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SPCE 630 FINAL EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SPCE 630 FINAL EXAM – 250 QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE EXAM
SPCE 630 – Research Methods for Behavior Analysis
SECTION 1: BACB ETHICS CODE & PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT (Questions 1-60)
1. A behavior analyst discovers a colleague has falsified data in a published study.
According to the BACB Ethics Code, the analyst's FIRST action should be:
A) Confront the colleague privately
B) Report to the BACB immediately
C) Contact the journal editor
D) Review the data personally to confirm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Code 2.09 (Truthfulness) requires reporting suspected unethical conduct to the
BACB. Confrontation (A) may be attempted first but is not required; reporting is mandatory.
The BACB has jurisdiction over ethical violations by certificants .
2. A practitioner wants to use a token economy in a school. The principal asks for
evidence of effectiveness. This request aligns with which ethical principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Accountability
C) Confidentiality
D) Autonomy
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Accountability (Code 1.02) requires behavior analysts to provide evidence-based
services. Providing data is part of professional accountability. The principal's request for
evidence reflects this ethical obligation .
3. A BCBA is asked by a parent if their child will be "cured" of autism. The BCBA
responds that ABA can improve skills but cannot guarantee a cure. The BCBA's
response is consistent with:
A) Informed consent
B) Scope of competence
C) Respect for autonomy
D) Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Code 1.05 (Practicing within Scope of Competence) prohibits claiming outcomes
beyond the evidence base. The BCBA correctly avoids making claims about outcomes that
cannot be supported by scientific evidence .
4. A parent demands the BCBA use aversive punishment procedures. The BCBA
refuses. This is primarily guided by:
A) Beneficence
B) Least restrictive alternative
C) Client rights
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Beneficence (do good), least restrictive procedures (Code 2.10), and client rights
(Code 2.05) all support using reinforcement-first approaches. The BCBA's refusal is ethically
justified on multiple grounds .
5. If the BCBA terminates the relationship due to a conflict with a client, they must:
A) Provide a list of other providers
B) Continue services until transfer is complete
C) Both A and B
D) Terminate immediately with written notice
Correct Answer: C
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Rationale: Code 2.15 (Interruption/Discontinuation) requires facilitated transfer and
continued services until a new provider is arranged. The BCBA must not abandon the client .
6. Which scenario violates a dual relationship prohibition?
A) Accepting a homemade gift from a client
B) Babysitting a client for one evening
C) Attending a client's birthday party as an invited guest
D) Giving a small token of appreciation to a client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Babysitting creates a non-professional relationship that impairs objectivity (Code
1.11). Small gifts or infrequent community events may be acceptable if not exploitative or
impairing professional judgment .
7. A BCBA has a client who is also a neighbor. The BCBA waves hello when passing.
This is:
A) A minor dual relationship, acceptable
B) Always unethical
C) Permitted only with written consent
D) Considered exploitation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Unavoidable incidental contact (neighbors) does not constitute a violation if
professional boundaries are maintained (Code 1.11). Professionalism requires maintaining
appropriate boundaries in unavoidable dual relationships .
8. The BACB Ethics Code requires that fees be:
A) Discussed only if the client asks
B) Clearly described before services begin
C) Contingent on outcomes
D) Adjusted based on client's income
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Code 2.07 (Financial Arrangements) mandates advance disclosure of fees. Clients
must understand financial obligations before consenting to services .
9. A BCBA is asked to provide services for a family member. The BCBA should:
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A) Decline due to objectivity concerns
B) Accept if no other providers exist
C) Accept with documented consent
D) Provide only consultation, not direct therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Code 1.10 (Avoiding Harmful Multiple Relationships) requires BCBAs to avoid
relationships that could impair objectivity or exploit clients. Professional objectivity is
compromised when serving family members .
10. A BCBA's Facebook account includes a photo with a client (face hidden). This is:
A) Acceptable with parental consent
B) Unethical because clients should never be identifiable
C) Acceptable if no identifying info is in the post
D) Acceptable if the client is anonymized
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Code 2.06 (Maintaining Confidentiality) prohibits sharing any image that could
lead to identification, even if the face is hidden. Clothing, setting, or other contextual clues
could compromise client privacy .
11. The BACB Ethics Code requires that behavior analysts use the least restrictive
procedures. This is primarily aligned with:
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Client rights
D) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Least restrictive procedures align with nonmaleficence (avoiding harm) and client
rights (autonomy and dignity). Code 2.10 specifically addresses this ethical standard .
12. A behavior analyst wants to use a new assessment that lacks published reliability
data. This would violate:
A) Code 3.01 (Evidence-Based Practice)
B) Code 2.03 (Assessment)
SPCE 630 FINAL EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SPCE 630 FINAL EXAM – 250 QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE EXAM
SPCE 630 – Research Methods for Behavior Analysis
SECTION 1: BACB ETHICS CODE & PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT (Questions 1-60)
1. A behavior analyst discovers a colleague has falsified data in a published study.
According to the BACB Ethics Code, the analyst's FIRST action should be:
A) Confront the colleague privately
B) Report to the BACB immediately
C) Contact the journal editor
D) Review the data personally to confirm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Code 2.09 (Truthfulness) requires reporting suspected unethical conduct to the
BACB. Confrontation (A) may be attempted first but is not required; reporting is mandatory.
The BACB has jurisdiction over ethical violations by certificants .
2. A practitioner wants to use a token economy in a school. The principal asks for
evidence of effectiveness. This request aligns with which ethical principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Accountability
C) Confidentiality
D) Autonomy
Correct Answer: B
, Page 2 of 72
Rationale: Accountability (Code 1.02) requires behavior analysts to provide evidence-based
services. Providing data is part of professional accountability. The principal's request for
evidence reflects this ethical obligation .
3. A BCBA is asked by a parent if their child will be "cured" of autism. The BCBA
responds that ABA can improve skills but cannot guarantee a cure. The BCBA's
response is consistent with:
A) Informed consent
B) Scope of competence
C) Respect for autonomy
D) Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Code 1.05 (Practicing within Scope of Competence) prohibits claiming outcomes
beyond the evidence base. The BCBA correctly avoids making claims about outcomes that
cannot be supported by scientific evidence .
4. A parent demands the BCBA use aversive punishment procedures. The BCBA
refuses. This is primarily guided by:
A) Beneficence
B) Least restrictive alternative
C) Client rights
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Beneficence (do good), least restrictive procedures (Code 2.10), and client rights
(Code 2.05) all support using reinforcement-first approaches. The BCBA's refusal is ethically
justified on multiple grounds .
5. If the BCBA terminates the relationship due to a conflict with a client, they must:
A) Provide a list of other providers
B) Continue services until transfer is complete
C) Both A and B
D) Terminate immediately with written notice
Correct Answer: C
, Page 3 of 72
Rationale: Code 2.15 (Interruption/Discontinuation) requires facilitated transfer and
continued services until a new provider is arranged. The BCBA must not abandon the client .
6. Which scenario violates a dual relationship prohibition?
A) Accepting a homemade gift from a client
B) Babysitting a client for one evening
C) Attending a client's birthday party as an invited guest
D) Giving a small token of appreciation to a client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Babysitting creates a non-professional relationship that impairs objectivity (Code
1.11). Small gifts or infrequent community events may be acceptable if not exploitative or
impairing professional judgment .
7. A BCBA has a client who is also a neighbor. The BCBA waves hello when passing.
This is:
A) A minor dual relationship, acceptable
B) Always unethical
C) Permitted only with written consent
D) Considered exploitation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Unavoidable incidental contact (neighbors) does not constitute a violation if
professional boundaries are maintained (Code 1.11). Professionalism requires maintaining
appropriate boundaries in unavoidable dual relationships .
8. The BACB Ethics Code requires that fees be:
A) Discussed only if the client asks
B) Clearly described before services begin
C) Contingent on outcomes
D) Adjusted based on client's income
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Code 2.07 (Financial Arrangements) mandates advance disclosure of fees. Clients
must understand financial obligations before consenting to services .
9. A BCBA is asked to provide services for a family member. The BCBA should:
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A) Decline due to objectivity concerns
B) Accept if no other providers exist
C) Accept with documented consent
D) Provide only consultation, not direct therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Code 1.10 (Avoiding Harmful Multiple Relationships) requires BCBAs to avoid
relationships that could impair objectivity or exploit clients. Professional objectivity is
compromised when serving family members .
10. A BCBA's Facebook account includes a photo with a client (face hidden). This is:
A) Acceptable with parental consent
B) Unethical because clients should never be identifiable
C) Acceptable if no identifying info is in the post
D) Acceptable if the client is anonymized
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Code 2.06 (Maintaining Confidentiality) prohibits sharing any image that could
lead to identification, even if the face is hidden. Clothing, setting, or other contextual clues
could compromise client privacy .
11. The BACB Ethics Code requires that behavior analysts use the least restrictive
procedures. This is primarily aligned with:
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Client rights
D) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Least restrictive procedures align with nonmaleficence (avoiding harm) and client
rights (autonomy and dignity). Code 2.10 specifically addresses this ethical standard .
12. A behavior analyst wants to use a new assessment that lacks published reliability
data. This would violate:
A) Code 3.01 (Evidence-Based Practice)
B) Code 2.03 (Assessment)
