Alternating Treatments Design Overview

What distinguishes the alternating-treatments design (ATD) from other research designs?

In an alternating-treatments design, which of the following is true about data collection?

Why is the alternating-treatments design beneficial in controlling for extraneous variables?

In the context of the ATD, what would be an appropriate hypothesis to test?

What would be an important consideration when implementing an alternating-treatments design?

What is indicated by the separation in data between cartoon days and no-cartoon days?

In a changing-criterion design, what distinguishes it from an A-B design?

How is the effectiveness of the treatment determined in a changing-criterion design?

What does a changing-criterion design graph illustrate?

What does a functional relationship indicate in the context of aggressive behavior and cartoon viewing?

Alternating-Treatments Design (ATD)

Also known as multi-element design, compares baseline and treatment conditions in rapid succession.
Alternates between treatment and baseline conditions daily, allowing for immediate comparison.
Useful for evaluating the impact of treatments within the same time frame, controlling for extraneous variables.
Example: A teacher investigates the relationship between violent cartoons and aggressive behavior in preschoolers by alternating days of no cartoons and days with cartoons.
Data indicates aggressive behaviors recorded are higher on days when violent cartoons are viewed, demonstrating a functional relationship.

Data Analysis in ATD

The effectiveness of the design is shown when there is separation in data, indicating consistent behavioral differences between conditions.
Graphs display aggressive behaviors corresponding to cartoon viewing days (odd-numbered) and non-viewing days (even-numbered) for clear visual analysis.
If data consistently shows higher aggression on cartoon days, a functional relationship is established.

Changing-Criterion Design

Incorporates both baseline and treatment phases, differing from A-B designs by implementing sequential performance criteria.
Involves setting successive goal levels for the target behavior during treatment.
Evaluates effectiveness based on whether the subject's behavior adapts to the changing performance criteria.
Graphs indicate criterion levels against which the subject's behavior is measured to assess treatment success.

This quiz explores the alternating-treatments design (ATD), also known as a multi-element design, which contrasts baseline and treatment conditions in rapid succession. Participants will learn about the structure and application of this specific research design, including examples of treatment and baseline phases.