HomeBxLogDana Do'sDana Do’s: Three Characteristics of Operational Definitions Dana Do’s: Three Characteristics of Operational Definitions February 6, 2025 You are going to have to be able to discriminate good operational definitions in BCBA®/BCaBA® exam questions. That means you have to know that a good operational definition has three very important characteristics, and you have to understand those characteristics. A good operational definition must be objective, clear, and complete. Objectivity is the easiest to ascertain because you can think about subjectivity. Ask yourself, what is subjective? Words like “generous,” “upset,” or “ambitious.” These are explanations that do not describe the observable parts of the behavior or the environment. When you see these types of subjective, inferred descriptions, they should be translated into objective ones. For example, instead of measuring one being a good test taker, you would measure someone scoring 80% or higher on mock exams. Once you have those objective words in place, make sure the description is clear. Meaning, it can be understood by others without requiring additional information. For example, scoring 80% on BACB® proportional mock exams with 185 questions or more. You know a definition is clear when several people are able to collect reliable data without having to seek any clarification. Finally, the third characteristic is complete. This is the part of the definition that specifies all that is involved, like the specific margins for the onset and offset of the behavior, the possible examples, and the non-examples. This helps to clarify occurrence versus non-occurrence. When you think of operational definitions, use this handy acronym: OCC– objective, clear, and complete.Test. 6th Edition TCOC. Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation C.1 Create operational definitions of behavior. Mini Mocks COperational DefinitionStreaming Lecture Series Related Content Dana Do's: Two Procedures for Calculating Duration If you’re looking for data on how long a behavior occurs, duration is the name of the game. However, as PTB founder Dana Meller explains, there are two methods for ensuring and reporting duration that future BCBA®s need to know.Dana Do's: What's the Difference Between Continuous and Discontinuous Measurement? It’s all too easy to mix up continuous and discontinuous measurement procedures. Need some help discriminating between the two? Get clarity with help from PTB founder Dana Meller.Y-axis The vertical axis of a graph, which displays the quantitative values of the measured behavior (e.g., count, percent correct).Whole interval recording A time-sampling data collection method used to estimate the overall occurrence of a behavior by measuring the number of intervals during which the behavior occurs for the entire duration of…Trials to criterion The specification of the number of response opportunities required to achieve a pre-specified level of performance criteria.Validity Measurement is trustworthy when the measurement that produces data is applicable and specific to the target behavior of interest and the relevant dimension of that behavior; in other words, you…Variability On a line graph, the degree to which the data points bounce around the data path.X-axis The horizontal axis of a graph, which frequently represents the dates or sessions across which data were collected.Topography Measurement that describes a behavior’s physical form and shape.Training duration The predicted amount of training time needed for a client to achieve independence and mastery in program goals.Trend On a line graph, the overall direction of the data path.Temporal extent A measure of the duration of time that a behavior occurs from onset (i.e., start) to offset (i.e., end).Temporal locus When measurement refers to the point in time that the behavior occurs (latency, interresponse time).Standard celeration chart A standardized process for charting and analyzing how the rate of behavior changes over time.Split-middle line of progress A line drawn on a line graph that represents the general direction of the data; used to visually analyze the overall trend of the graphed data.Scatterplot A chart and measurement system that displays patterns related to behavior and specific time and setting variables.Scale break Specific marks on, or breaks in, the x-axis (i.e., horizontal axis) indicating the time periods during which data were not collected.Reliability Measurement is trustworthy when the degree to which repeating a measurement procedure under the same conditions produces the same result.Product measures A measurement of a target behavior taken by measuring the lasting environmental changes produced by that behavior, rather than counting actual occurrences of the behavior. (E.g., test scores, completed chores,…Rate A derived measure of behavior that involves calculating the number of occurrences of a given response within a given period of time (e.g., number of mands per hour). Answers the…Quarterly intersect line of progress A method of analyzing the trend of the data on a line graph that involves dividing the data into two equal parts and establishing intersections for mid-rate and mid-date points…Percentage A derived measure of behavior that depicts the proportional quantity of the number of times the behavior occurred out of the total number of opportunities for that behavior to occur…Planned activity check A time-sampling data collection method used to estimate the overall occurrence of behaviors of a group of individuals by measuring the number of intervals during which the behavior occurs at…Operational definition An objective, clear, and complete description of target behavior.Occurrence data A measurement of behavior that represents its repeatability and countability.Partial interval recording A time-sampling data collection method used to estimate the overall occurrence of a behavior by measuring the number of intervals during which the behavior occurs at any time within an…Observer drift When observers collecting data have a shift/drift in how they interpret the operational definition of the target behavior that affects the validity of their data.Observer reactivity When an observer’s data collection or performance is influenced by the awareness that they are being monitored and evaluated.Magnitude The measurable dimension of a behavior’s strength, force, intensity, and/or severity.Momentary time sampling A time-sampling data collection method used to estimate the overall occurrence of a behavior by measuring the number of intervals during which the behavior occurs at the end of an…Measurement artifact Data that represents an unwarranted and misleading picture of behavior because of how it was measured, typically a product of time-sampling, limiting measurement scales, or poorly scheduled measurement periods.Measurement bias When an observer’s measurement is influenced by an expectation or belief they hold rather than what actually occurred.Line graph A chart used to display the occurrence of behavior across specific time periods. Each data point shows the level of some quantifiable feature of the dependent variable in relation to…Mean level line A horizontal line on a line graph established by calculating the average of the graphed data points; used to signify the degree to which data points converge on the y-axis.Median level line A horizontal line on a line graph established by calculating the median of the graphed data points, used to signify the degree to which data points converge on the y-axis.Latency The measurable duration of time between the onset or appearance of a stimulus and the initiation of the response.Interresponse time (IRT) A measurable duration of time that elapses between two consecutive instances of a response.Interobserver agreement (IOA) A measurement of the degree to which two or more observers report the same values when observing and collecting data for the same behaviors/events.Level On a line graph, the degree to which the data points on the y-axis converge, established by calculating the mean or median of the graphed data points.Indirect measures of behavior A measurement of behavior that is not based on an actual observation of the behavior itself, but a secondhand account of the behavior’s occurrence (e.g., rating scales, permanent product, descriptive…Equal interval graph A graph, used to analyze the effects of treatment on a target behavior over time, that visually represents data in which the distance between any two consecutive points on the…Environmental constraint Something within a person’s environment that can be a barrier to the effectiveness of behavior analysis-based services.Duration Hint: Duration answers the question, “How long did that behavior last?” A measurable dimension of the amount of time that a behavior persists from onset (i.e., the start) of the…Discontinuous measurement A measurement procedure in which a sample of a target behavior is recorded during a specific period of time, instead of every instance of the behavior.Dosage The intensity, frequency, and duration of the behavioral treatment provided to a client.Direct measures of behavior A real-time measurement of a behavior as it is occurring, resulting in each instance of the observed behavior being recorded.Data path A line that connects successive data points within a specific phase of treatment or condition on a graph.Data points Specific symbols on a graph that represent the measurement of a behavior, recorded during a specific observation period.Data The result of measuring a quantifiable aspect of behavior, used to assess and evaluate behavior and behavior analysis-based services.Count A measurement that directly summarizes the number of occurrences of a given response/behavior. Answers the question: How many times did the behavior occur, or how many of something were produced?Continuous measurement A measurement procedure in which every instance of a target behavior is recorded during a specific period of time.Cost-benefit analysis An analysis of the potential costs and benefits of implementing a behavioral technology (e.g., an assessment, or intervention).Cumulative record A continuous graph to which new data are added, visually displaying the cumulative total of the behavior over time. Hint: Think of this as a visual display of a collection,…Condition change lines Vertical lines, drawn upward from the x-axis to the top of the graph, that separate the points in time of different independent variable conditions or important changes within a treatment…Celeration A measure of the change (i.e., increase or decrease) in the rate of a behavior over a period of time. Answers the question: How did the rate of behavior change…Bar graph A chart that displays data using rectangular bars or columns that represent unrelated discrete sets of data with a common dimension.Accuracy The degree to which what was measured (observed value) is representative of what actually occurred (true value); in other words, the data was measured correctly.Dana Do's: All the Validities in ABA, Explained PTB founder Dana Meller helps connect each of the validities to the validity of this explanation.Dana Do's: Why IOA Math Should Not Intimidate You PTB co-founder takes some of the fear out of the interobserver agreement math with simple tips that can help narrow your discrimination.Dana Do's: How to Define the Markers of Trustworthy Measurement PTB co-founder goes into the three factors that define trustworthy measurement-- "validity", "reliability" and "accuracy". But what's the difference between each? Dana explains.Dana Do's: How to Decipher the Many Forms of Validity It's particularly meaningful to be able to tell validity, social validity, internal and external validity apart. PTB co-founder Dana Meller has some tips to do just that.Dana Do's: Three Characteristics of Operational Definitions Being able to discriminate good operational definitions is essential, especially when it comes to correctly answering exam questions. PTB founder Dana Meller breaks down the three characteristics of operational definitions and shares a handy acronym to help make it more memorable.PTB Year in Prep: A Data-Filled Look at 2023’s Study Stats As scientists, we know you love data. PTB crunched the numbers based on behaviors of the thousands of dedicated students who trusted us with their journey to certification. It’s been…Beat the Odds: Factors that Impact Performance on the BCBA® Exam Though the exam may be difficult, it’s not impossible to achieve a passing score. There are several ways students can improve their chances and beat the odds. The right preparation is essential.How Hard is it to Pass the BCBA® Exam? The question every future BCBA® inevitably asks: how hard is it to pass the BCBA® exam? If you’ve heard the stories or seen the data, then you know the exam has a reputation for being difficult. Ask around and you’ll likely hear that it’s sort of like running a marathon. But barefoot, on broken glass, in a giant corn maze, guarded by storm troopers and you can’t remember where you left your lightsaber…oh, and your headphones just died. Dana Do's: What Do Philosophical Assumptions Got To Do With It? It often feels like the board is asking candidates to study concepts you may never use in practice. PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains why that's actually inaccurate. The philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis is so much more integral than just passing the big exam.Stuffed Schedule? 6 Tips for Better Time Management #1: Set Deadlines Believe it or not, setting deadlines can help you get more done. Parkinson’s Law is the idea that “work expands to fill the time available for its…5 Science-Backed Tips to Make Your Study Space More Soothing #1 – Declutter to De-stress Fortunately, this first tip costs nothing. Unfortunately, it may require a bit of elbow grease. Organizing your study or work station can help you better…5 Foods to Boost Brainpower While Studying #1 Green tea You’d be hard pressed to find an ABA student who isn’t reaching for caffeine in one form or another. Try sipping on green tea the next time…From PTB’s Test (Prep) Kitchens: A Brain-Boosting Berry Smoothie It’s important to fuel your brain and body with nutritious food that will give you the energy to power through long days and even longer study sessions. But, between school,…Dana Do's: What Chaining Method to Use When? The books don't really say much about what chaining methods BCBA's should apply to what behaviors. PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks it down. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-8: Use chaining.Behind the Scenes of the Big Exam Prep Workshop Known for her trademark humor and clinical knowledge, PTB co-founder Dana Meller takes students behind the scenes of creating the PTB Streaming Lecture Series, a collection of 9 pre-recorded lectures covering each of the BCBA® 5th edition task list sections.Dana Do's: BCBA® Exam Prep Studying Tips PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares helpful tips about incorporating studying into your already busy lives. Dana Do's: How to Make Time for Studying for the BCBA® Exam PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares helpful tips about incorporating studying into your already busy lives.Dana Do's: The Problem With Making Assumptions on the BCBA® Exam PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares practical insight on the importance of approaching exam questions at face value.Dana Do's: Use Mistakes to Assess How You Test PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares insights on how to use your mock BCBA® exam mistakes to assess and improve your test-taking behavior.
