Professional Tools and Resources for Behavior Analysts
hosted at Science of Behavior – www.scienceofbehavior.com
This page is a work in progress.
Measurement
Guides and Resources:
Selecting the Target Behavior
Click here for tips on selecting a desired behavior versus selecting a problem behavior.
Click here for a resource related to on-task or academic engagement as a selected behavior.
Defining the Target Behavior
Click here for a step-by-step guide to defining behavior.
Defining Behavior – IRIS Center – For directions, examples, and non-examples, see page iii and the STAR Sheets on pages 7-16. Practice by using the Case Studies on pages 1-6.
Bicard, S. C, Bicard, D. F., & the IRIS Center. (2012). Defining behavior. Retrieved from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf_case_studies/ics_defbeh.pdf
Prioritizing Target Behaviors
Click here for a one-page form that assists a team in prioritization when there are multiple behavioral concerns.
Selecting Measurement Method
decision-11 UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Click here for a step-by-step guide to selecting the optimal measurement procedure and recording form.
ADD LEBLANC, ALEVIOS, AND OTHER FLOWCHARTS
Recording Forms, Tips, and Tools:
Frequency Measurement
Frequency Form – Word – PDF – sample
Frequency Form That Makes a Graph – PDF – sample
Tip: Consider using A-B-C forms !!!
(available in the Tier 3 tab).
A-B-C forms may yield multiple valuable measures:
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- frequency
- duration per occurrence
- total duration
- plus the bonus of a pattern analysis !!!
Tally Counters (electronic and mechanical) – Tally Counters (electronic and mechanical) – Mechanical Counters
The above websites offer a wide variety of relatively inexpensive counters. These small devices can be carried for easy recording of behavior frequency. Electronic counters that work in a silent mode can reduce reactivity during observations. Mechanical counters make a slight clicking sound that may be noticed by the student being observed.
Low-tech frequency measurement options: use a short (e.g., golf) pencil to mark an index card (wear pencil and card on lanyard or carry in pocket); place short piece of masking tape on back of your hand and mark it – later remove and place tape on data recording sheet; slide beads on a lanyard or string; move beans or paper clips from one pocket to another; wear a carpenter’s apron and move items from one pocket to another; move rubber bands from one arm to another
Frequency measurement applications for mobile devices, smart phones, and smart watches are available in the Apple and Android stores! These can be very efficient for data recording.
When you find other good apps or if you encounter inactive (dead end) links, please send an email to share the news and it may be posted here for others!
Interval or Time Sample Measurement
Interval/Time Sample Audio Cue Recording – MP3 file (approx. 14mb) –
10 sec. “Observe” intervals followed by 5 second recording intervals in a 15 min. observation session. Thanks to Dr. Christine Barthold of the Steppingstones Project!
Interval/Time Sample Record – 10 sec. intervals – 15 min. observation session – Word – PDF – sample
Interval/Time Sample Record – 5 behavior columns – 10 sec. intervals – 10 min. observation session – Excel – PDF
Interval/Time Sample Record – 10 sec. intervals – 10 min. observation session – Word – PDF
Interval/Time Sample Record – 15 sec. intervals – 15 min. observation session – Word – PDF
Tip: Use recorded audio cues to improve interval data accuracy. Cues can easily be recorded on a mobile device, smart phone, smart watch, CD, MP3 player, etc.
- For interval recording, recorded voice cues may be someone saying “Observe” (followed by the designated number of minutes/seconds) and then “Record” (followed by a few seconds to mark the form.) See sample above.
• For interval recording or momentary time sampling, use recorded beeps or tones to signal the start/end of intervals.
Tip: If a student reacts to audio cues, try earbuds or headphones.
Tip: Use automated cues as an alternative to recorded cues. An online countdown timer and alarm (same timer – full screen version) or [ http://www.difflearn.com/category/timers_counters_clocks/a ]one of several devices can remind you when to observe and record. (Muting your device permits silent operation.)
Mobile device, smart phone, and smart watch applications can give audio and/or vibration cues. Check the many options available at Android and Apple app stores. Some devices (e.g., iPhones) may limit the number of cues unless settings are adjusted.
The Motiv-Aider is a small portable timing device ($50). Android and Apple app stores ($2-3) have versions compatible with smartphones and tablets.
When you find other good apps or if you encounter inactive (dead end) links, please send an email to share the news and it may be posted here for others!
Duration or Latency Measurement
Duration Form – Word – PDF – sample
Tip: Consider using A-B-C forms !!! (available in the “Tier 3 Individual FBA-BIP” tab).
A-B-C forms may yield multiple valuable measures:
-
- duration per occurrence
- total duration
- frequency
- plus the bonus of a pattern analysis !!!
More duration measurement options:
* Wall clock/wrist watch with sweep second hand or digital display
* Stopwatch
* Online Stopwatch for recording duration or latency
* Kitchen timer device
Duration measurement applications for mobile devices, smart phones, and smart watches are available in the Apple and Android stores! These can be very efficient for data recording.
When you find other good apps or if you encounter inactive (dead end) links, please send an email to share the news and it may be posted here for others!
Free charts are available that can be used to record some types of behavior, display progress, and may be suitable for behavior contracts.
Examples: Free Printable Behavior Charts and Behavior Charts
Caution: Some websites include resources and links with intervention recommendations. Before selecting any intervention, work with the experts on your school’s problem solving team to confirm the intervention is evidence-based and linked to the function of the behavior. Then, get appropriate training and consultation (if needed), and assure team consensus before using such interventions.
Graphing
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- – UNDER CONSTRUCTION –
- Why Use Graphs? – Click here for answers
- What Are the Parts of a Basic Line Graph? – Click here for answers
www.scienceofbehavior.com/pro-tools-1/
“Low Tech” Resources:
- Blank 10 by 10 graph grid (PDF) – print and enter data by hand
- Blank 15 by 15 graph grid (PDF) – print and enter data by hand
- Blank 20 by 20 graph grid (PDF) – print and enter data by hand
- Blank 25 by 25 graph grid (PDF) – print and enter data by hand
Tip: An easy way to make a blank grid for a graph sheet is to open an MS Word document and Insert a Table.
“Medium Tech” Resources – including:
- Excel general graph templates – enter data and automatically create a graph for most purposes.
- Excel “words per minute” graph templates – with embedded aim lines for oral reading fluency.
- Directions to print, copy, paste, or modify Excel graphs, such as adding aim lines.
Graph Template 1: Display 1 or 2 behaviors of any value for up to 10 sessions, days, weeks, or months.- The Excel graph above includes sample data.
- Try entering new data to instantly modify the graph.
- The Excel templates below are blank and include easy-to-use directions for entering data to automatically create a graph.
- Graph Template 2: Display 1 or 2 behaviors of any value for up to 20 sessions, days, weeks, or months..
- Graph Template 3: Display 1 or 2 behaviors of any value for up to 31 days (also can be used for sessions, weeks, or months).
- Graph Template 4: Display 1 or 2 behaviors from 0-100% for up to 20 sessions, days, weeks, or months.
- Graph Template 5: Display 1 or 2 behaviors from 0-100% for 31 days (also can be used for sessions, weeks, or months).
- Graph Template 6: Display 1 fluency measure from 0-70 for up to 10 sessions, days, or weeks.
- Graph Template 7: Display 1 fluency measure from 0-120 for up to 10 sessions, days, or weeks.
- UNDER CONSTRUCTION: “Words per minute” (WPM) fluency graphs with embedded aim lines for grades 1 to 8.
- Make a graph a teacher can update manually: In MS Excel, enter any prior data in the spreadsheet. Leave the remaining data cells empty. Insert gridlines and print the graph. The teacher writes in future values and data points on the printed graph. This allows immediate visual display and interpretation of the data. Later, the values can be transferred to the Excel spreadsheet to update the graph.
- Template of a Graph with 2 Vertical Axes – one for student behavior and one for intervention integrity percentage
- How to make aim lines, phase lines, arrows, shapes, and text boxes in Excel graphs.
- How to Prepare a Graph With Disconnected Data Paths
- Directions on placing trend lines on Excel graphs – UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- How to print Excel graphs, and copy & paste Excel graphs into other documents or presentations.
When you find other good apps or if you encounter inactive (dead end) links, please send an email to share the news and it may be posted here for others!
- www.scienceofbehavior.com/pro-tools-1/graphing101-draft01.pdf
“High Tech” resources:
- How to create a line graph with Microsoft Excel
- JABA Article – How to create graphs with Microsoft Excel 2007
- Aligning data points with axis tick marks
- Youtube video – Creating a Reversal design graph – Christine Reeve
- Youtube video – Creating an Alternating Treatment Design – Christine Reeve
- Youtube – Creating a Multiple Baseline Graph – Peter Chan
Data Analysis
- Directions for interpreting graphs and “Response to Intervention.”
- – UNDER CONSTRUCTION –