SPCE 630 Final Exam Prep – 2025 Actual Exam Review – Ball State University –
Behaviour Analysis Comprehensive Guide.
This document is a detailed and structured final exam preparation guide for SPCE
630 at Ball State University, focused on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Single-
Case Design (SCD) research methods. It covers experimental designs (ABAB,
alternating treatments, multiple baselines), visual data analysis, internal validity,
measurement accuracy, threats to experimental control, and meta-analysis
strategies. The guide includes actual 2025 exam content, definitions, application
strategies, and comparison of design models, making it ideal for students and
professionals preparing for certification or university assessments in behaviour
analysis.
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026.
visual analysis of graphed data - ansis the cornerstone of and most frequently used data
analysis method in SCD research, particularly for determining whether a study demonstrates
experimental control.
involves systematic procedures used to evaluate specific characteristics of data patterns and
evaluate the presence of a functional relation.
advantages of visual analysis - ans-can be used to evaluate data of individuals or small groups
depending on the unit of analysis specified in the research question.
-data are collected repeatedly, graphed as they are collected, and analyzed frequently
-focuses on analysis of individual data patterns
-discovery of potentially interesting findings that may not be directly related to the original
research question or program objective.
-graphic presentation of data permits independent analysis and interpretation of results
formative visual analysis - ansconducted within and across conditions to identify behavior
change during the course of a study.
behavior change - ansoccurs when data patterns in one condition are different from data
patterns in the subsequent, adjacent condition for the same variable(s).
summative visual analysis - ansconducted following study completion, across multiple
opportunities to demonstrate behavior change to determine whether a functional relation
exists between the independent variable and the dependent variable.
adjacent conditions - ansin SCD research, data patterns are examined within and across
adjacent conditions; when data in one condition differ from what is predicted based on the
preceding condition, behavior change is demonstrated.
formative analysis is conducted in two steps - ans1. within and across adjacent condition
analyses
2. systematic examination of specific data characteristics
within condition visual analyses - ansare conducted to discern patterns within a single
condition during a study. within condition visual analyses of level, trend, and
variability/stability are critical for determining when to change conditions, deciding whether
adaptations need to be made, and providing information related to answering research
questions.
beginning with the initial condition, typically baseline, you should look for stability of data
across a minimum of at least three to five sessions prior to changing conditions.
condition change criteria - ansshould be made a priori based on hypothesized data patterns.
these criteria will guide both formative and summative decisions about experimental control.
,SPCE 630 Final Exam Prep – 2025 Actual Exam Review – Ball State University –
Behaviour Analysis Comprehensive Guide.
This document is a detailed and structured final exam preparation guide for SPCE
630 at Ball State University, focused on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Single-
Case Design (SCD) research methods. It covers experimental designs (ABAB,
alternating treatments, multiple baselines), visual data analysis, internal validity,
measurement accuracy, threats to experimental control, and meta-analysis
strategies. The guide includes actual 2025 exam content, definitions, application
strategies, and comparison of design models, making it ideal for students and
professionals preparing for certification or university assessments in behaviour
analysis.
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026.
level - ansrefers to the amount of behavior that occurs, as indicated by the ordinate scale
value. the characteristic of highest interest for behavior change, and is generally described as
low, moderate, or high.
trend - ansthe slope and direction of a data series or the direction data are moving over time.
three characteristics can be described: trend directions, trend magnitude, and trend stability.
trend direction - ansreferred to as accelerating, decelerating, or zero celebrating. trend can
further be characterized by magnitude, and is often described as steep or gradual and paired
with direction. also describe whether the direction of a trend is improving (therapeutic) or
deteriorating (contra-therapeutic).
contra therapeutic trend - ansrepresents a common data pattern in SCD data that might occur
within a condition and particularly prior to the introduction of the independent variable. this
refers to trends that are in the opposite direction of the hypothesized direction of
improvement and can establish need for the intervention.
variability - ansfluctuation from one data point to the next and is the opposite of stability; in
data with no trend, this can be summarized as the range of data values within a condition or
as the percentage of data points falling within a given stability envelope
stability - ansis predictability and consistency of data values within a condition. perceptions
of this can be influenced by scales and ranges of y axes.
between condition visual analysis - ansthe objective of this is to identify if behavior change
has occurred. in SCD research a particular condition (B) is introduced and re-introduced to
one (eg. A-B-A-B) or more than one (multiple baseline design) data series to evaluate
whether there is a functional relation between independent and dependent variables.
functional relations - ansare unequivocal demonstrations that an independent variable
produced reliable and consistent change in a dependent variable. the purpose of SCD research
is to determine if behavior change occurs when the intervention is introduced, and whether
the behavior change can vive reliably replicated.
analysis of data across adjacent conditions entails determining: - ansa) changes in data
patterns (level, trend, variability) b) immediacy of change c) amount of overlapping data
across adjacent conditions d) consistency of data patterns across similar conditions
immediacy of change - ansacross adjacent conditions is the degree to which behavior change
occurs as soon as the intervention is introduced. when a large change in level occurs
immediately after introduction of a new condition, it is referred to as an abrupt change in
level, which is indicative of an immediately powerful or immediately effective intervention.
overlap - ansrefers to values of data in one condition that are in the same range of values of
data in the subsequent, adjacent condition.
,SPCE 630 Final Exam Prep – 2025 Actual Exam Review – Ball State University –
Behaviour Analysis Comprehensive Guide.
This document is a detailed and structured final exam preparation guide for SPCE
630 at Ball State University, focused on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Single-
Case Design (SCD) research methods. It covers experimental designs (ABAB,
alternating treatments, multiple baselines), visual data analysis, internal validity,
measurement accuracy, threats to experimental control, and meta-analysis
strategies. The guide includes actual 2025 exam content, definitions, application
strategies, and comparison of design models, making it ideal for students and
professionals preparing for certification or university assessments in behaviour
analysis.
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026.
consistency - ansrefers to the extent to which data patterns in one condition are similar to data
patterns in other conditions. confident determination that a functional relation exists requires
consistency in data patterns between iterations of the same condition and inconsistency in
data patterns between different, adjacent conditions.
potential demonstrations of effect - ansa functional relation can be identified when a) there is
a sufficient number of this (three opportunities to demonstrate behavior change contingent on
condition change) and b) visual analysis suggests that consistent changes in data occur for all
potential demonstrations
the presence of a functional relation can be confirmed when - ansa) there is a successful
attempt to replicate effects of a condition b) similar conditions generate similar levels and
trends within (intra participant replication) and across (inter participant replication)
participants in a study. a minimum of three demonstrations of behavior change is required to
establish experimental control
magnitude - ansif a functional relation is present, this, or amount of behavior change may be
of interest. magnitude of effect is assessed by comparing the amount and consistency of
change across conditions and cases within a study that is directly attributed to the
intervention.
systematic process for conducting visual analysis - ans1. adequate number of data points
within conditions to establish data patterns.
2. clear patterns within conditions in level, trend, or stability
3. behavior change between adjacent conditions in level, trend, and/or variability
4. degree of overlap and immediacy of change in data patterns across adjacent conditions
5. consistency of changes across conditions and cases
6. predicted patterns of change
7. magnitude of change across conditions and cases
visual analysis requires a plan - ansa) deciding how often data will be graphed
b) considering how data will be graphically displayed
c) determining which data characteristics will be the focus of within and between condition
analyses
d) identifying design related criteria that will impact visual analysis
determining a schedule for graphing data, you should - ansa) ensure data are graphed
regularly enough to inform decision making with respect to implementing the design as
planned and b) identify relevant threats to internal validity that can be detected visually
identifying design related criteria - ansa) minimum number of sessions per condition and b)
explicit criteria for changing conditions
, SPCE 630 Final Exam Prep – 2025 Actual Exam Review – Ball State University –
Behaviour Analysis Comprehensive Guide.
This document is a detailed and structured final exam preparation guide for SPCE
630 at Ball State University, focused on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Single-
Case Design (SCD) research methods. It covers experimental designs (ABAB,
alternating treatments, multiple baselines), visual data analysis, internal validity,
measurement accuracy, threats to experimental control, and meta-analysis
strategies. The guide includes actual 2025 exam content, definitions, application
strategies, and comparison of design models, making it ideal for students and
professionals preparing for certification or university assessments in behaviour
analysis.
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026.
summative analysis should focus on - ansa) within condition data patterns were stable b)
hypothesized between condition shifts in data patterns were detected and c) these shifts
consistently co occurred with each change in condition
split middle method - ansa tool that can be used to estimate trend within conditions and
compare trends between conditions.
these are most useful when within condition trends or between condition changes in trend are
of primary interest and data show moderate or high variability within conditions.
stability envelopes - anscan be used to estimate stability in level or trend within conditions.
the primary advantage of this is to ensure consistency in experimental decisions related to
data stability.
percentage of non overlapping data - ansmay be used to estimate level change between two
adjacent conditions. the higher the PND, the more consistent and abrupt the level change
between adjacent conditions. a PND of 100% indicates no overlap in the ranges of values
between two adjacent conditions.
baseline logic - ansserves as the foundation for all single case design research. all SCDS are
mere extensions of the basic A-B paradigms, wherein behavior is measured repeatedly across
two adjacent conditions: baseline (A) and intervention (B).
single case experimental designs - anssome authors refer to designs with at least three
demonstrations of effect as this.
non experimental variations
A-B designs - ansreferred to s the simple time series design, represents the most basic non
experimental SCD. this design requires that the dependent variable be measured repeatedly
under controlled baseline (A) and intervention (B) conditions.
A-B-A designs - ansthe target behavior is repeatedly measured under baseline (A1) and
intervention (B) conditions. after the dependent variable has stabilized during intervention,
you reintroduce the baseline condition (A2) to the target behavior. this design is susceptible
to numerous threats of internal and external validity.
A-B-A-B Withdrawal design - ansalso referred to as reversal design, has been one of the most
frequently used SCDs in behavioral research. this design permits a clear and convincing
demonstration of experimental control because it requires the repeated introduction and
withdrawal of an intervention.
experimental - anscausal attributions can be made and functional relations can be
demonstrated.
internal validity in ABAB - ansmaturation threats may be likely if the baseline or intervention
conditions occur for an extended period of time. control for this by using condition lengths
that are sufficient length to establish data patterns, intervening on behaviors that are unlikely
Behaviour Analysis Comprehensive Guide.
This document is a detailed and structured final exam preparation guide for SPCE
630 at Ball State University, focused on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Single-
Case Design (SCD) research methods. It covers experimental designs (ABAB,
alternating treatments, multiple baselines), visual data analysis, internal validity,
measurement accuracy, threats to experimental control, and meta-analysis
strategies. The guide includes actual 2025 exam content, definitions, application
strategies, and comparison of design models, making it ideal for students and
professionals preparing for certification or university assessments in behaviour
analysis.
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026.
visual analysis of graphed data - ansis the cornerstone of and most frequently used data
analysis method in SCD research, particularly for determining whether a study demonstrates
experimental control.
involves systematic procedures used to evaluate specific characteristics of data patterns and
evaluate the presence of a functional relation.
advantages of visual analysis - ans-can be used to evaluate data of individuals or small groups
depending on the unit of analysis specified in the research question.
-data are collected repeatedly, graphed as they are collected, and analyzed frequently
-focuses on analysis of individual data patterns
-discovery of potentially interesting findings that may not be directly related to the original
research question or program objective.
-graphic presentation of data permits independent analysis and interpretation of results
formative visual analysis - ansconducted within and across conditions to identify behavior
change during the course of a study.
behavior change - ansoccurs when data patterns in one condition are different from data
patterns in the subsequent, adjacent condition for the same variable(s).
summative visual analysis - ansconducted following study completion, across multiple
opportunities to demonstrate behavior change to determine whether a functional relation
exists between the independent variable and the dependent variable.
adjacent conditions - ansin SCD research, data patterns are examined within and across
adjacent conditions; when data in one condition differ from what is predicted based on the
preceding condition, behavior change is demonstrated.
formative analysis is conducted in two steps - ans1. within and across adjacent condition
analyses
2. systematic examination of specific data characteristics
within condition visual analyses - ansare conducted to discern patterns within a single
condition during a study. within condition visual analyses of level, trend, and
variability/stability are critical for determining when to change conditions, deciding whether
adaptations need to be made, and providing information related to answering research
questions.
beginning with the initial condition, typically baseline, you should look for stability of data
across a minimum of at least three to five sessions prior to changing conditions.
condition change criteria - ansshould be made a priori based on hypothesized data patterns.
these criteria will guide both formative and summative decisions about experimental control.
,SPCE 630 Final Exam Prep – 2025 Actual Exam Review – Ball State University –
Behaviour Analysis Comprehensive Guide.
This document is a detailed and structured final exam preparation guide for SPCE
630 at Ball State University, focused on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Single-
Case Design (SCD) research methods. It covers experimental designs (ABAB,
alternating treatments, multiple baselines), visual data analysis, internal validity,
measurement accuracy, threats to experimental control, and meta-analysis
strategies. The guide includes actual 2025 exam content, definitions, application
strategies, and comparison of design models, making it ideal for students and
professionals preparing for certification or university assessments in behaviour
analysis.
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026.
level - ansrefers to the amount of behavior that occurs, as indicated by the ordinate scale
value. the characteristic of highest interest for behavior change, and is generally described as
low, moderate, or high.
trend - ansthe slope and direction of a data series or the direction data are moving over time.
three characteristics can be described: trend directions, trend magnitude, and trend stability.
trend direction - ansreferred to as accelerating, decelerating, or zero celebrating. trend can
further be characterized by magnitude, and is often described as steep or gradual and paired
with direction. also describe whether the direction of a trend is improving (therapeutic) or
deteriorating (contra-therapeutic).
contra therapeutic trend - ansrepresents a common data pattern in SCD data that might occur
within a condition and particularly prior to the introduction of the independent variable. this
refers to trends that are in the opposite direction of the hypothesized direction of
improvement and can establish need for the intervention.
variability - ansfluctuation from one data point to the next and is the opposite of stability; in
data with no trend, this can be summarized as the range of data values within a condition or
as the percentage of data points falling within a given stability envelope
stability - ansis predictability and consistency of data values within a condition. perceptions
of this can be influenced by scales and ranges of y axes.
between condition visual analysis - ansthe objective of this is to identify if behavior change
has occurred. in SCD research a particular condition (B) is introduced and re-introduced to
one (eg. A-B-A-B) or more than one (multiple baseline design) data series to evaluate
whether there is a functional relation between independent and dependent variables.
functional relations - ansare unequivocal demonstrations that an independent variable
produced reliable and consistent change in a dependent variable. the purpose of SCD research
is to determine if behavior change occurs when the intervention is introduced, and whether
the behavior change can vive reliably replicated.
analysis of data across adjacent conditions entails determining: - ansa) changes in data
patterns (level, trend, variability) b) immediacy of change c) amount of overlapping data
across adjacent conditions d) consistency of data patterns across similar conditions
immediacy of change - ansacross adjacent conditions is the degree to which behavior change
occurs as soon as the intervention is introduced. when a large change in level occurs
immediately after introduction of a new condition, it is referred to as an abrupt change in
level, which is indicative of an immediately powerful or immediately effective intervention.
overlap - ansrefers to values of data in one condition that are in the same range of values of
data in the subsequent, adjacent condition.
,SPCE 630 Final Exam Prep – 2025 Actual Exam Review – Ball State University –
Behaviour Analysis Comprehensive Guide.
This document is a detailed and structured final exam preparation guide for SPCE
630 at Ball State University, focused on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Single-
Case Design (SCD) research methods. It covers experimental designs (ABAB,
alternating treatments, multiple baselines), visual data analysis, internal validity,
measurement accuracy, threats to experimental control, and meta-analysis
strategies. The guide includes actual 2025 exam content, definitions, application
strategies, and comparison of design models, making it ideal for students and
professionals preparing for certification or university assessments in behaviour
analysis.
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026.
consistency - ansrefers to the extent to which data patterns in one condition are similar to data
patterns in other conditions. confident determination that a functional relation exists requires
consistency in data patterns between iterations of the same condition and inconsistency in
data patterns between different, adjacent conditions.
potential demonstrations of effect - ansa functional relation can be identified when a) there is
a sufficient number of this (three opportunities to demonstrate behavior change contingent on
condition change) and b) visual analysis suggests that consistent changes in data occur for all
potential demonstrations
the presence of a functional relation can be confirmed when - ansa) there is a successful
attempt to replicate effects of a condition b) similar conditions generate similar levels and
trends within (intra participant replication) and across (inter participant replication)
participants in a study. a minimum of three demonstrations of behavior change is required to
establish experimental control
magnitude - ansif a functional relation is present, this, or amount of behavior change may be
of interest. magnitude of effect is assessed by comparing the amount and consistency of
change across conditions and cases within a study that is directly attributed to the
intervention.
systematic process for conducting visual analysis - ans1. adequate number of data points
within conditions to establish data patterns.
2. clear patterns within conditions in level, trend, or stability
3. behavior change between adjacent conditions in level, trend, and/or variability
4. degree of overlap and immediacy of change in data patterns across adjacent conditions
5. consistency of changes across conditions and cases
6. predicted patterns of change
7. magnitude of change across conditions and cases
visual analysis requires a plan - ansa) deciding how often data will be graphed
b) considering how data will be graphically displayed
c) determining which data characteristics will be the focus of within and between condition
analyses
d) identifying design related criteria that will impact visual analysis
determining a schedule for graphing data, you should - ansa) ensure data are graphed
regularly enough to inform decision making with respect to implementing the design as
planned and b) identify relevant threats to internal validity that can be detected visually
identifying design related criteria - ansa) minimum number of sessions per condition and b)
explicit criteria for changing conditions
, SPCE 630 Final Exam Prep – 2025 Actual Exam Review – Ball State University –
Behaviour Analysis Comprehensive Guide.
This document is a detailed and structured final exam preparation guide for SPCE
630 at Ball State University, focused on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Single-
Case Design (SCD) research methods. It covers experimental designs (ABAB,
alternating treatments, multiple baselines), visual data analysis, internal validity,
measurement accuracy, threats to experimental control, and meta-analysis
strategies. The guide includes actual 2025 exam content, definitions, application
strategies, and comparison of design models, making it ideal for students and
professionals preparing for certification or university assessments in behaviour
analysis.
Latest Updated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026.
summative analysis should focus on - ansa) within condition data patterns were stable b)
hypothesized between condition shifts in data patterns were detected and c) these shifts
consistently co occurred with each change in condition
split middle method - ansa tool that can be used to estimate trend within conditions and
compare trends between conditions.
these are most useful when within condition trends or between condition changes in trend are
of primary interest and data show moderate or high variability within conditions.
stability envelopes - anscan be used to estimate stability in level or trend within conditions.
the primary advantage of this is to ensure consistency in experimental decisions related to
data stability.
percentage of non overlapping data - ansmay be used to estimate level change between two
adjacent conditions. the higher the PND, the more consistent and abrupt the level change
between adjacent conditions. a PND of 100% indicates no overlap in the ranges of values
between two adjacent conditions.
baseline logic - ansserves as the foundation for all single case design research. all SCDS are
mere extensions of the basic A-B paradigms, wherein behavior is measured repeatedly across
two adjacent conditions: baseline (A) and intervention (B).
single case experimental designs - anssome authors refer to designs with at least three
demonstrations of effect as this.
non experimental variations
A-B designs - ansreferred to s the simple time series design, represents the most basic non
experimental SCD. this design requires that the dependent variable be measured repeatedly
under controlled baseline (A) and intervention (B) conditions.
A-B-A designs - ansthe target behavior is repeatedly measured under baseline (A1) and
intervention (B) conditions. after the dependent variable has stabilized during intervention,
you reintroduce the baseline condition (A2) to the target behavior. this design is susceptible
to numerous threats of internal and external validity.
A-B-A-B Withdrawal design - ansalso referred to as reversal design, has been one of the most
frequently used SCDs in behavioral research. this design permits a clear and convincing
demonstration of experimental control because it requires the repeated introduction and
withdrawal of an intervention.
experimental - anscausal attributions can be made and functional relations can be
demonstrated.
internal validity in ABAB - ansmaturation threats may be likely if the baseline or intervention
conditions occur for an extended period of time. control for this by using condition lengths
that are sufficient length to establish data patterns, intervening on behaviors that are unlikely
