Strategies and Tactics of Behavioral Research and Practice

Strategies and Tactics of Behavioral Research and Practice focuses on the most effective methods for measuring and evaluating changes in behavior. The authors provide the rationale for different procedures for measuring behavior and designing within-subject comparisons between control and intervention conditions.

Strategies and Tactics of Behavioral Research and Practice focuses on the most effective methods for measuring and evaluating changes in behavior. The authors provide the rationale for different procedures for measuring behavior and designing within-subject comparisons between control and intervention conditions. The text explains the strengths and weaknesses of methodological alternatives for every topic so that behavioral researchers and practitioners can make the best decisions in each situation.

This classic text has been extensively revised to be more accessible and practical. Not only does it feature much more discussion of how research methods are relevant to today's practitioners, it also includes additional examples based on field research and service delivery scenarios. With expanded coverage on creating experimental designs, as well as new chapters on behavioral assessment, the statistical analysis of data, and ethical issues associated with research methods, this book provides a strong foundation for direct behavioral measurement, within-subject research design, and interpretation of behavioral interventions.

Enriched with more pedagogical features, including key terms, tables summarizing important points, figures to help readers visualize text, and updated examples and suggested readings, this book is an invaluable resource for students taking courses in research methods. This book is appropriate for researchers and practitioners in behavior analysis, psychology, education, social work, and other social and health science programs that address questions about behavior in research or practice settings.

Autorentext

James M. Johnston is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Auburn University, USA.

Henry S. Pennypacker is a Professor Emeritus of the University of Florida, USA.

Gina Green is Chief Executive Officer at the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, USA.

Inhalt

PREFACE

PART ONE THE NATURAL SCIENCE OF BEHAVIOR

1 DISCOVERY IN RESEACH AND PRACTICE

2 BEHAVIOR AS A SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL SUBJECT MATTER

3 ASKING QUESTIONS: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO

KNOW?

PART TWO MEASUREMENT

4 SELECTING AND DEFINING TARGET BEHAVIORS

5 DIMENSIONS OF BEHAVIOR AND UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

6 OBSERVING AND RECORDING

7 BEHAVIOR ANALYTIC ASSESSMENT

8. EVALUATING MEASUREMENT

PART THREE DESIGN

9 BEHAVIORAL VARIABILITY

10 STEADY STATES AND TRANSITIONS

11 DESIGNING BEHAVIORAL COMPARISIONS

12 SINGLE BASELINE DESIGNS

13 MULTILE BASELINE DESIGNS

PART FOUR INTERPRETATION

14 GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIORAL DATA

15 GROUP RESEARCH DESIGNS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES

16 INTERPRETING RESEARCH AND PRACTICAL PROJECTS

17 BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS RESEARCH ETHICS

GLOSSARY

REFERENCES