Validating a Computerized Program for Supporting Visual Analysis During Functional Analysis: The Problem Behavior Multilevel Interpreter (PB.MI)
PB.MI is a free, live FA assistant that graphs and interprets data so you can decide sooner.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Zheng and team built a free web tool called PB.MI.
It graphs functional analysis data live and tells you what it sees.
They tested it with real FA sessions to check if the tool’s read matched expert eyes.
What they found
PB.MI drew clean graphs and gave plain-English alerts like “attention condition shows clear control.”
Experts agreed with the tool’s calls almost every time.
The program is ready for BCBAs to use at no cost.
How this fits with other research
Manolov (2026) widens the toolbox. Where PB.MI handles only FA graphs, the new tutorial lists free sites for any single-case design.
Lanovaz et al. (2017) still matters. Their dual-criteria rule guards against false alarms when you eyeball data. PB.MI does not replace that step; it just speeds it up.
Cihon et al. (2021) taught staff to build graphs by hand. PB.MI skips the hand-building and jumps straight to interpretation.
Why it matters
You can open PB.MI on a tablet during an FA session. Watch the graph grow and read the tool’s notes before the session ends. If the tool flags clear control, you can stop early and move to treatment. Less time in assessment means faster help for the client.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Open PB.MI on your next FA session and let it graph in real time—pause after three cycles to see if the tool’s alert matches your visual call.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
Computerized programs have been specifically developed in the field of applied behavior analysis for the purpose of automating data collection. Although they can potentially improve practicality of data collection for applied researchers and clinicians, program features of existing computerized programs do not include graphs and data interpretation generated in real time. We developed the Problem Behavior Multilevel Interpreter (PB.MI), which is designed to (a) allow for ongoing visual analysis of data displayed in real time and (b) support visual analysis with a computerized interpretation of functional control. The program was intended to be used during the functional analysis of problem behavior, specifically the single-session, interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis. In this article, we describe the program’s functioning abilities and how we validated those abilities. In addition, we discuss the PB.MI program’s practical utility. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40617-021-00656-7.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2022 · doi:10.1007/s40617-021-00656-7