Association for Behavior Analysis International

Qualitative research is often undertaken to understand and improve practices within a particular discipline. Qualitative researchers are interested in understanding how people perceive or interpret their lived experiences rather than working to find and prove a hypothesis or discover a cause and effect. For example, understanding others’ theoretical ways of seeing the application of behavior principles to challenging behavior is a possible objective for the coding and thematic analysis that is typical of qualitative research. This symposium will address the process of qualitative research including the use of coding, memos, nodes, and themes. The presenters will address the research process of coding, categorization of codes and subsequent generation of themes. Qualitative research requires additional methods of triangulation of data (e.g., member checking, auditor, critical friend) and these methods will also be discussed , as will the iterative nature of the analysis of data in qualitative research.

This symposium is appropriate for researchers and practitioners who are interested in the perspectives of consumers of ABA services. The presenters will provide information about qualitative research and the insights that the iterative nature of qualitative data analysis provides when investigating the perspectives of consumers served by ABA researchers and practitioners.

As the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) grows and transforms, so too are the methods of inquiry utilized to inform practices. Single case design methodology remains the predominant method of inquiry. However, qualitative methods have increased in prevalence, often as a measure of social validity and feasibility of practices. In this presentation, we provide the findings of a systematic literature review on the use of qualitiative methods in behavior analytic research. Specifically, we will discuss the prevalence of qualitative methodology in behavior analytic content. We will also discuss the most common qualitative methods used and for which purposes they serve. Finally, we will provide information on limitations and considerations for the future.

For this qualitative research nine caregivers were interviewed and recorded. Recordings were transcribed. Transcriptions were systematically coded and analyzed for the lived experiences of caregivers around mealtimes/feeding and difficult behavior. Three qualitative researchers coded each interview separately and a list of codes, nodes and themes was generated and shared following each meeting. Additional codes and nodes were generated as the interview coding proceeded and each code was accepted as long as 2/3 of the researchers agreed to its inclusion. Codes will be condensed into themes and a minimum of three main themes will be generated through the reiterative process of qualitative data analysis; these themes will be discussed in detail. The contribution of the understanding achieved (i.e., of parents’ perceptions of interventions around feeding and mealtimes) qualitative analysis and results will be discussed, as well as the process of qualitative research itself. Member checking and an audit is planned upon completion of coding and thematic analysis (data analysis is ongoing at the time of this submission).