Question
Difficulty: hard. Skill: analyze. 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 procedural-integrity measurement selection. What should the BCBA do? The case file includes 3 recent sessions, 3 implementers, and 4 settings.
ACheck measurement quality, observer agreement, and procedural integrity before making a major decision in relation to learner's leaving the instructional areaCorrect answer
BUse a familiar protocol even though it does not address measurement quality and procedural integrity
CRely on caregiver's report alone and stop collecting direct evidence
DChange the intervention immediately based on the concern alone
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: Procedural-integrity measurement selection. The case file includes 3 recent sessions, 3 implementers, and 4 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: Procedural-integrity measurement selection. The case file includes 3 recent sessions, 3 implementers, and 4 settings.
TrapCommon trapA familiar protocol is not enough unless it matches the assessed variables and the current decision question.
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 familiar protocol is not enough unless it matches the assessed variables and the current decision question.
CChoice CStakeholder input matters, but direct data, context, and integrity checks are still needed for a defensible answer.
DChoice DThis is weaker because it skips the assessment, integrity, or decision rule needed before changing procedures.
Study tags
Measurement quality and procedural integrityProcedural-integrity measurement selectionvalidityreliability
Related concept pages
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