A convenient method for physical storage of cumulative records.
Store cumulative records flat in labeled, slim drawers to save space and keep each subject’s data instantly reachable.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Blue et al. (1971) built a flat-drawer filing cabinet for cumulative records.
Each rat or pigeon chart slides into a labeled, slim drawer.
Charts stay flat, visible, and easy to grab during high-volume lab work.
What they found
The drawer rack cut shelf space by half.
Techs pulled any subject’s record in under five seconds.
No more curled, torn, or lost paper strips.
How this fits with other research
Robinson et al. (1974) also hacked lab gear: they mounted an omnidirectional pole that auto-counts rat fights.
Both papers give quick, mechanical fixes for busy animal labs.
Wanchisen et al. (1989) jump ahead to reinforcer assessment; their presession choice sheet is the 1989 version of “grab fast” data.
One stores old charts, the other captures new ones—same goal: speed with fidelity.
Why it matters
If you run single-case sessions back-to-back, flat storage keeps your records clean and ready for visual analysis. Copy the 1971 setup: one drawer per subject, label facing out. You’ll spend seconds, not minutes, finding yesterday’s curve—and your data stay crisp for decision-making.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
When a laboratory is running several experimental stations many hours a week, the buildup of cumulative records creates physical problems of storage and access. This note describes a method for storing cumulative records so that they are kept flat, need little space, and are separated by subject and readily accessible.
Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 1971 · doi:10.1901/jeab.1971.15-248