Toward an Automation of Functional Analysis Interpretation: A Proof of Concept

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cox A ; Friedel JE
• Description:
  The advent of functional analysis (FA) methodology paved the way for improved function-based behavioral interventions and ultimately client outcomes. Behavior analysts primarily rely on visual inspection to interpret FA results. However, the literature suggests interpretations may vary across raters resulting in poor interobserver agreement (IOA). To increase interpretation objectivity and address IOA issues, Hagopian et al. created visual-inspection criteria. They reported improved IOA, alongside criteria limitations. Following this, Roane et al. modified these criteria. The current project describes the first steps toward developing a decision support system to assist in FA interpretation. Specifically, we created a computer script, written in R, designed to evaluate FA data and produce an outcome (assign function) based on the Roane et al. criteria. Average agreement between experienced human raters and the computer script outcomes was 81%. We discuss criteria limitations (e.g., vague rules), study implications, and the significance of further research on this topic. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Behavior Decision Making Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Decision Support Systems Decision Making Functional Analysis Humans Intervention Visual Inspection
• ISSN:
  0145-4455
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OD - Office of the Director
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  147-177
• Volume:
  46
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20061502
• Citation:
  Behav Modif 2022 Jan; 46(1):147-177
• Contact Point Address:
  Alison Cox, Department of Applied Disability Studies, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
• Email:
  acox@brocku.ca
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Behavior Modification
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b8e72f6b45af4822b9859f9db7e7772eff87df55b2c46ad43ccadbc3ec0094ccf8419ddcf70ed9d2524225e28848a8beb400f2df6e91bd25604931f97e5a7835
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225017/cdc_225017_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 681.39 KB ]