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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Behavior Analysis Welcome Packet

How to Read Journal Articles

Behavior Analysis is characterized by two guiding principles: Defining Behavior (dependent variable, target behavior) and demonstrating a functional relationship between the experimental manipulation (treatment, procedure, independent variable) and the target behavior. You will be required to read a variety of articles, theoretical, summary, and experimental. It is necessary to review the articles paying close attention to the definition of behaviors, treatment procedures, design utilized, and conclusions. An Article Review Sheet has been developed to assist with this process. The following guidelines are suggested.

  1. Read the article first, do not study the article or take notes. Read the article and get the general points of the article. After reading the article you should be able to re-read the abstract with a clear understanding of the major points made in the abstract. Read the article a second time and take notes using the Article Review Sheet.
  2. Correctly Identify the Article Citation. Record information regarding the citation so that you can find the article again.
  3. Introduction. The introduction to the article provides the rationale as to why the article is being written. Justification for the article may be the prevalence of the problem, the need for further examination of the experimental procedures, need to demonstrate generalization to other settings, procedures, behaviors, etc., compare the efficacy of experimental procedures, etc. You should be able to restate the introduction into a one or two sentence summary. The introduction provides the justification or background as to the importance of the problem and proposed solutions.
  4. Dependent Variable. The Dependent Variable is the measure of the target behavior. Pay close attention to how the authors defined the behavior and how the behavior was measured. As mentioned above one of the hallmarks of applied behavior analysis is defining and measuring behavior in observable and measurable terms. It is important to note the different types of procedures utilized to measure the behavior.
  5. Subjects. Who were the subjects and the defining characteristics.
  6. Reliability. A valid measure of behavior requires that two (or more) observers are able to observe the behavior at the same time and agree upon the occurrence and non-occurrence of the behavior (inter-observer agreement). Reliability describes the procedures utilized to demonstrate inter-observer agreement and the accuracy of behavior recording. Different procedures and formulas are utilized to demonstrate reliability and you should take note.
  7. Design. Applied Behavior Analysis studies utilize single-case experimental designs. It is important to note the type of design used and the different conditions.
  8. Independent Variable. The Independent Variable refers to the treatment or experimental procedures utilized in the study. It is important to note the specific procedures utilized, paying particular attention to how and when they are implemented.
  9. Results. The results reflect the change in the dependent variable. It is necessary to identify the magnitude of change and comparison to the different conditions of the experimental design, i.e. baseline and conditions associated with the independent variable. Increases and decreases in the target behavior should be referenced. Do not say the behavior increased. Rather, say the behavior increased from 10 times per day during baseline to 45 times during intervention.
  10. Discussion. The Discussion section of the article provides the conclusion of the study, compares the results to other studies, identifies limitation of the study, and points the direction for future research.
  11. References. If there are points in the article that may not be clear to you, check the reference and read the article cited. It is important that you have a thorough understanding of the article.

Article Review

Author:
Date:
Article Title:
Journal Title:
Volume and Page numbers:
Purpose of Study (Why is this study important?):
Subjects (Demographics):
Dependent Variable: (Measure)
How was the behavior defined?
How was the behavior measured?
Reliability Procedures:
What type of experimental design was used?:
Independent Variable: (Procedures/Treatment, be specific)
Procedures: (What were the experimental procedures/conditions, be specific)
Results: What changes occurred by condition, be specific and reference changes)
Discussion: (Summary of what was found and future research)
How To Write A Research Paper - Guidelines

General Considerations

The field of Applied Behavior Analysis is devoted to the analysis and modification of behavior. Behavior is observable and measurable and when writing a research paper in behavior analysis it is necessary to focus on a topic that is behavioral and/or demonstrates the use of behavioral principles in modifying the behavior. Applied Behavior Analysis is concerned with what we do, not what we say or think or feel (so to speak)

In writing a research paper it is helpful to use the Article Review Sheets to help identify the important information from the articles.

Task at Hand

There are several purposes in writing research papers in the M.S. in Behavior Analysis program. The major purpose is for you to become the expert in the area that you are interested in. The course sequence is designed to provide you with a general overview of the principles of behavior analysis (CPSY 630, Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis), specific information regarding experimental designs (CPSY 641, Single Case Designs), in-depth analysis of how to define, observe, and record behavior (CPSY 634, Behavior Assessment), and review behavioral applications to a variety of problematic behaviors (CPSY 633 Behavior Therapy I, 634 Behavior Therapy II, 643 Social Bases, and CPSY 530 seminars). In addition, students are provided the opportunity to demonstrate their competence in implementing behavioral principles in applied settings (CPSY 597 Practicum and CPSY 696 Internship in Behavior Analysis. Each course builds upon the competencies of students and the research papers can be viewed as a precursor to the Thesis proposal. Thus, each course will ask students to critically evaluate a body of research, synthesize the literature, and formulate conclusions. To accomplish this task, students must be well versed in their field of interest.

What is a Behavioral Article?

Behavioral articles are articles that focus on changing behavior. Behavior Analysis is not concerned with internal states such as personality, motivation, attitudes, etc.

When writing a review of a behavioral article it is necessary to provide a detailed description of

  1. Purpose of the study
  2. Description of the Subjects
  3. Dependent Variable (Measure)-
    1. How was the behavior defined. - operational definition
    2. What measurement procedures were utilized.
  4. How Inter-observer Reliability assessed.
  5. Type of Experimental Design
  6. Independent Variable - Intervention
    1. What procedures were utilized
  7. Results obtained
    1. Baseline Levels
    2. Treatment Levels
  8. Maintenance and Generalization - follow up, how was this addressed
    1. Discussion
    2. Application of principles
    3. Limitations of research

Where Do I Find Behavioral Articles?

The following is a list of journals and resources that you may find helpful.

Journals and Resources (Not all inclusive)
American Journal on Mental Retardation
Behavior Modification
Behavior Therapy
Focus on Autism and other Developmental Disabilities
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Journal of Behavior Therapy
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
Journal of Clinical Psychology
Journal of Consulting Psychology
Journal of Rational, Emotive, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps
Mental Retardation
Remedial and Special Education
Progress in Behavior Modification

How do I do a Literature Search?

Go to http://lrts.stcloudstate.edu, access to the Learning Resources Center at St. Cloud State University. Select Library Resources and Services, click on Find an Article. Use the pull down menu and you can access PsychInfo, Medline, and AskEric. Also you can view ERIC documents by going to EDRSE*Subscribe*. You can also use direct links for the following

  1. Psychcrawler: http://www.psychcrawler.com
  2. AskEric : http://ericir.syr.edu/Eric/
  3. AJMD and Mental Retardation: http://aamr.allenpress.com/aamronline/?request=search-simple
  4. TASH (JASH): http://www.tash.org/publications/jash/index.htm

What Resources are there for Writing?

General resources for writing a paper can be found by going to:

  1. Learning Resources Services: http://lrs.stcloudstate.edu/
  2. Organizing a paper and style
  3. The Write Place: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/
  4. APA style: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/

What type of writing Style is used?

Papers should be written using APA style (see suggested books and/or visit http://www.apa.org.)

General suggestions include:

  1. Describe each research study following the format of the Article Review Sheet. Report in details the information for each area of the Article Review Sheet.
  2. Provide data. Which of the following examples describes the results of the study
    1. Example 1. The behavior increased after treatment.
    2. Example 2. The behavior increased from 20% during intervals recorded during baseline to an average of 88% of intervals when the DRA procedure was implemented. In addition, the increase in behavior maintained at an average rate of 76% during a three week follow-up condition.
  3. Avoid editorial comments, i.e., I thought this was the best article, in an outstanding study done by…., there was a tremendous increase, etc.
  4. Citing Studies… there is a correct format for article citation in text and in the reference section. See http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/, click on help with citations.
  5. When citing studies it is not necessary to write "In a study by Rudrud, done in 1979…" Rather, "Rudrud (1979)….". Or, "the authors of the study found the DRO procedure to be effective". Rather, "The DRO procedure was effective." It is not necessary to preface every statement with a reference to the authors, usually once is enough. See examples in the research papers you read.
  6. Avoid first and second person…i.e., he, she, it, I, etc.
  7. Organize your paper and use Headings. If you read 10 articles you need to organize the articles to justify your conclusions. I do not know what your conclusions are, that is why you are reading the articles. My job is to read what you wrote and see if your conclusions are justified. Your job is to describe each study in a thorough manner, organize your paper in a manner that justifies your conclusions.
  8. Writing process - suggestions
    1. Read, read, read, read
    2. Complete Article Review Sheets on each article
    3. Think, think, think
    4. What are your conclusions? How will you justify them?
    5. Organize by topic/justification.
    6. Use Headings
      1. Introduction - why is this important?
      2. Organization by Topic - why are these articles important, what points are to be made, what data exists to support findings
      3. Description of articles and findings per topic. What data exists?
      4. Discussion/Conclusion - you are to become the 5 minute expert, what would you tell people if you only had 5 minutes to summarize your paper? Summary of previous research, findings, and areas of future research.
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