Question
Difficulty: easy. Skill: recognize. Type: experimental design critique.
A BCBA is evaluating whether an intervention changed dropping to the floor when demands are presented. A second program change began during the same week. Which concern best reflects internal and external validity? The case file includes 5 recent sessions, 4 implementers, and 3 settings.
AChange the intervention immediately based on the concern alone
BContinue unchanged and ignore the new contextual information
CCheck measurement quality, observer agreement, and procedural integrity before making a major decision in relation to child's dropping to the floor when demands are presentedCorrect answer
DAdd a punishment procedure before clarifying function, risk, or feasibility
Explanation
Answer CThe clue is the combination of caregiver notes plus one direct observation, dropping to the floor when demands are presented, and the required task: Internal and external validity. The case file includes 5 recent sessions, 4 implementers, and 3 settings. Check measurement quality, observer agreement, and procedural integrity before making a major decision in relation to child's dropping to the floor when demands are presented is best because it answers that clue through measurement quality and procedural integrity 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
ClueKey scenario clueThe clue is the combination of caregiver notes plus one direct observation, dropping to the floor when demands are presented, and the required task: Internal and external validity. The case file includes 5 recent sessions, 4 implementers, and 3 settings.
TrapCommon trapThis is weaker because it skips the assessment, integrity, or decision rule needed before changing procedures.
NextIf you missed it, review Internal validity and confoundsThen answer a few related scenarios before moving back to broad practice.
Why the other choices are weaker
AChoice AThis is weaker because it skips the assessment, integrity, or decision rule needed before changing procedures.
BChoice BIgnoring relevant data or context prevents a defensible behavior-analytic decision.
DChoice DA punishment-first response is weaker when less intrusive, function-based, or assessment steps have not been addressed.
Study tags
Measurement quality and procedural integrityInternal and external validityvalidityreliability
Related concept pages
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