Page
1
of 2
Using the data from “LA: Graphing” conduct a systematic visual analysis. Include the
headings below to organize your visual analysis and to ensure that you include all
required components. Review your textbook for additional clarification and sample visual
analyses. There is also a video tutorial for this assignment.
1. Determine if the graphs are accurately constructed. Review each of the graphs for
equal and appropriate scaling of axes and to identify data series, conditions,
representation of time, and unit of analysis (e.g., participant, behavior, context).
Explain your findings. (2 points)
2. Examine research questions for the predicted pattern(s) of change in dependent
variables. You should identify the research question, make a hypothesis (i.e., Is the
behavior expected to increase or decrease when the intervention is implemented?),
and make a prediction for each graph using baseline logic. Explain your findings. (2
points)
3. Review the number of data points per condition. Evaluation data stability within
condition and determine if there is an adequate amount of data to establish a
predictable pattern in each condition for each participant. (2 points)
a. If yes, proceed to step 4. Explain your findings.
b. If no due to high variability in a baseline condition that is hypothesized to
stabilize with the introduction of the independent variable, proceed to Step 4.
Explain your findings.
c. If no because variability precludes identifying a predictable pattern of
behavior within more than one condition, or precludes evaluation of
behavior change across adjacent conditions, discontinue visual analysis, and
explain why experimental control cannot be established.
4. Analyze level, trend, and variability of data in each condition for each
participant. NOTE: You should be looking at each individual phase and should not
be comparing data across phases at this point. Determine if there are clear data
patterns within all conditions. Explain your findings. (5 points)
a. If yes, identify level and stability, trend direction and stability, and the
amount of variability for each condition and move to Step 5. Explain your
findings.
b. If no, discontinue visual analysis and explain why experimental control
cannot be established. Explain your findings.
5. Analyze level, trend, and variability/stability of data across adjacent conditions.
Determine if behavior change occurred across adjacent conditions. Using
information from step 4a, compare adjacent conditions for changes in magnitude of
levels and stability, changes in trend direction and stability, and changes in
variability or range of dependent measures across adjacent conditions. Explain your
findings. (5 points)
a. If yes, behavior change occurred across adjacent conditions, proceed to
Step 6. Explain your findings.
b. If no, discontinue visual analysis. Explain why experimental control
cannot be established.
6. Analyze the consistency of behavior change across conditions. Explain your
findings. (5 points)
a. If yes, decide is data changes are consistent with predicted patterns.
Explain your findings.
b. If yes, identify the magnitude of change across conditions. Explain your
findings.
c. If no, discontinue visual analysis and explain why experimental control
cannot be established.
7. Make a summative conclusion regarding experimental control and functional
relation to answer your research question. You should have a summative conclusion
for each participant. You must discuss basic effects and functional relationships for
each participant. (2 points)
8. Calculate the mean, median, and range across each condition for each
participant. Create ONE table, in APA format, to summarize the data . (3 points)
