BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS · RESEARCH METHODS
SPCE 630 Final Exam 2026/2027
A+
Complete Blueprint Coverage · Single-Case Research Methods
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED EXAM DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
Foundations of Single-Case Research and Measurement
Single-Case Experimental Designs
Visual Analysis, Graphing, and Data Interpretation
Internal Validity, External Validity, and Threats
Procedural Integrity, Ethics, and Applied Decision-Making
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
,SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF SINGLE-CASE RESEARCH AND MEASUREMENT
Q1.
A behavior analyst is planning a study to evaluate an intervention for reducing aggression in a student with autism. The
analyst wants to demonstrate a functional relation between the intervention and the target behavior. Which research
approach is most appropriate?
A. A large-group randomized controlled trial with statistical significance testing only.
B. A single-case experimental design in which the participant serves as his or her own control through repeated
measurement across baseline and intervention conditions.
C. A qualitative interview study of teacher perceptions.
D. A one-time post-test survey of classroom staff.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Single-case experimental designs use repeated measurement and systematic introduction of the independent variable to demonstrate
functional relations at the individual level, which is the hallmark of applied behavior analysis research.
Q2.
A researcher records the number of times a student raises a hand during 15-minute observation sessions. Which
dimension of measurement is being used?
A. Latency
B. Frequency (or rate if time is held constant)
C. Duration
D. Interresponse time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Counting discrete occurrences of a behavior yields frequency (or rate when divided by time). Latency is time to onset, duration is how
long a behavior lasts, and interresponse time is the interval between responses.
Q3.
When selecting a measurement system for a high-rate, continuous behavior such as on-task engagement, which
procedure is often most practical and still yields representative data?
A. Continuous frequency counting of every instance for the entire school day.
B. Momentary time sampling or partial-interval recording during scheduled observation periods.
C. Only anecdotal notes without quantified data.
D. Measuring latency exclusively.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Time-sampling methods allow efficient estimation of high-rate or continuous behaviors without requiring continuous observation, while
still supporting data-based decisions when used properly.
, Q4.
A study reports interobserver agreement (IOA) of 65 percent for a primary dependent variable. How should this finding
be interpreted for the credibility of the data?
A. IOA above 50 percent is always acceptable.
B. IOA of 65 percent is below conventional standards (typically ≥80–90 percent) and raises concerns about the reliability of
the measurement system.
C. IOA is irrelevant in single-case research.
D. Low IOA improves external validity.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Adequate IOA is required to support the reliability of the data. Values substantially below 80–90 percent (depending on the method)
call the accuracy of the measurement into question.
Q5.
A behavior analyst wants to measure the accuracy with which a teacher implements a prompting procedure. Which type
of data is being collected?
A. Primary dependent-variable data on student behavior only.
B. Procedural integrity (treatment fidelity) data.
C. Social validity ratings from parents exclusively.
D. Baseline logic data without an intervention.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Procedural integrity (or treatment fidelity) assesses the degree to which the independent variable is implemented as planned. It is
distinct from the primary dependent measures of client behavior.
Q6.
In single-case research the individual participant is the unit of analysis. What does this imply for data interpretation?
A. Only group means are examined.
B. Each participant’s data are inspected separately to evaluate within-subject changes across conditions; conclusions are
drawn at the individual level before considering replication across participants.
C. Statistical tests for group differences are required before any conclusion.
D. Data from different participants are always averaged first.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Single-case logic evaluates experimental control within each participant. Replication across participants strengthens external validity
but does not replace individual-level analysis.
SPCE 630 Final Exam 2026/2027
A+
Complete Blueprint Coverage · Single-Case Research Methods
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED EXAM DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
Foundations of Single-Case Research and Measurement
Single-Case Experimental Designs
Visual Analysis, Graphing, and Data Interpretation
Internal Validity, External Validity, and Threats
Procedural Integrity, Ethics, and Applied Decision-Making
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
,SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF SINGLE-CASE RESEARCH AND MEASUREMENT
Q1.
A behavior analyst is planning a study to evaluate an intervention for reducing aggression in a student with autism. The
analyst wants to demonstrate a functional relation between the intervention and the target behavior. Which research
approach is most appropriate?
A. A large-group randomized controlled trial with statistical significance testing only.
B. A single-case experimental design in which the participant serves as his or her own control through repeated
measurement across baseline and intervention conditions.
C. A qualitative interview study of teacher perceptions.
D. A one-time post-test survey of classroom staff.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Single-case experimental designs use repeated measurement and systematic introduction of the independent variable to demonstrate
functional relations at the individual level, which is the hallmark of applied behavior analysis research.
Q2.
A researcher records the number of times a student raises a hand during 15-minute observation sessions. Which
dimension of measurement is being used?
A. Latency
B. Frequency (or rate if time is held constant)
C. Duration
D. Interresponse time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Counting discrete occurrences of a behavior yields frequency (or rate when divided by time). Latency is time to onset, duration is how
long a behavior lasts, and interresponse time is the interval between responses.
Q3.
When selecting a measurement system for a high-rate, continuous behavior such as on-task engagement, which
procedure is often most practical and still yields representative data?
A. Continuous frequency counting of every instance for the entire school day.
B. Momentary time sampling or partial-interval recording during scheduled observation periods.
C. Only anecdotal notes without quantified data.
D. Measuring latency exclusively.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Time-sampling methods allow efficient estimation of high-rate or continuous behaviors without requiring continuous observation, while
still supporting data-based decisions when used properly.
, Q4.
A study reports interobserver agreement (IOA) of 65 percent for a primary dependent variable. How should this finding
be interpreted for the credibility of the data?
A. IOA above 50 percent is always acceptable.
B. IOA of 65 percent is below conventional standards (typically ≥80–90 percent) and raises concerns about the reliability of
the measurement system.
C. IOA is irrelevant in single-case research.
D. Low IOA improves external validity.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Adequate IOA is required to support the reliability of the data. Values substantially below 80–90 percent (depending on the method)
call the accuracy of the measurement into question.
Q5.
A behavior analyst wants to measure the accuracy with which a teacher implements a prompting procedure. Which type
of data is being collected?
A. Primary dependent-variable data on student behavior only.
B. Procedural integrity (treatment fidelity) data.
C. Social validity ratings from parents exclusively.
D. Baseline logic data without an intervention.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Procedural integrity (or treatment fidelity) assesses the degree to which the independent variable is implemented as planned. It is
distinct from the primary dependent measures of client behavior.
Q6.
In single-case research the individual participant is the unit of analysis. What does this imply for data interpretation?
A. Only group means are examined.
B. Each participant’s data are inspected separately to evaluate within-subject changes across conditions; conclusions are
drawn at the individual level before considering replication across participants.
C. Statistical tests for group differences are required before any conclusion.
D. Data from different participants are always averaged first.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Single-case logic evaluates experimental control within each participant. Replication across participants strengthens external validity
but does not replace individual-level analysis.
