Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis [Paperback]

Jon S. Bailey (Author), Mary R. Burch (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0761925562 | ISBN-13: 978-0761925569 | Publication Date: February 13, 2002 | Edition: 1

This very practical, how-to text provides the beginning researcher with the basics of applied behavior analysis research methods. In 10 logical steps, this text covers all of the elements of single-subject research design and it provides practical information for designing, implementing, and evaluating studies. Using a pocketbook format, the authors provide novice researcher with a "steps-for-success" approach that is brief, to-the-point, and clearly delineated.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The topic is timely and the writing style is pragmatic and user-friendly. The field needs an updated book on research methods."

(Pamela G. Osnes )

"There is a definite need for a ‘how to’ book such as this to train behavior analysts…The authors have a very thorough and understandable approach to the topics. They include lots of examples and everyday insights and practical tips that are valuable to new researchers…The strength of this book seems to be in the authors’ experience and sharing of practical advice to readers." 

(Don Patterson )

"I like the conversational style, and I think my students would enjoy reading this book…There is no other how-to text on this topic. I think it will make a useful and much-needed addition to the behavioral textbook market." 

(Jennifer Austin )

About the Author

Jon S. Bailey, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at Florida State University. Dr. Bailey is a past editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, the author of over 100 scholarly research articles, and was listed in the Behavior Analyst as the second most widely published author in applied behavior analysis. Dr. Bailey is an internationally recognized speaker on the topic of applied behavior analysis. He has given major addresses at conferences throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He has guided over 50 doctoral candidates and many more master’s students through publishable dissertations. In this book, he tells the secrets to his success with practical advice that can make or break a study.

 

Mary R. Burch, Ph.D., is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She is also a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. Dr. Burch is an award winning writer; she has published five books and over 100 articles. Her behavioral research has been published by the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Burch is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc; 1 edition (February 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761925562
• ISBN-13: 978-0761925569
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Bailey received his PhD from the University of Kansas and is currently Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Florida State University where he was on the graduate faculty for 38-years and produced a record 63 PhDs. He is currently Co-Director of the FSU Panama City Masters Program in Applied Behavior Analysis, recently cited in the New York Times as one of the top applied behavior analysis programs in the country.

He is President of Behavior Management Consultants, Inc., is Board Certified Behavior Analyst; and has been an Expert Witness for the US Department of Justice and is a Fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis: International and the American Psychological Association. He Past President of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts and is Secretary/Treasurer of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis which he founded in 1980.

Dr. Bailey has published over 100 peer-reviewed research articles, is a past-Editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and is co-author of four recent books: Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis, How Dogs Learn, Ethics for Behavior Analysts, How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst, and most recently 25 Essential Skills and Strategies for Professional Behavior Analysts, all co-authored with Dr. Mary Burch.

His hobbies include photography, videography, and dog training; he has trained his Welsh Springer Spaniel "Wyn" for both Obedience and Agility competitions; Wyn has been ranked #1 in the country for his breed in both performance events.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid guide to quality research, November 12, 2002

By 

"omudford" (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis (Paperback)

Up-to-date guide to developing worthwhile research projects in applied behaviour analysis. Well-written and stimulating style. Will be an essential read for students who are aiming for Behavior Analyst Certification Board credentials and for professionals who aspire to publishing high quality research in top-rated research journals. I will certainly be recommending it to graduates and advanced undergraduates who choose to conduct applied projects as part of their studies.

There are several other books on the topic available. Many are useful, even if up to 20 years in print, and should be read too as they contain different details. However this book updates recommendations and includes recent developments in electronic literature research, data-collection, and presentation.

A distinctive aspect of Bailey & Burch (2002) is that it acknowledges the difficulties of conducting good behaviour analytic research and suggests how to avoid those difficulties (e.g., conducting informal pilot studies) or how to escape them if they do arise (e.g., recognising when a service is just not a suitable host for the fledgling researcher). These considerations are not usually included in research methods texts. It is refreshing and inspiring that the authors are making public their research development "secrets for success".

The authors recommend extremely high standards for evaluating the quality of data. Even some well-established highly published research groups may not meet those standards. Students may need help in recognising where compromises are acceptable to enable them to conduct reserach that is practically possible and still valid.

Overall - this book is splendid.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, March 8, 2007

By 

H. Day "MTB Mom" (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis (Paperback)

This book is easy to read, has useful information, and the author has a good sense of humor.

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a text that teaches behavior analytic research skills behavior analytically!, October 26, 2010

By 

Amanda W. Doll (Carmel, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis (Paperback)

I found Bailey & Burch's outstanding text by happy accident, while searching for a resource for my BCBA students, who are preparing posters to present at the end of their practicum course. It was so perfect for them that I sent the publication information to them -- with an apology that it came too late for their course on research methods in applied behavior analysis!

Bailey and Burch get the pedagogy for this text RIGHT -- that is to say, they teach like the behavior analysts they are. Behavior analysts are those helping and teaching professionals who, by dint of their research and practical experience, really should "know better" than to confuse "telling" with "teaching." In consultation to teachers and caregivers, behavior analysts have repeatedly demonstrated that effective instruction is based on task-analysis followed by practice and feedback on those tasks. Unfortunately, up to now, there was no text on research methods that went beyond a "train and hope" orientation.

Previous texts adroitly described the types of research designs available and accurately explained the means by which to evaluate graphic displays of data; this provided the "training." Beyond that, though, students had to "hope" that a willing mentor assisted with the rest. Instructors, too, had to "hope" that, after the coursework was finished, the students were ready to apply what they and the text had taught (presumably through contingency adduction and selection through consequences).

Bailey and Burch do something completely different: they provide what was previously left to "hope;" the text progresses from the task analysis components involved, from picking a topic of study, through gaining access to a research site, to currying favor with the persons found there, in preparing a successful HS-IRB application, all the way through manuscript preparation and publication. This is what it means to teach behavior analysis behavior analytically.