Question 1

The steady state strategy involves measuring responding for each participant repeatedly under both baseline and experimental/treatment conditions, with the objective of obtaining a stable pattern of responding that represents _________.
A) what would happen if another variable was introduced
B) the full effects of each condition
C) how often data were collected
D) the highest data points in the set

Accepted Answer

The steady state strategy is used to obtain a stable pattern of responding that represents the full effects of each condition, allowing for accurate interpretation of the data and comparison of the baseline and experimental/treatment conditions. It does not aim to predict what would happen if another variable was introduced, measure data collection frequency, or identify the highest data points.

Question 2

If you repeatedly exposed each subject to a condition in an effort to control or eliminate extraneous influences and allow the condition to fully represent its effects on behavior, you would be using:
A) a between-groups design
B) an interval agreement procedure
C) discontinuous observation
D) the steady-state strategy

Accepted Answer

The steady-state strategy involves repeatedly exposing each subject to a condition in an effort to control or eliminate extraneous influences and allow the condition to fully represent its effects on behavior. The other choices are not relevant to this type of experimental design.

Question 3

By giving a participant repeated exposure first to the baseline condition and then to the intervention condition, the researcher is trying to get a graphical picture of responding under each condition that is ______ and ______.
A) valid; believable
B) reliable; accurate
C) complete; representative
D) calibrated; absolute

Accepted Answer

The researcher aims to obtain data that is complete, capturing all necessary information, and representative, accurately reflecting the participant's behavior under each condition.

Question 4

If data show that responding is unstable under either the baseline condition or the treatment condition, the investigator should assume that these variations must be due to:
A) the independent variable
B) extraneous variables
C) the dependent variable
D) sequence effects

Accepted Answer

Unstable responding could be due to extraneous variables that are not controlled for in the experiment. It is important to identify and control for these variables to ensure that any observed effects are due to the independent variable and not confounding factors.

Question 5

A steady state of responding suggests that extraneous influences are minimal and:
A) that any transition from the initial effects of the condition are complete
B) that the data are accurate, reliable, and valid
C) that the dependent variable is responsible for any differences between conditions
D) that the treatment phase is effective

Accepted Answer

A steady state of responding indicates that the initial effects of the condition have stabilized, meaning any transitions or adjustments to the new condition are complete. This does not necessarily imply data accuracy (B), causality (C), or treatment effectiveness (D).

Question 6

A pattern of responding that shows relatively little variation in its measured dimensional quantities over some period of time is known as a ______.
A) trend
B) transition state
C) steady state
D) transitory state

Accepted Answer

A pattern of responding that shows relatively little variation in its measured dimensional quantities over some period of time is known as a steady state. Choice A, trend, refers to a general direction in which something is developing or changing. Choice B, transition state, refers to a period of change from one form or state to another. Choice D, transitory state, is not a commonly used term and does not accurately describe the pattern of responding being described.

Question 7

If a researcher is measuring the duration of a target behavior and achieves a steady state of responding, they can then conclude what about the frequency of that target behavior?
A) They cannot make any conclusions about the frequency of the target behavior
B) That the frequency of the target behavior has also achieved a steady state of responding
C) That the target behavior is increasing in frequency
D) That the target behavior is decreasing in frequency

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a researcher is measuring the duration...

Question 8

The steady-state strategy is valuable for all of the following reasons, except:
A) it can encourage curiosity about other measurement decisions
B) it evaluates experimental control
C) it ensures that data being recorded will be valid
D) it facilitates experimental comparisons

Accepted Answer

The steady-state strategy is a valuable tool for evaluating experimental control, facilitating experimental comparisons, and encouraging curiosity about other measurement decisions. However, it does not directly ensure that data being recorded will be valid. Other methods, such as internal and external validity checks, are necessary for ensuring the validity of data.

Question 9

The researcher or practitioner must be sure that data being compared fully represent the impact of each condition, so that any differences in responding that are seen may be attributed to the ______.
A) dependent variable
B) extraneous variables
C) independent variable
D) researchers decisions

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is what is being manipulated in the experiment and is the condition that is hypothesized to affect the dependent variable. Therefore, any observed differences in responding can be attributed to the independent variable. Option A is incorrect because the dependent variable is the outcome variable that is measured in response to the independent variable. Option B is incorrect because extraneous variables are any variables other than the independent variable that could affect the dependent variable, and researchers attempt to control for them but cannot fully eliminate them. Option D is incorrect because the researcher's decisions may impact the study but are not directly related to the comparison of data between conditions.

Question 10

A trend in the data that has no obvious explanation is troublesome for researchers for all of the following reasons, except:
A) some variable is influencing behavior significantly and this could interfere with seeing the impact of the control condition or the intervention condition
B) without an obvious explanation for the trend, the researcher cannot be clear on how to more effectively control the environment to reduce the impact of these factors
C) a trend makes it more difficult to determine the effects of an intervention
D) there are no informal criteria or rules to help guide a researcher's decision-making process if this occurs

Accepted Answer

The statement "there are no informal criteria or rules to help guide a researcher's decision-making process if this occurs" is not a valid reason why a trend with no obvious explanation is troublesome for researchers. In fact, researchers may have formal criteria or rules to help guide their decision-making process, such as statistical significance tests and experimental design principles. The other options provide valid reasons why a trend with no obvious explanation is troublesome for researchers.

Question 11

The most popular approach to determine stability criteria is based on:
A) statistical analysis
B) graphical analysis
C) descriptive analysis
D) nondata criterion

Accepted Answer

Graphical analysis is the most popular approach to determine stability criteria as it allows for visualization of patterns and trends in data over time. Statistical analysis and descriptive analysis may also be useful, but they do not provide the same level of visual insight as graphical analysis. Nondata criterion is not a relevant approach for determining stability criteria.

Question 12

______ criteria usually specify a limited amount of variability that will be permitted over a certain number of data points.
A) Graphical
B) Statistical
C) Descriptive
D) Nondata

Accepted Answer

Statistical criteria usually specify a limited amount of variability that will be permitted over a certain number of data points. Graphical criteria are more visual representations of data, descriptive criteria provide qualitative information, and nondata criteria are not related to data analysis.

Question 13

A relatively consistent change in data in a single direction is called a(n) ______.
A) cycle
B) trend
C) transition state
D) transitory state

Accepted Answer

A trend refers to a consistent change in data in a single direction, either increasing or decreasing. A cycle refers to a repetitive pattern that occurs over a period of time, while transition state or transitory state refer to temporary or short-term changes.

Question 14

______ is a measure of variability defined by the highest and lowest values in a data set.
A) Rate
B) Level
C) Trend
D) Range

Accepted Answer

Range is a measure of variability that represents the difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set. It helps to understand how spread out the data is and provides insight into the diversity of values in a set.

Question 15

A ______ is a repeating pattern of local variability, often involving sequences of increasing and decreasing trends (in either order).
A) level
B) trend
C) range
D) cycle

Accepted Answer

A cycle refers to a repeating pattern of local variability, often involving sequences of increasing and decreasing trends (in either order). It is a natural and common occurrence in various phenomena, such as economics, weather, and biological cycles.

Question 16

A pattern of responding involving change from one steady state to a different steady state is called a .
A) trend
B) transition state
C) transitory state
D) cycle

Accepted Answer

A transition state refers to the change from one steady state to another, indicating a period of adjustment or shift between two stable conditions.

Question 17

Identifying transition and transitory states is a matter of:
A) statistical analysis
B) determining how long each phase should last
C) identifying the steady states preceding and following the transition
D) demonstrating stable responding across sessions

Accepted Answer

Identifying transition and transitory states involves recognizing the stable conditions or phases that come before and after the transition, rather than focusing on the duration of phases or statistical analysis.

Question 18

Just because some aspect of responding is stable, one should not conclude that the ______ is also stable.
A) researcher
B) participant
C) environment
D) observer

Accepted Answer

The stability of a participant's response does not necessarily indicate the stability of the environment in which the response is occurring. The environment may change, and even subtle changes in the environment can affect behavior. Therefore, it is important to consider the stability of both the participant and the environment when interpreting responses.

Question 19

The figure below is an example of data that are in:

A) a steady state
B) a cycle
C) a transitory state
D) a transition state

Accepted Answer

The answer of The figure below is an example of...

Question 20

When comparing the responding in the two phases depicted in the figure below, the proper interpretation of the second phase would be:

A) that the change in responding in the second phase may represent the effects of the condition itself plus extraneous variables present in the first phase
B) that the change in responding in the second phase is due to extraneous variables
C) that the change in responding in the second phase is due to the introduction of the new condition
D) that the change in responding in the second phase is due to the dependent variable

Accepted Answer

The second phase represents a change in responding after the introduction of a new condition, but the interpretation of the change cannot be solely attributed to the new condition. It is important to consider any extraneous variables that may have been present in the first phase and affected the responding. Therefore, the proper interpretation of the second phase would be that the change in responding may represent the effects of the condition itself plus extraneous variables present in the first phase.

Quiz 10: Steady States and Transitions

The steady state strategy involves measuring responding for each participant repeatedly under both baseline and experimental/treatment conditions, with the objective of obtaining a stable pattern of responding that represents _________.

If you repeatedly exposed each subject to a condition in an effort to control or eliminate extraneous influences and allow the condition to fully represent its effects on behavior, you would be using:

By giving a participant repeated exposure first to the baseline condition and then to the intervention condition, the researcher is trying to get a graphical picture of responding under each condition that is and .

If data show that responding is unstable under either the baseline condition or the treatment condition, the investigator should assume that these variations must be due to:

A steady state of responding suggests that extraneous influences are minimal and:

A pattern of responding that shows relatively little variation in its measured dimensional quantities over some period of time is known as a ______.

If a researcher is measuring the duration of a target behavior and achieves a steady state of responding, they can then conclude what about the frequency of that target behavior?

The steady-state strategy is valuable for all of the following reasons, except:

The researcher or practitioner must be sure that data being compared fully represent the impact of each condition, so that any differences in responding that are seen may be attributed to the ______.

A trend in the data that has no obvious explanation is troublesome for researchers for all of the following reasons, except:

The most popular approach to determine stability criteria is based on:

______ criteria usually specify a limited amount of variability that will be permitted over a certain number of data points.

A relatively consistent change in data in a single direction is called a(n) ______.

______ is a measure of variability defined by the highest and lowest values in a data set.

A ______ is a repeating pattern of local variability, often involving sequences of increasing and decreasing trends (in either order) .

A pattern of responding involving change from one steady state to a different steady state is called a .

Identifying transition and transitory states is a matter of:

Just because some aspect of responding is stable, one should not conclude that the ______ is also stable.

The figure below is an example of data that are in:

When comparing the responding in the two phases depicted in the figure below, the proper interpretation of the second phase would be: