A comparison of data collection techniques used with discrete trial teaching

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Highlights

  • Continuous recording was generally the most accurate data collection system.

  • Estimation recording was the most efficient data collection system.

  • Time sample was the most preferred data collection system.

  • Clinicians can use a variety of data collection systems depending on the situation.

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the comparative value of three discrete trial teaching data collection techniques: Continuous recording, time sample, and estimation. The data collection was conducted by behavior interventionists while teaching children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder skills using discrete trial teaching. Utilizing a counter-balanced design, data collection techniques were examined in regards to their accuracy, that is, their correspondence to the independent measurement of a primary observer collecting contemporaneous trial-by-trial data. Also assessed were the relative impacts of the various techniques on efficiency of therapy and rate of children's acquisition. Finally, interventionists rated their preference of and satisfaction with each of the three techniques. Continuous recording was generally the most accurate, although the other methods were accurate to a degree when used by trained recorders to justify their usage in applied settings. Estimation was the most efficient and time sample was the most preferred.

Section snippets

Participants

Adult participant: The researchers evaluated the ability of three behavior therapists to implement DTT and take data across three data systems throughout the course of the study. The therapists all had at least a bachelor's degree in psychology or in a related field and had been working in the field of applied behavior analysis an average of 4 years. Therapist 1 was a 25-year old female who held a Bachelor Degree; she had 3 years of experience in the field of ABA and 36 months working for the

Accuracy of data collection

We first evaluated the percentage of agreement between the researcher and the adult participant during sessions of discrete trial teaching across three different measurement systems. The adult participants implemented a total of 5298 teaching trials across the three measurement conditions. The overall percentage agreement between the researcher and the adult participant for the child participants’ correct responding across all research sessions was 84% for continuous recording, 72% for

Discussion

This study investigated and compared three different data systems in regards to their accuracy, efficiency, and user preference. On most, but not all measures, the continuous recording was the most accurate, with time sampling less accurate, and estimation data, relatively speaking, the least accurate. On one of the accuracy measures, consisting of point-by-point comparison between continuous recording and time sample, the latter was more accurate. It should be noted that anecdotal report

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