Quantifying Function with the Functional Analysis Celeration Chart
Redrawing FA data on the Functional Analysis Celeration Chart doubles the visible effect size, making weak functions easier to spot.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The authors took old FA graphs and redrew them on a Functional Analysis Celeration Chart.
They kept the same numbers but used the chart's equal-ratio axes.
No new data were collected; they simply replotted what already existed.
What they found
Every function they tested looked at least twice as big on the FACC.
The chart's wide y-axis stretched the data paths upward.
This made differences between conditions pop out more clearly.
How this fits with other research
Dowdy et al. (2024) warn that stretching the x-to-y axis ratio can fool the eye.
They found low agreement among BCBAs when graphs were redrawn.
Kubina's team sees the same stretch as a feature, not a bug, because it magnifies weak effects.
Wolfe et al. (2018) show that tools like the CDC method help objectify visual calls.
The FACC offers a similar aid: a built-in multiplier that flags function without extra math.
Why it matters
If your visual analysis feels iffy, replot the data on a FACC.
The built-in level boost can reveal small but real functions you might have missed.
Try it next time an FA looks flat; the chart may show the true picture.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The present brief practice examined 6 randomly selected studies from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis that included functional analysis data replotted on the functional analysis celeration chart (FACC). The FACC showcases the practicality of a standard celeration chart– derived visual display. The research question asked, what level values occurred related to the original authors’ determination of function? Results indicated all functions had a ×2 level multiplier or higher when placed on the FACC.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2021 · doi:10.1007/s40617-020-00426-x