SPCE 630 FINAL EXAM
|QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|LATEST 2026 REVISED
UPDATE|100% CORRECT.
visual analysis of graphed data - answer-is 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 - answer--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 - answer-conducted within and across conditions to identify
behavior change during the course of a study.
behavior change - answer-occurs when data patterns in one condition are different from
data patterns in the subsequent, adjacent condition for the same variable(s).
summative visual analysis - answer-conducted 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 - answer-in 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 - answer-1. within and across adjacent
condition analyses
2. systematic examination of specific data characteristics
within condition visual analyses - answer-are 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 - answer-should be made a priori based on hypothesized data
patterns. these criteria will guide both formative and summative decisions about
experimental control.
level - answer-refers 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 - answer-the 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 - answer-referred 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 - answer-represents 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 - answer-fluctuation 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 - answer-is 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 - answer-the 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 - answer-are 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: - answer-a) 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 - answer-across 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.
|QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|LATEST 2026 REVISED
UPDATE|100% CORRECT.
visual analysis of graphed data - answer-is 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 - answer--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 - answer-conducted within and across conditions to identify
behavior change during the course of a study.
behavior change - answer-occurs when data patterns in one condition are different from
data patterns in the subsequent, adjacent condition for the same variable(s).
summative visual analysis - answer-conducted 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 - answer-in 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 - answer-1. within and across adjacent
condition analyses
2. systematic examination of specific data characteristics
within condition visual analyses - answer-are 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 - answer-should be made a priori based on hypothesized data
patterns. these criteria will guide both formative and summative decisions about
experimental control.
level - answer-refers 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 - answer-the 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 - answer-referred 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 - answer-represents 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 - answer-fluctuation 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 - answer-is 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 - answer-the 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 - answer-are 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: - answer-a) 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 - answer-across 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.
