Toward an Understanding of Data Collection Integrity

Area of Science:

• Behavior Analysis
• Clinical Psychology
• Data Management

Background:

• Data collection is fundamental to behavior analysis, guiding clinical decisions.
• Data collection integrity (DCI) ensures data accuracy, and its compromise can lead to flawed interventions.
• Limited research exists on factors affecting DCI in behavior analytic practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate risk factors associated with data collection integrity issues.
• To identify interventions and strategies for enhancing DCI.
• To contribute empirical data to the under-researched area of DCI.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 232 Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Board-Certified Behavior Analysts-Doctoral (BCBA-Ds).
• Participants provided information on demographics, data collectors, data collection systems, training, and DCI strategies.
• Data were collected using Qualtrics™ survey platform.

Main Results:

• The study identified numerous potential risk factors that may compromise DCI in behavior analytic practice.
• Findings suggest that DCI issues may be more prevalent than previously understood.
• Specific areas of concern regarding data collection were highlighted by participants.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence of risk factors indicates a need for proactive DCI strategies.
• Recommendations are provided to mitigate DCI issues and improve data quality.
• Further research and practical applications are suggested to bolster DCI in behavior analysis.