Evaluation of Computer-Based Training to Teach Adults Visual Analysis Skills of Baseline-Treatment Graphs
A short computer lesson can turn graph novices into accurate visual analysts whose skills last at least a month.
01Research in Context
What this study did
O’Grady et al. (2018) built a short computer lesson for adults who had never read A-B graphs.
The module showed written rules, gave live practice, and told you right away if you picked “improvement” or “no change” correctly.
Four newbies took the course; the team later showed them fresh graphs on paper to see if the skill stuck.
What they found
Every learner reached near-perfect accuracy on the computer after only a few lessons.
One month later they still judged new graphs correctly, even when the data were hand-drawn instead of on screen.
How this fits with other research
Kahng et al. (2010) showed that experts already agree when they eye-ball graphs; O’Grady proves novices can reach the same accuracy with a quick digital course.
Bosch et al. (2026) tried a classroom version and saw no gain, hinting that the computer’s instant feedback, not just the rules, may be the key piece.
Kranak et al. (2022) reviewed every recent graph-teaching study and list O’Grady’s module as one of the few that kept the skill for a full month.
Why it matters
You no longer need an in-person lecture to train aides or parents on visual analysis.
Email them the O’Grady module, have them send the completion certificate, then spot-check their decisions on your next treatment graph.
It saves staff time and keeps everyone’s eyes calibrated to the same standard.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The primary method of data analysis in applied behavior analysis is visual analysis. However, few investigations to date have taught the skills necessary for accurate visual analysis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate computer-based training on the visual analysis skills of adults with no prior experience. Visual analysis was taught with interactive computer-based training that included written instructions and opportunities for practice with textual feedback. Generalization of participant skills from simulated to handwritten and authentic data graphs was programmed for and assessed during the study. A multiple-baseline design was used across visual analysis properties (i.e., variability, level, and trend), with continuous overall intervention effect generalization probes, replicated across 4 participants to evaluate computer-based training for accurate visual analysis of A-B graphs. The results showed that all participants accurately visually analyzed A-B graphs following the computer-based training for variability, level, trend, and overall intervention effect. These visual analysis skills generalized to handwritten and authentic data graphs and maintained approximately 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month following mastery of each property for all participants. Implications of the results suggest that computer-based training improved accurate visual analysis skills for adults with no prior experience.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2018 · doi:10.1007/s40617-018-0266-4