice D

Written directions alone do not verify performance or correct implementation errors.

Study tags

Single-case design selectionApplying single-case experimental designsreversal designmultiple baseline

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Related study guides

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Question FAQ

What BCBA domain does this question cover?

This practice question is tagged to Experimental Design. It also includes study tags for Single-case design selection, Applying single-case experimental designs, reversal design, multiple baseline.

How should I review this practice question?

Answer the scenario before reading the explanation, compare your reasoning with the correct answer, then review why the distractors are weaker.

Is this an official BACB exam question?

No. This is an original study question for BCBA Scenario Tutor and is not an official BACB exam item.

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