Practice question
Experimental Design

Single-case versus group-design strengths: Internal validity and confounds.

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: experimental design critique.

The team wants stronger evidence before scaling a plan for following a visual schedule. Which design decision best fits single-case versus group-design strengths? The case file includes 2 recent sessions, 4 implementers, and 1 setting.

A
Base the decision on the descriptive label for calling out during independent work and bypass single-case versus group-design strengths
B
Identify the competing explanation and strengthen experimental control before claiming an intervention effect in relation to student's calling out during independent work

Correct answer

C
Use a familiar protocol even though it does not address internal validity and confounds
D
Rely on teacher's report alone and stop collecting direct evidence

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: Single-case versus group-design strengths. The case file includes 2 recent sessions, 4 implementers, and 1 setting. Identify the competing explanation and strengthen experimental control before claiming an intervention effect in relation to student's calling out during independent work is best because it answers that clue through internal validity and confounds 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: Single-case versus group-design strengths. The case file includes 2 recent sessions, 4 implementers, and 1 setting.

Trap
Common trap

This is weaker because the label does not answer the Single-case versus group-design strengths decision point or test Internal validity and confounds.

Next
If you missed it, review Internal validity and confounds

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

Why the other choices are weaker

A
Choice A

This is weaker because the label does not answer the Single-case versus group-design strengths decision point or test Internal validity and confounds.

C
Choice C

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

D
Choice D

Stakeholder input matters, but direct data, context, and integrity checks are still needed for a defensible answer.

Study tags

Internal validity and confoundsSingle-case versus group-design strengthsconfounding variablesexperimental control

Turn this into a study plan

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

Test this weak areaStart D 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.

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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 Internal validity and confounds, Single-case versus group-design strengths, confounding variables, experimental control.

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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