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Software Tools for Direct Observation: Hands-On Learning of ObserverWare (Formerly BEST) for Practitioners and Researchers |
Friday, May 22, 2015 |
8:00 AM–11:00 AM |
202A (CC) |
Area: PRA/EDC; Domain: Service Delivery |
CE Instructor: Thomas L. Sharpe, Jr., Ed.D. |
THOMAS L. SHARPE, JR. (Educational Consulting, Inc.) |
Description: The workshop will provide hands on application of a user-friendly software package designed to collect and analyze discrete and time-based behavioral data for a wide range of evaluation and feedback applications in direct observation client settings. Workshop information is particularly useful to graduate students, behavioral psychologists, BCBA and BCaBA professionals, and experimental analysts--all interested in analyzing complex configurations of behaviors which are emitted at high rates, oftentimes overlap in time, and which are context dependent. Discussion includes an introduction to (a) recommended procedures when collecting time-based data in the live setting and from videotape records, and (b) computer generated behavior descriptions, graphic displays, statistical analyses and reliability comparisons of data files when engaged in data analysis, data-based feedback, and assessment of data integrity. Participants will be provided with all workshop presentation materials and a complimentary downloadable copy of the complete software package along with a .pdf file summary copy of a compatible research methods text published by Sage Publications as a function of workshop participation. ***It is recommended that workshop participants bring their own IBM compatible laptop hardware and/or an IPAD to facilitate hands-on workshop interactions. |
Learning Objectives: Workshop participants will exit with software-based data collection, analysis, and client feedback competencies, including the ability to (a) construct and apply systemic observation systems; (b) generate a time-based behavioral record using an inclusive overlapping category system; (c) construct graphic representations; (d) perform traditional and sequential analyses using multiple measurement methodologies; (d) edit graphic data representations and apply relevant visual and statistical analyses; (e) conduct reliability and treatment fidelity analyses, and (f) apply a variety of data record edit and merge functions when operating with complex multiple event category systems.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants should be able to: (1) discuss the principles and practice of discrete and sequential behavior analysis methods; (2) apply a range of computer-based data collection, data analysis, data-based feedback, and reliability procedures to their particular behavior analysis interests; (3) understand and apply a range of computer-based descriptive and statistical data analysis techniques in relation to discrete and sequential data sets; (4) construct a variety of behavior graphs and apply appropriate analysis techniques to the graph types covered, and in relation to direct treatment and applied research application examples |
Activities: Activities include (a) review of traditional behavior analysis recording methods; (b) introduction to, and hands on application of, a computer-based package designed to enhance behavior analyses of complex interactive settings; and (c) detailed hands-on demonstration of data collection features, discrete and sequential analysis capabilities, within and across data-file graphic representations, and a variety of reliability, treatment fidelity, and data manipulation and editing functions--all designed to facilitate applied activities in assessment, behavior planning, treatment, and ongoing observation of a variety of settings and environments. |
Audience: Graduate students, behavior analysts, BCBA, BCaBA, and related therapists working in a variety of applied and experimental settings who are interested in the interactive nature of behavior in situations where study of multiple behaviors and events, multiple participants, and changing setting variables are present. Those working in educational and social science settings and who are challenged with how to describe and analyze highly interactive behavioral transactions should find the workshop experience and complimentary software particularly appealing to a wide range of research and assessment applications. |
Content Area: Practice |
Instruction Level: Intermediate |