Association for Behavior Analysis International

Data collection is a cornerstone in the field of behavior analysis, and this is especially true in the applied and clinical settings (Wolf, 1978). Behavior analysts must choose between numerous data collection and note taking methods in order to find one that works best for their purposes and practice (Taubman et al., 2013; Wiarda et al., 2014). The current literature suggests that a clinician’s notes may directly impact the therapeutic process (Taubman et al., 2013), and new efforts in this area have begun exploring how note taking and data collection tools function for the clinician’s behaviors when working with clients (Warren, 2023). This panel discussion, led by behavior analysts with expertise in applied and clinical settings, will explore the ways in which clinicians use note taking and data collection in their work. Topics will center around how a clinician’s note taking and data collection processes orient them to client behavior, clinician choices, and moment-to-moment processes of treatment. We will also discuss the pitfalls, contingencies, and harsh realities of what it means to rely on data collection and progress notes to maintain a successful practice.

Some applied experience with clinical or applied behavior analysis