503 Experimental Evaluation, Intervention, and Behavior Change Considerations - EDC-X756Y

Course Description

Credit Validation for Optimus Education Participants Only

This course covers the following certifications: QBA and IBA.

• QBA603 – The third course of six, 45-hour classes required for certification by the QABA®
• IBA703 – The third course of six, 45-hour classes required for certification by the IBAO®

In this course, students learn to select appropriate experimental designs for intervention evaluation, choose relevant measurement methods, display and analyze data, and determine intervention effectiveness. They will compare single-subject designs with group research approaches and identify the best evaluation methods based on behavior, setting, and intervention type. The course applies behavior analysis principles, including the Keller Method, online activities, frequent assessments, and feedback through “probes.”

Key Topic Areas:

• Data Collection & Measurement – Define operational definitions, reliability, validity, and measurable behavior; identify onset and offset of behaviors for accurate measurement
• Measurement Procedures – Explain frequency/event recording, duration, time sampling, interval recording, latency, and planned activity checks, along with their benefits and limitations
• Data Analysis & Graphing – Select and analyze different graph types (line, bar, cumulative, scatterplots, single-subject designs); assess trends, stability, and variability in data
• Inter-Observer Agreement (IOA) & Reliability – Define inter-rater reliability, threats to reliability, and IOA design types (e.g., trial-by-trial, total count); calculate IOA using different data sets
• Ensuring Accuracy in Data Analysis – Identify treatment drift, observer bias, and threats to reliability while maintaining consistency in experimental evaluation

Learner Outcomes

• Select appropriate experimental designs for evaluating interventions and determining their effectiveness
• Apply relevant measurement methods to collect, display, and analyze data for intervention assessment
• Explain the logic and benefits of single-subject designs compared to group research design approaches
• Determine the most suitable experimental evaluation method based on behavior, setting, and intervention type
• Analyze data trends, levels, stability, and variability to inform decision-making in behavior analysis

Course Details

Number of Units: 3.5 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for Optimus Education Participants.

To enroll in this course please ensure you have registered with Optimus Education: https://optimus.tovuti.io/courses-page/course/qba603-experimental-evaluation-intervention-a-behavior-change-considerations

Course Materials:

• Text, Applied Behavior Analysis by John Cooper, Timothy Heron, William Heward available at Amazon.com or your local bookstore
• Text, Behavior Analysis for Lasting Change 4/E by G. Roy Mayer, Beth Sulzer-Azaroff, Michele Wallace available at Amazon.com or your local bookstore

Directions to Enrolled Participants for University Credit: Register for credit only after completing your coursework. Notify your program that you have registered for credit and confirm that they can release your final grade to our program. Once enrolled for credit and your course is complete, please email your Certificate of Completion to pce-cv@sandiego.edu.