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| Software tools and evaluation procedures for direct observation: Hands on learning of the BEST tools |
| Friday, May 22, 2009 |
| 2:00 PM–5:00 PM |
| North 120 A |
| Area: TBA/CBM; Domain: Applied Behavior Analysis |
| CE Instructor: Jim Johnston, Ph.D. |
| THOMAS L. SHARPE (Educational Consulting, Inc.), John Koperwas (Educational Consulting, Inc.), Wayne S. Robb (ARC of Indian River County) |
| Description: The workshop will provide hands on application of a user friendly software package designed to collect and analyze discrete and time-based behavioral data for a wide range of evaluation and feedback applications in direct observation client settings. The program and compatible materials are particularly useful to graduate students, behavioral psychologists, BCBA and BCABA professionals engaged in assessment and behavior plan activities, and experimental analysts -- all interested in analyzing complex configurations of behaviors which are emitted at high rates, oftentimes overlap in time, and which are context dependent. Discussion includes an introduction to (a) recommended procedures when collecting time-based data in the live setting and from videotape records, and (b) computer generated behavior descriptions, graphic displays, statistical analyses and reliability comparisons of data files when engaged in staff training and assessment of data integrity. Participants will be provided with all workshop presentation materials and a complimentary copy of the complete software package on CD ROM, and a .pdf file summary copy of a compatible research methods text published by Sage Publications as a function of workshop participation.
***It is recommended that workshop participants bring their own IBM compatible laptop hardware to facilitate hands-on workshop interactions. |
| Learning Objectives: Workshop participants will exit with software-based data collection and analysis competencies, including the ability to (a) construct and apply systemic observation systems, (b) generate a time-based behavioral record using an inclusive overlapping category system, (c) construct a variety of graphic representations, (d) perform traditional and sequential analyses using multiple measurement methodologies, (d) edit graphic data representations and apply relevant visual and statistical analyses, (e) conduct reliability and treatment fidelity analyses, and (f) apply a variety of data record edit and merge functions when operating with complex multiple event category systems.
Participants will be able to discuss in conceptual and applied ways the principles and practice of discrete and sequential behavior analysis methods.
Participants will be able to apply a range of computer-based data collection, reliability, and measurement techniques to their particular behavior analysis interests.
Participants will be able to understand and apply a range of computer-based descriptive and statistical data analysis techniques in relation to discrete and sequential measurement sets.
Participants will be able to construct a variety of behavior graphs and apply appropriate analysis techniques to the graph types covered. |
| Activities: Activities include (a) review of traditional behavior analysis recording methods, (b) introduction to, and hands on application of, a computer-based package designed to enhance behavior analyses of complex interactive settings, and (c) detailed hands-on demonstration of data collection features, discrete and sequential analysis capabilities, within and across data-file graphic representations, and a variety of reliability, treatment fidelity, and data manipulation and editing functions – all designed to facilitate applied activities in assessment, behavior planning, treatment, and ongoing observation of a variety of settings and environments. |
| Audience: Graduate students, behavior analysts, BCBA, BCABA, and related therapists working in a variety of applied and experimental settings who are interested in the interactive nature of behavior in situations where study of multiple behaviors and events, multiple participants, and changing setting variables are present. Those working in educational and social science settings and who are challenged with how to describe and analyze highly interactive behavioral transactions should find the workshop experience and complimentary software particularly appealing to a wide range of research and assessment applications. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Basic |