Question
Difficulty: medium. Skill: apply. 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 measurement validity and reliability. What should the BCBA do? The case file includes 7 recent sessions, 5 implementers, and 2 settings.
ACheck measurement quality, observer agreement, and procedural integrity before making a major decision in relation to learner's leaving the instructional areaCorrect answer
BAdd a punishment procedure before clarifying function, risk, or feasibility
CUse the descriptive label as the explanation and treatment target
DSend the written protocol again without observing performance
Explanation
Answer AThe 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: Measurement validity and reliability. The case file includes 7 recent sessions, 5 implementers, and 2 settings. Check measurement quality, observer agreement, and procedural integrity before making a major decision in relation to learner's leaving the instructional area 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 four sessions of stable baseline data followed by two overlapping intervention points, leaving the instructional area, and the required task: Measurement validity and reliability. The case file includes 7 recent sessions, 5 implementers, and 2 settings.
TrapCommon trapA punishment-first response is weaker when less intrusive, function-based, or assessment steps have not been addressed.
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
BChoice BA punishment-first response is weaker when less intrusive, function-based, or assessment steps have not been addressed.
CChoice CA label is not enough; the decision should be based on observable behavior and relevant variables.
DChoice DWritten directions alone do not verify performance or correct implementation errors.
Study tags
Measurement quality and procedural integrityMeasurement validity and reliabilityvalidityreliability
Related concept pages
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