Effects of Feedback Timing on Accuracy of Functional Analysis Implementation

Guinness et al. (2024) taught adults to run trial-based functional analyses.

They used an alternating-treatments design. One condition gave feedback right after each run. The other gave feedback right before the next run.

All learners were neurotypical staff with no prior FA experience.

Feedback delivered before the next run led to faster mastery.

Staff liked the before-next-run schedule best. They said it felt more helpful.

Aljadeff-Abergel et al. (2017) asked the same question with college students teaching play skills. They also found feedback before the next session worked better. The new study repeats the win in FA training, so the rule looks solid across tasks.

Sorrell et al. (2025) added virtual video modeling to FA training and still used feedback. Their package worked, showing you can stack video tools on top of good timing.

Lerman et al. (1995) showed delayed feedback still helped staff teach gestures. That seems opposite, but the task was simpler and feedback was weekly, not minutes away. Timing matters less when the gap is long and the skill is small.

You can cut staff training time by giving corrections right before the next FA session. Praise can still come after, but save the big fixes for the pre-run huddle. Try it Monday: run a five-minute TBFA, give quick notes, then run the next one. Your RBTs will hit mastery faster and feel more confident.