A replication of the response‐restriction preference assessment

Boyle et al. (2019) ran the response-restriction preference assessment again to see if it still works.

They tested kids with autism and compared three formats: free-operant, MSWO, and response-restriction.

The goal was to see which format gives a full ranking of liked items every time.

Only MSWO and response-restriction gave complete hierarchies in 4 out of 18 tries.

Free-operant rarely gave a full list.

Staff and parents also rated the formats differently, so no one format won the popularity vote.

Embregts (2000) showed reinforcer surveys are only 57 % accurate, so asking alone is risky.

Sipila-Thomas et al. (2024) later proved email feedback helps teachers run MSWO correctly, making MSWO easier to use in schools.

Together the three studies say: skip surveys, pick MSWO or response-restriction, and give teachers quick feedback to keep fidelity high.

You now know free-operant is weak at ranking items, so drop it when you need a clear hierarchy.

Choose MSWO or response-restriction, then train staff with brief feedback like Sipila-Thomas did.

This combo saves session time and gives you reliable reinforcer lists for teaching new skills.