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Variations in Behavior Analysts' Operational Definitions.

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Title: Variations in Behavior Analysts' Operational Definitions.
Authors: Fraidlin, Avner (AUTHOR), Halkowski, Madeline (AUTHOR), Van Stratton, Jessica E. (AUTHOR), Kubina, Rick (AUTHOR)
Source: Education & Treatment of Children (Springer Nature). Dec2025, Vol. 48 Issue 4, p375-388. 14p.
Subjects: Operational definitions, Empirical research, Research personnel, University research, Applied sciences, Gaging, Behavioral assessment
Abstract: The effectiveness of behavior analytic interventions and scientific investigations rests on the validity and accuracy with which practitioners and researchers define and measure behaviors. Experts widely recommend using operational definitions to define behaviors. However, researchers have yet to extensively document an empirical investigation on developing operational definitions. Instead, practitioners have relied on textbooks to provide a shared understanding of the commonly used general guidelines. The current study investigated how behavior analysts operationalize behaviors by having respondents develop operational definitions for two behaviors displayed in short video recordings. Statistically significant associations between respondent characteristics and definitional components use were limited, suggesting that various behavior analysts' characteristics that were analyzed (e.g., certification level, years of experience, client population) did not affect how behavior analysts generated different components of operational definitions. Implications, recommendations for future investigations, and limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Education & Treatment of Children (Springer Nature) is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Education+%26+Treatment+of+Children+%28Springer+Nature%29%22">Education & Treatment of Children (Springer Nature)</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 48 Issue 4, p375-388. 14p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Operational+definitions%22">Operational definitions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Empirical+research%22">Empirical research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+personnel%22">Research personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22University+research%22">University research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Applied+sciences%22">Applied sciences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gaging%22">Gaging</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Behavioral+assessment%22">Behavioral assessment</searchLink>
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  Data: The effectiveness of behavior analytic interventions and scientific investigations rests on the validity and accuracy with which practitioners and researchers define and measure behaviors. Experts widely recommend using operational definitions to define behaviors. However, researchers have yet to extensively document an empirical investigation on developing operational definitions. Instead, practitioners have relied on textbooks to provide a shared understanding of the commonly used general guidelines. The current study investigated how behavior analysts operationalize behaviors by having respondents develop operational definitions for two behaviors displayed in short video recordings. Statistically significant associations between respondent characteristics and definitional components use were limited, suggesting that various behavior analysts' characteristics that were analyzed (e.g., certification level, years of experience, client population) did not affect how behavior analysts generated different components of operational definitions. Implications, recommendations for future investigations, and limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Education & Treatment of Children (Springer Nature) is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=190358619
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              Text: Dec2025
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