Cited by 462Behavioral and Psychological StudiesAcademic and Historical Perspectives in PsychologyPsychology Research and Bibliometrics

The integrity of independent variables in behavior analysis

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Peterson, Lizette, Homer, Andrew L., Wonderlich, Stephen A.·1982·Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

Abstract

Establishing a functional relationship between the independent and the dependent variable is the primary focus of applied behavior analysis. Accurate and reliable description and observation of both the independent and dependent variables are necessary to achieve this goal. Although considerable attention has been focused on ensuring the integrity of the dependent variable in the operant literature, similar effort has not been directed at ensuring the integrity of the independent variable. Inaccurate descriptions of the application of the independent variable may threaten the reliability and validity of operant research data. A survey of articles in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis demonstrated that the majority of articles published do not use any assessment of the actual occurrence of the independent variable and a sizable minority do not provide operational definitions of the independent variable. The feasibility and utility of ensuring the integrity of the independent variable is described.

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Crossref · 10.1901/jaba.1982.15-477

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Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. Bellack, A. S., Hersen, M., & Himmelhock, J. M. Social skills training for depression: A treatment manual. JSAS Catalog of Selected Documents, 1980, 10, 25. (MS. 2156).
  2. Billingsley, F., White, 0. R., & Munson, R. Proce- dural reliability: A rationale and an example. Be- havioral Assessment, 1980, 2, 229-241.
  3. Hasazi, J. E., & Hasazi, S. E. Effects of teacher at- tention on digit-reversal behavior in an elemen- tary school child. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1972, 5, 157-162.
  4. Hersen, M. Complex problems require complex so- lutions. Behavior Therapy, 1981, 12, 15-29.
  5. Mathews, R. M., & Fawcett, S. B. Community ap- plications of instructional technology: Training low-income proctors. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1977, 10, 747-754.
  6. O'Leary, K. D., Kent, R. N., & Kanowitz, J. Shap- ing data collection congruent with experimental hypotheses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analy- sis, 1975, 8, 43-52.
  7. Paul, G. L., & Lentz, R. J. Psychological treatment for chronic mental patients: Milieu versus social learning programs. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1977.
  8. Romanczyk, R. G., Kent, R. N., Diament, C., & O'Leary, K. D. Measuring the reliability of ob- servational data: A reactive process. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1973, 6, 175-184.
  9. Rosenthal, R., & Rosnow, R. L. Artifact in behav- ioral research. New York: Academic Press, 1969.

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Authors
Peterson, L., Homer, A. L., & Wonderlich, S. A.
Affiliations
Missouri Department of Mental Health (US)
Corresponding author
Peterson, Lizette
Venue
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1982-12
Volume
15
Issue
4
Pages
477-492
ISSN
  • 0021-8855 (ISSN-L)
  • 1938-3703
OpenAlex
W2059257145
Cited by
461
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 17
FWCI
12.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › General Psychology › Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Psychology Research and Bibliometrics
Keywords
operational definitions, functional relationships, applied behavior analysis, research reliability, research validity
MeSH terms
Behavior Therapy, Child, Conditioning, Operant, Humans, Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care, Reinforcement Schedule, Research

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