Practice question
Experimental Design

Defining features of 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.

A BCBA is evaluating whether an intervention changed leaving the instructional area. A second program change began during the same week. Which concern best reflects defining features of single-case experimental designs? The case file includes 12 recent sessions, 3 implementers, and 1 setting.

A
Select the single-case design that can demonstrate control without creating impractical or unsafe conditions in relation to learner's leaving the instructional area

Correct answer

B
Treat the most recent data point as proof of the final conclusion
C
Base the decision on the descriptive label for leaving the instructional area and bypass defining features of single-case experimental designs
D
Use a familiar protocol even though it does not address single-case design selection

Explanation

Answer A

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: Defining features of single-case experimental designs. The case file includes 12 recent sessions, 3 implementers, and 1 setting. Select the single-case design that can demonstrate control without creating impractical or unsafe conditions in relation to learner's leaving the instructional area 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 four sessions of stable baseline data followed by two overlapping intervention points, leaving the instructional area, and the required task: Defining features of single-case experimental designs. The case file includes 12 recent sessions, 3 implementers, and 1 setting.

Trap
Common trap

A single point rarely supports a strong conclusion without considering trend, variability, and context.

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

B
Choice B

A single point rarely supports a strong conclusion without considering trend, variability, and context.

C
Choice C

This is weaker because the label does not answer the Defining features of single-case experimental designs decision point or test Single-case design selection.

D
Choice D

A familiar protocol is not enough unless it matches the assessed variables and the current decision question.

Study tags

Single-case design selectionDefining features of single-case experimental designsreversal designmultiple baseline

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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.

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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, Defining features of 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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