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| A 37-year Case Study in the Design and Analysis of a Program That Survives Post-research |
| Sunday, May 28, 2006 |
| 10:30 AM–11:50 AM |
| Vancouver |
| Area: OBM; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Deborah E. Altus (Washburn University) |
| Abstract: The symposium describes the step-by-step development and experimental analysis of a set of interlocking behavioral programs used to run a cooperative residence for university students. These programs were developed from 1969 to 1992 and have survived since 1992 when researchers discontinued their involvement with the cooperative. During the 23 years of involvement with the co-op, the research team developed a behavior analytic conceptual framework for designing long-lasting programs and a single subject methodology for experimentally analyzing program survival following the formal research period. This conceptual and empirical work has focused on the supports that researchers give their programs during development and analysis. A proper understanding of these supports permits simulation of post-research conditions and opens the door for direct observation and single subject experimentation. This understanding also helps researchers develop and test hypotheses about what factors may promote program survival post-research. Our method for analyzing program survival has been successfully replicated in several settings: a group of residents for people with dd, a middle school and a family. (Note: please schedule immediately preceding the panel titled "How Can Applied Behavior Analysts Develop and Experimentally Analyze Programs That Survive Post-research?") |
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| The Design and Analysis of a Worksharing Program That Survives. |
| L. KEITH MILLER (University of Kansas) |
| Abstract: This paper describes the design and analysis of a token economy program for sharing the work of cleaning, food preparation and repair in a cooperative residence for university students. It reports the experimental analysis of the effectiveness of the program. It also describes the problem of promoting the survival of the program after completion of the research. Next it sets the context for the following papers each of which solved portions of the survival problem. After those papers, it reports on the ultimate survival of the program. Finally, it pulls the different papers together to draw lessons from them for how to identify, create and study the conditions that promote program survival. |
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| The Development and Survival of Programs to Manage and Administer a Cooperative Residence. |
| TOM WELSH (Florida State University) |
| Abstract: This paper describes the design and analysis of two programs created to promote survival of the worksharing token economy ina student housing cooperative. The first program transferred management of the worksharing program to the residents. The second program created a democratic approach to meetings that allowed residents to adapt the token economy to changing conditions. Experimental analyses of the effectiveness of the programs include reports on their long term survival. These studies represent a first effort at simulating post-research conditions to evaluate program survival. Several lessons are proposed. |
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| The Role of Member Education and Recognition in the Survival of a Student Housing Co-op. |
| DEBORAH E. ALTUS (Washburn University) |
| Abstract: This paper describes the development and analysis of two programs for promoting the health and survival of a student housing co-op using systems of member education and recognition. The education program, with a PSI (personalized system of instruction) approach, was designed to teach new members about the policies and practices of the co-op, which a focus on providing rationales for these features. The second program involved a system for members to recognize each other for outstanding participation in the co-op worksharing system. This paper describes an experimental analysis of these two programs, along with extensive follow-up data, and includes a discussion of the relationship between these programs and the long-term health and survival of the co-op. |
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| Promoting Program Survival by Developing a Program to Modify Behavioral Technology. |
| THOMAS J. ZWICKER (Preusser Research Group) |
| Abstract: This paper describes the design and analysis of two programs designed to modify behavioral technology. The first program created an algorithm permitting residents to adapt a behavioral program to changing conditions. The paper reports an experimental analysis that showed the program was effective. Unfortunately the program did not survive post-research. The second program redesigned the prior program to promote its survival. The paper describes the experimental analysis of effectiveness of the program and reports on its long term survival. It ends by proposing lessons about program survival. |
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