Behavior and Sequential Analyses: Principles and Practice

"Sharpe and Koperwas provide a methodological framework that objectifies the complexity of behavior. This book′s quantitative and multiple-event approach to data collection and analysis is essential for effective descriptions and explanations of the behavior of humans and nonhumans. Of particular note is the multidisciplinary applicability of the methodology and that the methods can be used by basic, applied, and clinical researchers. Human service providers are being increasingly pressured to take objective measures; practitioners should find much in this book to help them satisfactorily meet these demands. The authors′ sensitivity to clarity of presentation makes the book an excellent primary or supplementary text for any course in behavior methodology." -- Dennis J. Delprato, Eastern Michigan University  "I think the author did a very thoughtful, informed analysis and presentation of his view of research methodology." -Richard W. Malott, Western Michigan University   "This text dispels the myth that the principles and practices of behavioral research are context-free. It describes how they are integral to a modern science of behavior. This is not only a "how to" text, but an historical "where from" and a modern "what for" treatment of behavioral methodology and research design."  -Edward K. Morris, University of Kansas   Modern computer-based data collection and analysis techniques have given researchers unprecedented ability to collect, analyze, and visually represent complex, multi-event configurations of behavior interaction, yet most applied behavior analysis textbooks have failed to embrace the many significant technological advances. Behavior and Sequential Analyses: Principles and Practice provides a step-by-step approach to such computer-facilitated behavior analysis research and evaluation procedures. Tom Sharpe and John Koperwas emphasize methods designed to collect and analyze both the multiple characteristics of behaviors and events of interest and the time-based or sequential characteristics of behavior and event relationships. Intended for an interdisciplinary audience, this is the only text to guide readers through development and implementation of technologically supported multiple-event, multiple measure, discrete and sequential analysis of behavior. Designed for highly interactive applied settings, this user-friendly volume includes Procedures for observation system construction Data recording methods and research design types Visual and statistical data analysis procedures Recommended research, evaluation, and instructional applications for psychology, education, and other social science settings Suggestions for reliability and treatment fidelity issues References to technological innovations including the BEST and BESTPCC data collection and analysis software package Behavior and Sequential Analyses presents a comprehensive summary of applied behavior analysis methods and introduces numerous up-to-date systems and sequential methodologies. To facilitate student learning, the authors include lists of key terms, study guide questions, practical illustrations, and important references. Developed as an introductory to intermediate level methodology text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in social and behavioral sciences and education, Behavior and Sequential Analyses is also a unique and indispensable reference for the experienced researcher.

Table of Contents:
ABOUT THE AUTHORS DEDICATION FOREWORD BY TOM SHARPE PART I: BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS: HISTORY AND INTRODUCTION CHAPTER ONE: History and Evolution Terms and Study Guide A Brief History of Behavior Analysis Science as a Direct Observation, Descriptive Enterprise Toward a Multiple Research Method Compatibility Theory Some Myths About Behavior Analysis Debunked Overview of Behavior Analysis Principles and Practice Overview Overview Overview Overview Overview CHAPTER TWO: A Behavior and Sequential Analyses Primer Terms and Study Guide Some Introductory Terms Behavior Analysis Unpacked Foundations of Field Systems and Sequential Analyses Behavior Alayisis as a Descriptive/Explanatory Enterprise How Behavior Analysis Conceptualized Mental Events An Endnote on "Feelings" and Metaphysical Explanations An Endnote on "Feelings" and Metaphysical Explanations An Endnote on "Feelings" and Metaphysical Explanations CHAPTER THREE: An Interbehavioral Multi-Event Perspective Terms and Study Guide From Science to Technology Differences in Assessment: Modeling an Interbehavioral Lens Differences in Assessment: Modeling an Interbehavioral Lens Differences in Assessment: Modeling an Interbehavioral Lens Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences Multi-Event Theory in the Applied Sciences The Implications of Computer Technology Some Assumptions and Limitations A Preface to Behavior Analysis Methodology PART II: CONSTRUCTING OBSERVATIONAL SYSTEMS CHAPTER FOUR: Constructing a Coding Scheme Terms and Study Guide A Preface to Category System Construction Defining Purposes Determining Observation System Characteristics Recording Physical Versus Social Coding Schemes How to Construct Operational Definitions CHAPTER FIVE: Inderdisciplinary Examples and Illustrations Terms and Study Guide A General Framework for Developing a Coding Scheme Examples From Teacher Education Examples From School Psychology Examples From Special Education An Illustration From Clinical Psychology A Systems Code From Ethology CHAPTER SIX: Reliability and Staff Training Terms and Study Guide The Purposes of Assessment The Issue of Data Accuracy A Recommended Three-Step Reliability Process Treatment Fidelity Reliability Formula Summaries Summary and Foreground for Part III PART III: RECORDING TACTICS, DESIGN TYPES, AND DATA ANALYSIS CHAPTER SEVEN: Approaches to Recording Direct Observational Data Terms and Study Guide Measurement Options Traditional Recording Methods Recording in Real Time CHAPTER EIGHT: Constructing an Appropriate Research Design Terms and Study Guide Validity Issues The Simplest Case: An ABAB Design The Multiple Baseline Design Additional Design Options Design Choice Summary CHAPTER NINE: Analyzing Observational Data Terms and Study Guide Preparing a Graph Visual Inspection The Challenge of Statistical Analyses Some Recommendations Regarding Statistical Analyses Sequential Analyses An Endnote on Sequential Data PART IV: APPLICATION ILLUSTRATIONS AND A WINDOW TO THE FUTURE CHAPTER TEN: Measurably Superior Instruction and Therapy Terms and Study Guide A Return to the Counting of Things? Research and Development Opportunities Instruction and Evaluation Laboratory Applications APPENDIX A: SEQUENTIAL ANALYSIS FORMULAE APPENDIX B: BEHAVIOR EVALUATION STRATEGY AND TAXONOMY (BEST) SOFTWARE REFERENCES

About the Author :
Tom Sharpe teaches at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He draws from varied experiences and settings: teaching at public and private schools, coaching, and education and social science work at Research Institutions. Trained at a leading behavior analysis program (West Virginia University), he has pursued academic work in observational methods as applied to education and the social sciences and in related computer-based tool development. He has authored over 75 refereed articles and book chapters and additionally contributes to the principles and practice of applied behavior analysis through conference and workshop presentations and consulting activities. John Koperwas has been a practicing software developer for the past decade. After developing a variety of real-time software and hardware systems, John went into research and development partnership with Tom Sharpe and founded Educational Consulting, Inc. He serves clients worldwide ranging from teacher education programs to medical rehabilitation clinics to public school districts and special education and activity-based outreach centers all interested in the continuing development and use of the computer tools and related information offered through Educational Consulting, Inc.

Review :
"Sharpe and Koperwas provide a methodological framework that objectifies the complexity of behavior. This book’s quantitative and multiple-event approach to data collection and analysis is essential for effective descriptions and explanations of the behavior of humans and nonhumans. Of particular note is the multidisciplinary applicability of the methodology and that the methods can be used by basic, applied, and clinical researchers. Human service providers are being increasingly pressured to take objective measures; practitioners should find much in this book to help them satisfactorily meet these demands. The authors’ sensitivity to clarity of presentation makes the book an excellent primary or supplementary text for any course in behavior methodology." "I think the author did a very thoughtful, informed analysis and presentation of his view of research methodology."