Practice question
Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation

Discontinuous measurement design and use: Measurement system selection.

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

Test this weak areaPractice this domainDomain study hub

Question

Difficulty: hard. Skill: analyze. Type: data interpretation.

A BCBA reviews four sessions of stable baseline data followed by two overlapping intervention points for leaving the instructional area. The next decision depends on discontinuous measurement design and use. What should the BCBA do? The case file includes 8 recent sessions, 3 implementers, and 3 settings.

A
Use the descriptive label as the explanation and treatment target
B
Send the written protocol again without observing performance
C
Choose the measurement system that matches the behavior dimension and decision question in relation to learner's leaving the instructional area

Correct answer

D
Proceed informally because the team believes the action will help

Explanation

Answer C

The clue is the combination of four sessions of stable baseline data followed by two overlapping intervention points, leaving the instructional area, and the required task: Discontinuous measurement design and use. The case file includes 8 recent sessions, 3 implementers, and 3 settings. Choose the measurement system that matches the behavior dimension and decision question in relation to learner's leaving the instructional area is best because it answers that clue through measurement system 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 four sessions of stable baseline data followed by two overlapping intervention points, leaving the instructional area, and the required task: Discontinuous measurement design and use. The case file includes 8 recent sessions, 3 implementers, and 3 settings.

Trap
Common trap

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

Next
If you missed it, review Measurement system selection

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

Why the other choices are weaker

A
Choice A

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

B
Choice B

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

D
Choice D

Good intent does not replace consent, documentation, competence, or other safeguards.

Study tags

Measurement system selectionDiscontinuous measurement design and usefrequencyrate

Turn this into a study plan

If this question felt difficult, practice a short drill from Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation and use the review page to turn missed items into a weak-area plan.

Test this weak areaStart C domain drillReview missed questionsExplain my own question

Related study guides

GuideDistractor patternsUse this if the wrong answer sounded plausible.GuideMissed-question reviewUse this if you want to turn the miss into a study rule.GuideScore plateau guideUse this if similar mistakes keep repeating.

Try 5 similar questions

bcba-030Operational definitions: Measurement system selection.Measurement system selection, Operational definitions, frequencybcba-031Direct, indirect, and product measures: Measurement system selection.Measurement system selection, Direct, indirect, and product measures, frequencybcba-032Occurrence measurement: Measurement system selection.Measurement system selection, Occurrence measurement, frequencybcba-033Temporal-dimension measurement: Measurement system selection.Measurement system selection, Temporal-dimension measurement, frequencybcba-034Continuous versus discontinuous measurement: Measurement system selection.Measurement system selection, Continuous versus discontinuous measurement, frequency

Question FAQ

What BCBA domain does this question cover?

This practice question is tagged to Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation. It also includes study tags for Measurement system selection, Discontinuous measurement design and use, frequency, rate.

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.

Practice interactively

Try more BCBA scenario questions in the interactive practice mode, then use review tools to track missed domains and flagged items.

Start diagnosticQuestion directoryMore free questions