Data Visualization in Behavior Analysis: Equal Interval Graphs, Cumulative Records, Bar Graphs, and Scatterplots

Data visualization in behavior analysis: equal interval graphs, cumulative records, bar graphs, scatterplots

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), data collection and analysis play a critical role in decision-making. Decisions should be data-driven in order to maintain objectivity and limit bias. To ensure that interventions are effective and progress is tracked accurately, behavior analysts rely on various forms of data visualization. These visual tools allow practitioners to evaluate trends, patterns, and the impact of interventions in a clear and concise way while also providing data in an easy to understand form for clients and stakeholders. Equal interval graphs, cumulative records, bar graphs, and scatterplots are the most common forms of graphs in Applied Behavior Analysis. Each type of graph offers distinct advantages based on the behavior analyst’s or practitioner’s goal.

What are Equal Interval Graphs?

Equal interval graphs are much more commonly known as line graphs and are the most commonly used form of data visualization in ABA. Visual analysis is the primary form of data analysis in ABA and equal interval graphs are great to visually analyze. These graphs display data points across time intervals, where each interval on the x-axis (time) and y-axis (behavior) is of equal size. For example, if I were measuring the frequency of screaming across my sessions then I would graph the number of screams on my y-axis and each session would go on my x-axis. Together, this will form a data point which will combine into a data path and start to show data trends.

Key Features of Equal Interval Graphs

  • The x-axis represents the passage of time. This may be sessions, hours, days, minutes, or however else you choose to track your time.
  • The y-axis represents what you are measuring, or the dependent variable. If you are measuring a skill for increase or a behavior for decrease, each would go on the y-axis.
  • The idea is that an equal interval graph will show proportionate increases or decreases in behavior while highlighting trends and variability.

Benefits of Equal Interval Graphs

  • Data trends are easily visible when using line graphs or equal interval graphs
  • Equal interval graphs make interpreting the effectiveness of interventions quite easy
  • Data are easy to present to naive or untrained observers using these graphs

What are Cumulative Records?

Cumulative records are graphs that visually represent the accumulation of data over time. Unlike equal interval graphs, where each point represents an individual occurrence of behavior, cumulative records display a running total of behaviors, never resetting to zero. In other words, cumulative record data paths never go down because you are just adding your new data to the total old data. For example, if you recorded 45 instances of behavior already, and you were graphing with a cumulative record, you would just add the number of instances you record next to the 45 which would either increase the total or keep the total the same, but the total would never decrease.

Key Features of Cumulative Records

  • The x-axis is the passage of time
  • The y-axis is the cumulative or total amount of data collected over the lifespan of the cumulative record. This number never decreases.
  • If the slope of the data path is steep then that indicates a higher rate of responding. If the slope of the cumulative record is flat then that indicates a lower rate of responding.

Benefits of Cumulative Records

  • Cumulative records are great for demonstrating how often or not often a behavior happens over time
  • Progress can be shown easily through a cumulative record
  • This was the primary method used by B.F. Skinner for tracking his data

What are Scatterplots in Applied Behavior Analysis?

Scatterplots are used to identify patterns or relationships between two variables Often, scatterplots will be used to demonstrated the relationship between a behavior and the time that the behavior occurs. Each point on the graph represents a data pair from two dimensions, typically showing the relationship between time and behavior. For example, you may track an entire school day by the hour and mark each hour with a checkmark or “x” when the behavior occurred. Over time, you may identify a pattern and be able to narrow your focus.

Key Features of Scatterplots

  • X-axis represents time of day/setting/environmental variable
  • Y-axis on the scatterplot represents a separate variable like frequency of behavior
  • Each dot, or checkmark, or “x” represents the occurrence of a behavior at that point in whatever environmental variable you’ve chosen

Benefits of Scatterplots

  • Scatterplots are great for pinpointing correlations between environmental variables and behavior occurrences
  • Data are easy to visually analyze thanks to the intuitive nature of the scatterplot
  • Patterns emerge as more and more data are collected

Why Graph Data to Communicate Relevant Quantitative Relations?

Equal interval graphs, cumulative records, and scatterplots offer distinct benefits for behavior analysts and allow for the easy visual analysis and interpretation of collected data. Equal interval graphs help track behavior trends, cumulative records display the accumulation of behaviors, and scatterplots reveal correlations and patterns between variables. When the appropriate graph for their data is selected, behavior analysts can ensure that their visual representations of behavior provide clear, actionable insights for intervention planning and decision-making. Understanding and correctly interpreting these graphs allow behavior analysts to make data-driven decisions that can significantly improve client outcomes.

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