Creating Multiple-Baseline Graphs With Phase Change Lines in Microsoft Excel for Windows and macOS
You can build publication-ready multiple-baseline graphs in Excel tonight by copying the clicks in Watts et al.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Watts et al. (2021) wrote a picture-heavy tutorial.
It shows every click needed to build a multiple-baseline graph in Excel 2016.
The steps work on Windows or Mac and add automatic phase-change lines.
What they found
No new data were collected.
The paper gives ready-to-copy Excel files and color screenshots.
Users end up with graphs that meet journal style rules.
How this fits with other research
Cihon et al. (2021) did the same idea but for SigmaPlot.
They also ran a tiny experiment and showed BCBAs learned the skill in 15 minutes.
Howard et al. (2019) looked at what numbers best match the eyeball test on those same kinds of graphs.
They found IRD and BC-SMD line up closest with expert visual calls.
So Watts helps you draw the picture, Katie tells you which stats to trust after it’s drawn.
Why it matters
You no longer need pricey software to publish.
Open the tutorial on one screen, your Excel sheet on the other, and finish the graph during a coffee break.
Pair the finished graph with the stats Katie et al. recommend and your single-case report is journal-ready without costly programs.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Although Excel 2016 may be the most common graphing software, it is often confusing to use effectively. In the field of applied behavior analysis, graphs are crucial for analyzing data and sharing results. Multiple-baseline design graphs are one of the most popular graphs used by behavior analysts, but they often fall short of meeting established quality standards. This tutorial extends prior tutorials to provide detailed instructions on how to create a multiple-baseline design graph that not only meets quality standards but also includes phase change lines built into the graph and an acceptable x/y-axis ratio. This tutorial is applicable for both Windows and macOS platforms.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2021 · doi:10.1007/s40617-021-00552-0