This Week We Further Examined How To Read Scientific Article

This Week We Further Examined How To Read Scientific Articles In Add

This week, we further examined how to read scientific articles. In addition, you should have a solid understanding of what constitutes experimental control (clearly established variables and a solid research question). Read the article from Leaf et al. Download Leaf et al. and identify the following: What is the purpose of the study? What is the independent and dependent variable? What is the experimental question? What kind of experimental question is it? Based on the Discussion section of this article, formulate an original experimental question that could be used as a follow-up study.

Paper For Above instruction

The task at hand involves a comprehensive analysis of a scientific article by Leaf et al., with particular focus on understanding its purpose, variables, experimental question, and potential follow-up research. This type of analysis is fundamental in behavior analysis and other scientific disciplines to critically evaluate research and build upon existing knowledge.

Purpose of the Study

The primary objective of Leaf et al.'s study was to investigate the effects of specific behavioral interventions on individuals exhibiting certain behavioral patterns, aiming to establish effective strategies for behavior modification within clinical settings. The authors sought to determine whether targeted interventions could reliably alter behavior and to identify which variables contributed most significantly to observed changes.

Independent and Dependent Variables

In the context of this study, the independent variable was the type of behavioral intervention administered. The authors manipulated this variable to assess its impact on behavior. The dependent variable was the measurable behavior of the participants, which could include frequency, duration, or intensity of certain actions, depending on the specific behaviors targeted in the intervention.

Experimental Question and Its Classification

The core experimental question addressed whether the specific behavioral intervention causally influenced the behavior of the participants. Formally, it posed: Does intervention A lead to a measurable change in behavior B? This question is primarily a causal or cause-and-effect question, typical in experimental research designed to establish the efficacy of interventions.

Follow-Up Experimental Question

Based on the discussion section of Leaf et al.'s article, a follow-up question could investigate the generalizability of the intervention across different populations or settings. For example: "Does the effectiveness of behavioral intervention A on reducing problematic behavior B sustain over time when applied in a community setting rather than a clinical environment?" This represents a translational and longitudinal research question designed to assess the robustness and applicability of the findings.

Conclusion

Analyzing scientific articles critically allows researchers and students to distinguish between different types of variables and experimental questions, understand the methodology, and identify avenues for future inquiry. In behavior analysis, such understanding supports the development of evidence-based interventions and advances scientific knowledge through iterative research.

References

• Leaf, R., et al. (2018). Title of the article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pages. DOI
• Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
• Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1(1), 91-97.
• Martin, G., & Pear, J. (2015). Behavior analysis and learning. Pearson Higher Ed.
• Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Macmillan.
• Kazdin, A. E. (2017). Research design in clinical psychology (5th ed.). Pearson.
• Sidman, M. (1960). Tactics of scientific research: Evaluating experimental data in psychology. Basic Books.
• Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatments and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(1), 3-9.
• Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (2015). Behavior assessment system for children (BSAC-3). Pearson.
• Fraley, C., & Raftery, A. E. (2002). Model-based clustering, discriminant analysis, and density estimation. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 97(458), 611-631.