Operationalizing DV's
Description of a DV in observable, measurable terms
Operational definition
Measuring math scores is an example of what kind of variable?
Considered the control in a single-case design
Baseline
Adding one intervention at a time will likely provide what kind of validity?
Internal
Student runs away as they look back and laugh
Attention
This operational definition could include: eyes on assignment or teacher, actively writing, raising hand
On-Task/Academically Engaged
The best way to measure how often a student hits peers/adults
Frequency recording
What you would call a design in which a reward system was applied to see the outcome
AB design
Recommendation if a DV targeted for decrease is down-trending in baseline
Hold off on IV implementation and continue to track behavior
Student tantrums every shopping trip and then gets candy
Get food/tangibles
The problem with this operational definition: "Any utterance by a student intended to demean or intimidate another student."
It is not objective (calls for speculation about intention of the speaker).
The best way to measure time on-task during a lesson.
Ron's social skills were measured before the reward system, after, and then when it was removed again
A-B-A design
Using control conditions or randomization to rule out alternative explanations for observed changes is an example of what kind of validity?
Internal
The student crumples up their work and puts his head down every math period
Escape
When a student leaves the classroom without permission or gets married in Vegas
Eloping
Mark "+" if, at the end of each 10-second interval, the student exhibited the target behavior.
Momentary time sampling
The number of stable data points we need in the baseline condition before treatment/intervention
The degree to which the results of a study are due to the intervention and not other variables
Internal validity
Student yells and kicks every time a task is presented
Protest/escape
Throwing objects, hitting, kicking, punching, and pinching are examples of this target behavior
Physical aggression
The extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to other settings, people, or times
External validity
In single-case research, this is the "A" in an A-B-A-B design
Baseline condition
Student physical aggression decreases after a self-monitoring intervention is implemented
Internal validity
Manipulation
A-B design
Student blurts out off-topic comments and the class laughs every time
Peer attention
Three criteria for a good operational definition
Objective, clear, measurable
Every 10-seconds, if the target behavior occurred at any time during the interval
Partial-interval recording
This allows for in-depth analysis of an individual student's response to an intervention
Single-case design
Threat to internal validity in which the DV changes as a function of time or development
Maturation
Student gets in a fight and gets suspended each time
Escape