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Lesson 1: Intro to Single Case Research

Lesson 1 Introduction

 

Key Terms

A first step in becoming a behavior analyst is to learn the language of behavior analysis. Much like learning German, French, or Spanish, there are no shortcuts to learning this new language. We find that good old-fashioned distributed practice leads to fluency at identifying these terms. Lack of fluency with behavior terminology will make it extremely difficult to complete the course sequence and subsequent certification exam successfully. With that in mind, we have created a set of Key Terms to help you become fluent in ABA.

Hovering over a term displays the definition. Selecting it takes you to the Glossary page with all terms for the course.

Table 1.1 Key Terms
   Determinism   Empiricism   Parsimony

 

To be successful in this lesson, do the following:

  • Read the following articles. If not linked on this page, the articles can be found by selecting Library Resources in the Course Navigation Menu: 
    • ​Keller, J. J. (1991). The recycling solution: How I increased recycling on Dilworth Road. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24(4), 617–619. doi:10.1901/jaba.1991.24-617
    • Mace, C. F. (1994). Basic Research Needed for Stimulating the Development of Behavioral Technologies. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 61, 529-550.

    • Normand, M. P. (2008). Science, skepticism, and applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1(2), 42-49.

    • Schlosser, R. W., Hemsley, B., Shane, H., Todd, J., Lang, R., Lilienfeld, S. O., … Odom, S. (2019). Rapid prompting method and autism spectrum disorder: Systematic review exposes lack of evidence. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
  • ​View/download the Lesson 1 PowerPoint. 
  • Read all content in this lesson.
  • Watch all video lecture segments, and other examples.
  • Complete all associated activities.
  • Complete and submit Assignment 1.

Lesson Objectives

After completing this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

  • Describe why research is needed in social sciences.
  • Identify elements associated with interventions not supported by science.
  • Describe basic, translational, and applied research.
  • Define determinism, empiricism, and parsimony

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