Ch 6 Constructing & Interpreting Graph Displays of Behavioral Data Flashcards
simple visual display used to show discrete, summarized data across different conditions, groups, or categories. often used to compare levels of behavior (like frequency, duration, or percentage) across different conditions rather than to show behavior over time.
bar graph
graphical display where each instance of behavior adds to the total count, creating a continuous upward or flat line.
cumulative record
instrument that plots cumulative responses over time, producing a graph where the slope represents the rate of behavior.
• A roll of paper moved under a pen at a constant speed.
• Each response caused the pen to jump up slightly.
• No responses = a flat line.
• More frequent responses = a steeper slope.
cumulative recorder
measured and recorded observations of behavior or environmental events.
data
line connecting successive data points on a graph within the same condition or phase
data path
target behavior that the behavior analyst is trying to increase, decrease, or change. It is what is measured to determine whether the intervention has an effect.
dependent variable
type of measurement scale used in graphing where the spacing between values on the y-axis (vertical axis) is uniform. That means each unit increase on the axis represents the same amount of change in behavior, allowing for accurate visual analysis of trends and magnitude.
graphing scale where equal distances on the axis represent equal amounts of behavior change.
type of graph where the distance between points on the vertical (y) axis represents the same value throughout the entire graph. This means the spacing between numbers on the y-axis is consistent, like a standard ruler or thermometer. These graphs are commonly used for line graphs, bar graphs, cumulative records, and scatterplots
equal-interval scale
visual format for displaying relationships among numbers or data points, often used to show patterns of behavior across time, conditions, or settings.
graph
environmental condition or treatment that is actively manipulated by the behavior analyst to determine its effect on behavior.
independent variable
average value or magnitude of a behavior within a specific condition (such as baseline or intervention) on a graph. It answers the question: “At what height is the behavior occurring?”; mean or median value of the data points within a phase or condition, reflecting the general amount of behavior observed.
level
visual representation of behavior data across time or sessions, where each point represents a measured value and lines connect data points within the same condition.
line graph
rate of behavior (e.g., responses per minute) calculated over a short, defined period of time within a session.
e.g.
In a 10-minute session:
• First 2 minutes: 10 responses → local rate = 5 responses/min
• Last 2 minutes: 2 responses → local rate = 1 response/min
→ This shows a change in responding within the session, which may be missed by looking at the overall average.
local response rate
total number of responses emitted during an observation period divided by the total time of that period.
overall response rate
measurement-based approach to teaching that focuses on fluency (accuracy + speed) and uses standard celeration charts to track progress and make decisions.
e.g.
Example:
• A student practices identifying sight words
• Their correct and incorrect responses per minute are recorded daily
• The data are graphed on a Standard Celeration Chart
• If growth slows, the teacher may change materials, pace, or prompts
precision teaching
measurement scale that has equal intervals between values and a true zero, allowing for multiplicative comparisons (e.g., twice as much, half as much).
e.g.
-frequency (0= no responses, 20 is twice 10)
-duration (0=no time spent)
-latency (0=no delay)
-rate (0=no responses in that time frame)
ratio scale
data display that shows the distribution of behavior across time intervals or conditions, used to identify when and where a behavior is most likely to occur.
purpose:
-Identify when a behavior is most likely to occur
-Reveal temporal patterns
-Guide hypothesis development for functional assessment
scatterplot
visual trend line placed on a graph by splitting the data into halves, finding the medians, and drawing a line through them to show the direction and rate of behavior change.
Steps to Draw It:
1. Split the data in a phase (e.g., baseline or intervention) into two equal halves
2. Find the median data point (Y-axis value) and median time point (X-axis value) for each half
3. Place a dot at each median intersection
4. Draw a straight line through the two median points
5. This line represents the trend in the data
split-middle line of progress
visual display where behavior frequency (rate) is plotted on a logarithmic vertical axis, and time (typically days or weeks) is plotted on a linear horizontal axis, used to track celeration—the change in rate over time.
Standard Celeration Chart
overall direction and rate of change in behavior data across a series of measurements; ascending, descending, stable (no trend)
trend
extent to which behavior data points differ from each other across measurement sessions; low= stable & predictable, high= inconsistent/erratic
variability
process of interpreting graphed behavioral data to assess changes in the dependent variable across different phases or conditions of an intervention
visual analysis
