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Behavior and Sequential Analyses
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Behavior and Sequential Analyses
Principles and Practice


January 2003 | 384 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

"Sharpe and Koperwas provide a methodological framework that objectifies the complexity of behavior. This book's quantitative and multiple-event approach to data collection and analysis is essential for effective descriptions and explanations of the behavior of humans and nonhumans. Of particular note is the multidisciplinary applicability of the methodology and that the methods can be used by basic, applied, and clinical researchers. Human service providers are being increasingly pressured to take objective measures; practitioners should find much in this book to help them satisfactorily meet these demands. The authors' sensitivity to clarity of presentation makes the book an excellent primary or supplementary text for any course in behavior methodology."

-- Dennis J. Delprato, Eastern Michigan University

 "I think the author did a very thoughtful, informed analysis and presentation of his view of research methodology."

-Richard W. Malott, Western Michigan University

 

"This text dispels the myth that the principles and practices of behavioral research are context-free. It describes how they are integral to a modern science of behavior. This is not only a "how to" text, but an historical "where from" and a modern "what for" treatment of behavioral methodology and research design."

 -Edward K. Morris, University of Kansas

 

Modern computer-based data collection and analysis techniques have given researchers unprecedented ability to collect, analyze, and visually represent complex, multi-event configurations of behavior interaction, yet most applied behavior analysis textbooks have failed to embrace the many significant technological advances.

Behavior and Sequential Analyses: Principles and Practice provides a step-by-step approach to such computer-facilitated behavior analysis research and evaluation procedures. Tom Sharpe and John Koperwas emphasize methods designed to collect and analyze both the multiple characteristics of behaviors and events of interest and the time-based or sequential characteristics of behavior and event relationships. Intended for an interdisciplinary audience, this is the only text to guide readers through development and implementation of technologically supported multiple-event, multiple measure, discrete and sequential analysis of behavior.

Designed for highly interactive applied settings, this user-friendly volume includes

    • Procedures for observation system construction
    • Data recording methods and research design types
    • Visual and statistical data analysis procedures
    • Recommended research, evaluation, and instructional applications for psychology, education, and other social science settings
    • Suggestions for reliability and treatment fidelity issues
    • References to technological innovations including the BEST and BESTPCC data collection and analysis software package

Behavior and Sequential Analyses presents a comprehensive summary of applied behavior analysis methods and introduces numerous up-to-date systems and sequential methodologies. To facilitate student learning, the authors include lists of key terms, study guide questions, practical illustrations, and important references.

Developed as an introductory to intermediate level methodology text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in social and behavioral sciences and education, Behavior and Sequential Analyses is also a unique and indispensable reference for the experienced researcher.


 
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
 
DEDICATION
 
FOREWORD BY TOM SHARPE
 
PART I: BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS: HISTORY AND INTRODUCTION
 
CHAPTER ONE: History and Evolution
Terms and Study Guide

 
A Brief History of Behavior Analysis

 
Science as a Direct Observation, Descriptive Enterprise

 
Toward a Multiple Research Method Compatibility Theory

 
Some Myths About Behavior Analysis Debunked

 
Overview of Behavior Analysis Principles and Practice

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

 
 
CHAPTER TWO: A Behavior and Sequential Analyses Primer
Terms and Study Guide

 
Some Introductory Terms

 
Behavior Analysis Unpacked

 
Foundations of Field Systems and Sequential Analyses

 
Behavior Alayisis as a Descriptive/Explanatory Enterprise

 
How Behavior Analysis Conceptualized Mental Events

An Endnote on "Feelings" and Metaphysical Explanations

An Endnote on "Feelings" and Metaphysical Explanations

An Endnote on "Feelings" and Metaphysical Explanations

 
 
CHAPTER THREE: An Interbehavioral Multi-Event Perspective
Terms and Study Guide

 
From Science to Technology

 
Differences in Assessment: Modeling an Interbehavioral Lens
Differences in Assessment: Modeling an Interbehavioral Lens
Differences in Assessment: Modeling an Interbehavioral Lens

 
Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences
Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences

Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences

Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences
Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences

 
The Implications of Computer Technology

 
Some Assumptions and Limitations

 
A Preface to Behavior Analysis Methodology

 
 
PART II: CONSTRUCTING OBSERVATIONAL SYSTEMS
 
CHAPTER FOUR: Constructing a Coding Scheme
Terms and Study Guide

 
A Preface to Category System Construction

 
Defining Purposes

 
Determining Observation System Characteristics

 
Recording Physical Versus Social Coding Schemes

 
How to Construct Operational Definitions

 
 
CHAPTER FIVE: Inderdisciplinary Examples and Illustrations
Terms and Study Guide

 
A General Framework for Developing a Coding Scheme

 
Examples From Teacher Education

 
Examples From School Psychology

 
Examples From Special Education

 
An Illustration From Clinical Psychology

 
A Systems Code From Ethology

 
 
CHAPTER SIX: Reliability and Staff Training
Terms and Study Guide

 
The Purposes of Assessment

 
The Issue of Data Accuracy

 
A Recommended Three-Step Reliability Process

 
Treatment Fidelity

 
Reliability Formula Summaries

 
Summary and Foreground for Part III

 
 
PART III: RECORDING TACTICS, DESIGN TYPES, AND DATA ANALYSIS
 
CHAPTER SEVEN: Approaches to Recording Direct Observational Data
Terms and Study Guide

 
Measurement Options

 
Traditional Recording Methods

 
Recording in Real Time

 
 
CHAPTER EIGHT: Constructing an Appropriate Research Design
Terms and Study Guide

 
Validity Issues

 
The Simplest Case: An ABAB Design

 
The Multiple Baseline Design

 
Additional Design Options

 
Design Choice Summary

 
 
CHAPTER NINE: Analyzing Observational Data
Terms and Study Guide

 
Preparing a Graph

 
Visual Inspection

 
The Challenge of Statistical Analyses

 
Some Recommendations Regarding Statistical Analyses

 
Sequential Analyses

 
An Endnote on Sequential Data

 
 
PART IV: APPLICATION ILLUSTRATIONS AND A WINDOW TO THE FUTURE
 
CHAPTER TEN: Measurably Superior Instruction and Therapy
Terms and Study Guide

 
A Return to the Counting of Things?

 
Research and Development Opportunities

 
Instruction and Evaluation

 
Laboratory Applications

 
 
APPENDIX A: SEQUENTIAL ANALYSIS FORMULAE
 
APPENDIX B: BEHAVIOR EVALUATION STRATEGY AND TAXONOMY (BEST) SOFTWARE
 
REFERENCES

"Sharpe and Koperwas provide a methodological framework that objectifies the complexity of behavior. This book’s quantitative and multiple-event approach to data collection and analysis is essential for effective descriptions and explanations of the behavior of humans and nonhumans. Of particular note is the multidisciplinary applicability of the methodology and that the methods can be used by basic, applied, and clinical researchers. Human service providers are being increasingly pressured to take objective measures; practitioners should find much in this book to help them satisfactorily meet these demands. The authors’ sensitivity to clarity of presentation makes the book an excellent primary or supplementary text for any course in behavior methodology."

Dennis J. Delprato
Eastern Michigan University

"I think the author did a very thoughtful, informed analysis and presentation of his view of research methodology."

Richard W. Malott
Western Michigan University
Key features
  • This is the only text to guide readers through development and implementation of technologically supported multiple-event, multiple measure, discrete and sequential analysis of behavior in highly interactive applied settings.
  • Chapter-opening pedagogy eases the reader into each chapter with an inspirational quote, listing of key terms, and learning objectives in the form of "Study Guide Questions."
  • Concrete illustrations provided throughout support the practicality and ease of all methods described.
  • References to software resources, including the BEST and BESTPCC data collection and analysis package developed by the authors, highlight technological innovations in methods for this field.

Sample Materials & Chapters

CHAPTER ONE: History and Evolution


For instructors

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