This comparison draws in part from “DisruptABA: Bridging the Research-Practice Gap: Empowering ABA Practitioners to Drive Research and Innovation” by Sarah Mead Jasperse, PhD, BCBA-D (BehaviorLive), and extends it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. The decision framework, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →One of the most consequential decisions a behavior analyst makes is not just what intervention to use, but how to approach the clinical question in the first place. For disruptaba: bridging the research-practice gap: empowering aba practitioners to drive research and innovation, the difference between an evidence-based, individualized approach and a traditional, protocol-driven one can significantly impact outcomes.
This guide lays out the key factors side by side to support your clinical decision-making.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship to Research | Clinician-Only: Consumes published research to inform clinical decisions; does not contribute to the research literature | Scientist-Practitioner: Both consumes and produces research; views clinical practice as a source of research questions and evidence |
| Approach to Clinical Questions | Clinician-Only: Seeks answers in existing literature and established protocols; may rely on trial-and-error when answers are not available | Scientist-Practitioner: Formulates testable hypotheses, designs systematic evaluations, and uses rigorous methods to answer novel clinical questions |
| Data Use | Clinician-Only: Collects data for clinical decision-making; data analysis focused on individual client outcomes | Scientist-Practitioner: Collects data with both clinical and potential research purposes; applies more rigorous analysis methods and considers generalizability |
| Contribution to the Field | Clinician-Only: Contributes to client outcomes but does not directly expand the field's evidence base | Scientist-Practitioner: Contributes to both client outcomes and the field's knowledge through research dissemination |
| Professional Development Focus | Clinician-Only: Focuses on developing clinical skills and staying current with published literature | Scientist-Practitioner: Develops both clinical and research skills, including methodology, data analysis, and scholarly communication |
| Innovation Potential | Clinician-Only: May develop clinical innovations but without systematic evaluation or dissemination | Scientist-Practitioner: Systematically evaluates clinical innovations and shares findings, contributing to evidence-based practice |
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.
Use this framework when approaching disruptaba: bridging the research-practice gap: empowering aba practitioners to drive research and innovation in your practice:
Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?
YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor
A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.
YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first
Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.
YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making
This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.
DisruptABA: Bridging the Research-Practice Gap: Empowering ABA Practitioners to Drive Research and Innovation — Sarah Mead Jasperse · 2 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20
Take This Course →We extended this decision guide with research from our library — dig into the peer-reviewed studies behind each approach, in plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
2 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20 · BehaviorLive
Research-backed educational guide
Research-backed answers for behavior analysts
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.