Chapter 6 Cooper Graphs

Benefits of Graphic Display

1.Immediate access to record of behavior 2.Variations prompt exploration 3.Provides easy format 4.Relatively easy to learn, no predetermined level for determining the significance of change, no mathematical properties required - Conservative method 5. Encourages independence judgment & interpretation 6. displaying relationship between behavior change and variables manipulated/effective feedback

When to use Cumulative Recorder 4

1.Progress toward a specific goal can be measured in cumulative units " e.g., Number of new words learned, quarters saved 2. Graph is used as source feedback to participant 3. Total progress and relative rate of performance easily detected - Target behavior can only occur once per observation period Yes/No 4. Intricate details between behavior & environmental variables are of interest " e.g., Within session analyses

visual analysis

A systematic approach for interpreting the results of behavioral research and treatment programs that entails visual inspection of graphed data for variability, level, and trend within and between experimental conditions.

Constructing Line Graphs

An effective graph presents data Accurately Completely and Clearly Makes visual analysis as easy as possible Does not create distortion or bias interpretation

line graph

Based on a Cartesian plane. A two-dimensional area formed by the intersection of two perpendicular lines. most commonly used in ABA.

Bar Graph/ Histogram

Based on the Cartesian plane No distinct data points representing successive response measures through time

Line Graph

Based on the Cartesian plane Two-dimensional area formed by _intersection of 2 perpendicular lines. Points on the plane represent relationships between a dimension of the dependent variable when the independent variable was in effect

graph results display...

Comparison of data points reveals the presence or absence of changes in level, trend, and/or variability

Constructing Line Graphs-Figure Caption & Printing

Constructing Line Graphs-Figure Caption & Printing Figure caption Printed below the graph Concise, complete description of figure Direct viewers attention to features of the graph that may be overlooked (e.g., scale changes) Describe the meaning of any added symbols representing special events Print graphs in one color -black

Standard Celeration Chart

Developed by Ogden Lindsley Standardized method for Charting & analyzing how frequency of behavior changes over time

History of Cumulative Record

Developed by Skinner Primary means of data collection in EAB Cumulative recorder Experimental subject draws its own graph

Four standard charts

Difference in ________________ on horizontal axis Daily chart (140 calendar days) Weekly chart Monthly chart Yearly chart

Functions of Bar Graph

Displaying and comparing discrete sets of data that are not related by a common underlying dimension by which the horizontal axis can be scaled. Visual summary of participant or group performance during different experimental conditions.

Equal-interval Graphs

Distance between any two consecutive points on each axis is always the same. Increase/decrease in performance expressed by equal distances on the y-axis Distance between sessions, days, etc., expressed by equal distances on the x-axis

Variability/Stability

Frequency and degree to which multiple measured of behavior yield different outcomes High degree of variability Little or no control over has been acheived over the factors influencing the behavior influencing behavior

Constructing Line Graphs—Drawing, scaling, & labeling axes

Horizontal axis Mark equal intervals Left to right chronological succession of equal time periods or response opportunities Use regularly spaced _points on the horizontal Use a scale break to represent discontinuities in the progression of time

Parts of a Line Graph

Horizontal axis, Vertical axis Condition change lines, Condition labels, Phase and condition, Data points, Data path Figure caption

Types of Graphs Utilized in ABA

Line graph, Bar graphs, Cumulative record, Semi- logarithmic charts, Standard Celeration Chart, Scatterplots

Trend

Overall direction taken by the data path Direction Increasing, decreasing, or zero trend Degree highly Stable or steep Extent of variability Trend line or line of progress Freehand, least-squares regression equation, or split-middle line of progress

Constructing Line Graphs—Data Points & Data Paths

Place each data point in the exact coordinate of the horizontal and vertical axis If graphing by hand, use a graph paper with appropriately spaced grid lines Use bold symbols, easily discernable symbols Use a different symbol for each set of data Draw data paths using a line The center of each data point in a given data set should be in the center of the next data point in the same set

DO NOT CONNECT DATA POINTS IF...

Points fall on either side of a condition Change line A significant span of time passed and behavior was not measured There was a discontinuity in time in the horizontal axis (e.g., school vacation) Data were not collected, lost, etc. It is follow-up or post-check data Unless intersession time span same as original experiment Data points fall beyond the values described by the vertical axis Use different styles of lines for multiple data paths on the same graph Clearly identify what each data path represents Use arrows or a legend

Purpose of Graphic Display

Primary function communication Display relationships between dependent variable and independent variable Primary vehicle for interpreting and communicating the results of behavior treatment and research of data collected

Semilogarithmic Charts

Ratio or multiply-divide charts One axis is scaled proportionally. Doubling response rate 4 to 8 same as 50 to 100. All behavior changes of absolute values are shown by equal vertical distances on the vertical axis

Constructing Line Graphs—Drawing, scaling, & labeling axes

Scaling of vertical axis Most significant feature of the graph Mark the origin at 0 Mark the off the verticle axis of values represented in the data set If relatively small changes in performance are socially significant, y-axis should reflect a smaller range of values Labeling vertical axis Brief label, printed, centered to the left and parallel to the vertical axis

Scatterplot

Shows relative distribution of individual measures in a data set Data points are unconnected Depicts changes in value on one axis correlate changes in value on the other axis Patterns suggest certain relationships Sometimes used to discover the certain distribution of the target behavior

The Cumulative Record displays...

Shows the number of responses on the ordinate against time on the abscissa. Number of responses recorded and added to the number of responses recorded during previous observations

local response rate

The average rate of a response during a smaller period of time within a larger period for which an overall response rate has been given.

data path

The level and trend of behavior between successive data points: created by drawing a straight line from the center of each data point in a given data set to the center of the next data point in the same set.

overall response rate

The rate of response over a given time period

Rates of response of Cumulative Recorder

The steeper the slope, the higher the response rate Overall response rate Local response rate

Level

The value on the vertical axis around which a series of data points converge Stability When data points fall at or near a specific level Mean or median lines Added to represent overall average or typical performance Use with caution—can obscure important variability

dependent variable

The variable in an experiment measured to determine if it changes as a result of manipulations of the independent variable: in ABA it represents some measure of a socially significant behavior.

independent variable

The variable that is systematically manipulated by the researcher in n experiment to see whether changes in the independent variable produce reliable changes in the dependent variable. intervention treatment

Line Graph - Variations

Two or more dimensions of the same behavior Two or more different behaviors Measure of the same behavior under different conditions Changing values of the independent variable Same behavior of two or more participants

Constructing Line Graphs—Drawing, scaling, & labeling axes

Use a balanced ratio between the horizontal and vertical of the axes Relative length of the vertical axis to horizontal axis Suggestions 5:8; 3:4; 1:1.6 ratio y-axis to x-axis

Identification of

Variability Level Trend

Interpreting Graphically Displayed Behavioral Data

Visual analysis Did behavior change in a meaningful way? If so, to what extent can that change in behavior be attributed to the independent variable?

Parts of the Cumulative recorder

Y-Axis (vertical axis) Represents the total number of responses recorded since the beginning of data collection Display Cumulative number of responses at any given point in time

What's standard about the standard celeration chart

its consistent display of celeration

Fundamental Properties of Behavior Change 3

level, trend, variability

Data

the result of measurement, usually in quantifiable form: in ABA , it refers to measures of some quantifiable dimension of behavior