Question
Difficulty: medium. Skill: apply. Type: experimental design critique.
A BCBA is evaluating whether an intervention changed grabbing preferred items. A second program change began during the same week. Which concern best reflects single-case design data critique and interpretation? The case file includes 6 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 3 settings.
AContinue unchanged and ignore the new contextual information
BAdd a punishment procedure before clarifying function, risk, or feasibility
CInterpret level, trend, variability, overlap, and integrity data before changing the plan in relation to adolescent's grabbing preferred itemsCorrect answer
DUse the descriptive label as the explanation and treatment target
Explanation
Answer CThe clue is the combination of ABC data from three outings, grabbing preferred items, and the required task: Single-case design data critique and interpretation. The case file includes 6 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 3 settings. Interpret level, trend, variability, overlap, and integrity data before changing the plan in relation to adolescent's grabbing preferred items is best because it answers that clue through visual analysis and data-based decisions 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 ABC data from three outings, grabbing preferred items, and the required task: Single-case design data critique and interpretation. The case file includes 6 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 3 settings.
TrapCommon trapIgnoring relevant data or context prevents a defensible behavior-analytic decision.
NextIf you missed it, review Visual analysis and data-based decisionsThen answer a few related scenarios before moving back to broad practice.
Why the other choices are weaker
AChoice AIgnoring relevant data or context prevents a defensible behavior-analytic decision.
BChoice BA punishment-first response is weaker when less intrusive, function-based, or assessment steps have not been addressed.
DChoice DA label is not enough; the decision should be based on observable behavior and relevant variables.
Study tags
Visual analysis and data-based decisionsSingle-case design data critique and interpretationleveltrend
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