Threats to Internal Validity

The following are common threats to internal validity.  If you would like a recap over internal vs. external validity, visit this link. 

Resources:  Cooper J.O, Heron T.E, Heward W.L. Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson; 2007.

Experimental Control

First of all, what is experimental control?

Experimental control is when the independent variable is what causes the change in the dependent variable and not any other confounding variables.  It is achieved when a predictable change in behavior can be reliably produced by manipulating the independent variable and measuring the effects on the dependent variable.

Remind me... What is the independent and dependent variable again?

Dependent variable:  Looking for effects on the dependent variable that might be caused by the change in the independent variable

Independent variable:  Variable that the experiment manipulates.  THIS IS WHAT YOU CHANGE!

So, why is experimental control so important?

Experimental control is a necessary component of ABA because it is the highest level of scientific understanding.  

Resources:  Cooper J.O, Heron T.E, Heward W.L. Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson; 2007.

Basic vs. Applied Research

Basic vs. Applied Research

Basic: does not focus on real-world application, and instead it just tries to describe the fundamentals of behavior.

Applied: focuses on application in the real world, but it still is based upon previous theory and assumptions that are made. 

Try it.

In the field of ABA, are we more concerned with applied or basic research?

Applied.

Resources:  Cooper J.O, Heron T.E, Heward W.L. Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson; 2007.