Alternating Treatments Design Overview

Questions and Answers

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

It requires multiple baseline measurements before treatment.

It allows comparison of treatments conducted over different time periods.

It uses multiple treatment phases sequentially.

It alternates between treatment and baseline conditions quickly. (correct)

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

Data collection must cease if a trend is identified.

At least three points must be collected to analyze trends. (correct)

Data points must be collected daily.

Data from control and treatment phases are collected separately.

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

It eliminates the use of control groups.

It requires more extensive testing periods.

It focuses solely on quantitative data collection.

Both conditions are tested under similar time frames. (correct)

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

Preschool children exhibit more aggression after watching cartoons. Signup and view all the answers

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

Control for external factors that could vary between days. Signup and view all the answers

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

Aggressive behavior is consistently higher on cartoon days. Signup and view all the answers

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

Sequential performance criteria are specified. Signup and view all the answers

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

By whether the subject's behavior changes to meet the changing performance criteria. Signup and view all the answers

What does a changing-criterion design graph illustrate?

Each criterion level along with the subject's behavior over time. Signup and view all the answers

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

There is an observable effect of cartoon viewing on aggressive behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

Description

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.