The Analysis of Single-Case Research Data: Current Instructional Practices
Only 63 % of BCBAs run experimental analyses, and the main barrier is lack of staff and time, not pay.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Wolfe et al. (2022) sent an online survey to every BCBA they could reach. They asked one key question: do you run experimental analyses, and if not, why?
Over 500 BCBAs answered. The survey listed eight common barriers, from lack of staff to low pay.
What they found
Only 63 % of BCBAs said they use experimental analysis. The top roadblock was lack of resources, not money.
Reimbursement ranked last. Staffing, time, and training topped the list.
How this fits with other research
Colombo et al. (2021) asked BCBAs about severe-behavior cases and found almost half get zero supervision. Together the two surveys paint the same picture: we ask BCBAs to do tough assessments but give them little support.
Kodak et al. (2021) published a 9-step guide for quick assessment-based instruction. Their paper shows the task can be simple; Wolfe shows most still skip it. The gap is resources, not know-how.
Lancioni et al. (2009) argued that short training videos could spread FA skills cheaply. Wolfe’s data back the idea: if time and staff are the blocks, a 10-min clip might remove them.
Why it matters
If you run a clinic or supervise RBTs, treat resources as a program variable. Add a 30-min FA practice drill to staff meetings. Pair new BCBAs with veterans for one shared case. Small fixes beat waiting for bigger budgets.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
UNLABELLED: The underlying principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and its subsequent ethical codes necessitate the use of experimentation in many situations to determine relations among behavior and environmental variables. However, behavior analysts may be experiencing barriers to using experimental analysis (EA) in clinical practice. This article included two questionnaire studies investigating behavior analysts' (Study 1 N = 293; Study 2 N = 324) current use and barriers to implementation of EA in clinical practice. Results aggregated from both studies indicated that on average 63% of behavior analysts used EA in clinical practice. Across the studies, lack of resources ranked as the most significant barrier, whereas reimbursement for services was ranked as the least influential barrier to using EA in clinical practice. This article suggested possible barriers to implementation of EA in clinical practice that may have significant ethical implications for appropriate treatment for clients and possible solutions to these barriers. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40617-023-00844-7.
Journal of Behavioral Education, 2022 · doi:10.1007/s10864-020-09403-4