BCBA Exam - Domain D Questions &
Answers6
Dependent variable - ANSWERS-The target behavior of interest being measured in an
experiment. Behavior is dependent on the manipulation of the IV.
Independent variable - ANSWERS-Treatment/intervention that is manipulated to assess its
effects on the target behavior (DV)
Internal validity - ANSWERS-The extent to which an experiment strongly shows that changes in
behavior are a direct result of the IV and not the result of uncontrolled/unknown variables.
External validity - ANSWERS-The extent to which the results of the study can be generalized to
other settings, behaviors, or subjects. Generality is assessed through replication of studies.
Scientific replication - ANSWERS-1) Direct replication: researchers exactly replicate a previous
study
-Intrasubject direct replication: an exact replication of a
previous study including the participants used which
strengthens the reliability of a functional relation
-Intersubject direct replication: an exact replication of a
previous study, except different participants are used
2) Systematic replication: researchers intentionally change one or more features of a prior
experiment, such as aspects of the IV or DV. Confirms external validity.
Threats to internal validity - ANSWERS-1) Measurement confounds
2) Independent variable confounds
, 3) Subject confounds
4) Setting confounds
Extraneous variables - ANSWERS-Aspect of the experimental environment other than the
independent variable that must be held constant to prevent unplanned environmental
variation.
Confounding variables - ANSWERS-Any uncontrolled factor known or suspected to exert
influence on the DV that is unexpected, not considered in planning, or unable to control.
Measurement confounds - ANSWERS-1) Observer drift: when observers collecting data have a
shift in how they interpret the operational definition of the target bx, which changes how
measurement is collected.
2) Reactivity: refers to changes in client bx due to being observed and changes in observers'
data collection being affected by being monitored and evaluated
3) Observer bias
IV confounds - ANSWERS-1) Treatment integrity: if the tx is not being implemented exactly as
defined or described that data produced will not be valid
2) Procedural fidelity: all conditions of an experiment are not implemented correctly, the data
produced will not be valid.
Subject confounds - ANSWERS-1) Maturation: changes in participatn over the course of the
study that are the result of natural growth and development
2) History: change sin environment over the course of the study that have effect on target bx
3) Attrition: reduction or decrease in the number of participants
4) Practice effects: when behavior improves due to the opportunity to practice during a long
baseline period
5) Adaptation: changes in responding due to the repeated presentation of a particular SD
Answers6
Dependent variable - ANSWERS-The target behavior of interest being measured in an
experiment. Behavior is dependent on the manipulation of the IV.
Independent variable - ANSWERS-Treatment/intervention that is manipulated to assess its
effects on the target behavior (DV)
Internal validity - ANSWERS-The extent to which an experiment strongly shows that changes in
behavior are a direct result of the IV and not the result of uncontrolled/unknown variables.
External validity - ANSWERS-The extent to which the results of the study can be generalized to
other settings, behaviors, or subjects. Generality is assessed through replication of studies.
Scientific replication - ANSWERS-1) Direct replication: researchers exactly replicate a previous
study
-Intrasubject direct replication: an exact replication of a
previous study including the participants used which
strengthens the reliability of a functional relation
-Intersubject direct replication: an exact replication of a
previous study, except different participants are used
2) Systematic replication: researchers intentionally change one or more features of a prior
experiment, such as aspects of the IV or DV. Confirms external validity.
Threats to internal validity - ANSWERS-1) Measurement confounds
2) Independent variable confounds
, 3) Subject confounds
4) Setting confounds
Extraneous variables - ANSWERS-Aspect of the experimental environment other than the
independent variable that must be held constant to prevent unplanned environmental
variation.
Confounding variables - ANSWERS-Any uncontrolled factor known or suspected to exert
influence on the DV that is unexpected, not considered in planning, or unable to control.
Measurement confounds - ANSWERS-1) Observer drift: when observers collecting data have a
shift in how they interpret the operational definition of the target bx, which changes how
measurement is collected.
2) Reactivity: refers to changes in client bx due to being observed and changes in observers'
data collection being affected by being monitored and evaluated
3) Observer bias
IV confounds - ANSWERS-1) Treatment integrity: if the tx is not being implemented exactly as
defined or described that data produced will not be valid
2) Procedural fidelity: all conditions of an experiment are not implemented correctly, the data
produced will not be valid.
Subject confounds - ANSWERS-1) Maturation: changes in participatn over the course of the
study that are the result of natural growth and development
2) History: change sin environment over the course of the study that have effect on target bx
3) Attrition: reduction or decrease in the number of participants
4) Practice effects: when behavior improves due to the opportunity to practice during a long
baseline period
5) Adaptation: changes in responding due to the repeated presentation of a particular SD
