ABSTRACT

For the purposes of measuring dependent variables in the context of a single case design (SCD) study, researcher will need to decide whether they are reversible or non-reversible. The most common type of dependent variable assessment in SCD research is direct, systematic observation and recording (DSOR). When using DSOR, there are two options when recording behavior occurrence: continuous recording and non-continuous recording. Perhaps the simplest option for measuring behavior is to count the number of times it happens; this is an intuitive metric and one often used in typical non-research settings. Some behaviors can occur at any time during a measurement occasion, while others are dependent on specific antecedent events. When count is used to measure behavior occurrence, it can be transformed for data presentation for ease of comparison between measurement occasions. Specifically, it is often transformed into a percentage or a rate.