Practice question
Experimental Design

Select a multiple-baseline design when reversal is inappropriate.

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

Question

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

A BCBA evaluates teaching handwashing across three routines in a clinic session. Withdrawing the skill after mastery would be impractical and potentially unsafe. Which design best fits? The program is being updated before services move to a new setting.

A
AB design with no replication
B
Reversal design with treatment withdrawal
C
Multiple baseline across routines

Correct answer

D
Scatterplot only

Explanation

Answer C

Multiple baseline designs can show experimental control by staggering intervention without withdrawing an effective skill.

Why the other choices are weaker

A
Choice A

An AB design provides weak evidence because it lacks replication of effect.

B
Choice B

Withdrawing a useful or safety-related skill may be inappropriate.

D
Choice D

A scatterplot can guide assessment but does not demonstrate experimental control.

Study tags

Multiple BaselineExperimental DesignAlternating Treatments

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