What is baseline data and why do you need it?
Once you have target behavior and behavioral definition you need to start taking baseline data. Baseline data has two purposes (1) to show function and (2) to determine if an improvement has been made. Basically baseline data is going to tell you what road to take and it will also make sure you are continuously on the right track.
What is a stable baseline?
With a stable baseline, there's no evidence of upward or downward trends; things may fluctuate a little over time but for the most part the data points fall into a pretty tight range. A stable baseline is the best basis for starting your project.
What does it mean when the baseline is unstable?
When the data points range all over the place and there are no clear trends, you have an unstable or variable baseline. With a variable baseline, it's usually not a good idea to introduce any sort of intervention, because the variations in the baseline make it too hard to tell whether any changes will be a direct result of the intervention.
Which baseline characteristics should be used to adjust the analysis?
To summarise, choice of baseline characteristics by which an analysis is adjusted should be determined by prior knowledge of an influence on outcome rather than evidence of imbalance between treatment groups in the trial.
What are Baselines?
Baseline information provides a starting point for comparisons. In the field of ABA, baseline information is collected prior to intervention – this provides the practitioner with data about where the learner is starting and is one factor in determining if intervention is effective. Find our more about choosing the right data collection method.
Why Collect Baseline Data?
Baseline data is important because it provides information on the current skill levels of the learner. Once an intervention is implemented, a comparison can be made between where the learner started and the progress they have made. The goal is for the data points to move in the intended direction.
How to Collect Baseline Data
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE BASELINE REFERENCE GUIDE When collecting baseline data, you want to give the learner an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the space, people, and expectations. It can be difficult to perform your best when it is a new space with unknown people and unclear expectations.
What Comes After Baseline?
Baseline data provides a starting point to determine what should come next. An intervention plan can be put in place once baseline data is collected and analyzed. Data collection should be ongoing so that the instructor can identify if progress is being made and if mastery/revision criteria have been met.
Why Conduct Baseline Probes
The purpose for conducting baseline probes is to establish a control in an experiment. In order to know whether or not an intervention (independent variable) changed a behavior (dependent variable) you would need a reference as to how often the behavior occurs prior to starting an intervention.
Ascending
Sometimes during baseline a behavior path is ascending which means the behavior is increasing. If the behavior is a desirable behavior, this may mean that no intervention is necessary since the learner is acquiring the skill naturally.
Descending
Sometimes during baseline a behavior path is descending which means the behavior is decreasing. If the behavior is an undesirable behavior, this may mean that no intervention is necessary since the learner is acquiring the skill naturally.
Variable
Sometimes a baseline data path looks variable or is up and down. This is typically caused by extraneous factors in the environment. Sometimes, you can pinpoint what is causing this variability and an intervention may not be necessary. Otherwise, you should wait for the behavior to be emitted at a stable rate before implementing an intervention.
Stable
A stable baseline means that the respondent is emitting a behavior at the same rate and it is time to implement an intervention.
How to Use a Baseline to Develop Experimental Control
In order for a baseline to be used to establish a functional relationship between the independent and dependent variables also known as experimental control, the follow things must occur: Prediction, Affirmation of Consequent, Verification and Replication
Prediction
Prediction is when a behavior analyst predicts that once a stable baseline is established, without any intervention, the behavior will occur at the same rate in the future.
What Does Baseline Data Mean?
In order to study different subjects, researchers require a certain degree of previous information to establish the scope and reach of their investigation.
Example
Fami Toys Co. is a company that designs and manufactures educational toys for small children from 3 to 10 years old. They have been in business for 3 years and they currently have two very successful products already in the market.
What does it mean when the baseline is descending?
If the baseline is descending, indicating that fewer and fewer teens are smoking, then you may want to hold off on conduct ing any sort of intervention. However, if the baseline is ascending, showing that teen smoking is on the rise, then conducting some sort of intervention is probably the right thing to do.
What is the first phase of behavior modification?
Experts generally consider determining baseline measures of behavior to be the first phase in any sort of behavior modification program, followed by implementation of the program and finally a follow-up phase in which the results are measured and analyzed.
How do baseline measures help you plan a program?
To plan a truly effective program, you have to know how much of an effect your efforts are having. You need to have an idea of the level of the problem without your efforts being a factor to know whether you're really making a difference at all .
What is baseline measure?
The things you keep track of in order to obtain this sort of information are called baseline measures. In other words, the baseline is the standard against which you will measure all subsequent changes implemented by your program.
How effective is baseline measure?
Using your baseline measures to figure out how prevalent any problems and positive tendencies are in your community can be very effective in helping you to monitor how the effect your efforts are having. By giving you one way to measure the success of your programs, baseline measures can be enormously helpful to your efforts.
Why is it important to keep track of baselines?
However, keeping track of baselines, such as standardized test scores or high school graduation rates, can help you better understand the bigger picture. A baseline can help you decide whether this is a good time to start an intervention or whether a particular intervention is appropriate.
What is BRFSS in health?
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services.