In Vivo Assessment: Issues of Real-Time Data

Abstract

One of the fundamental elements of functional assessment for challenging behaviors is the collection of data. Data are used to help determine the nature of the problem, create a case formulation, carry out the functional assessment, and monitor the progress of interventions. All decisions made during the course of a functional assessment are based off of data. Most data collected during this process are collected in vivo. That is to say, most data are collected through real-time observations of individuals in their natural environment. The first step in data collection is to determine and define on what behavior data will be collected. In order for this to be done, an accurate, operational definition must be established for the behavior For the purposes of in vivo data collection, the behavior must be defined in clearly observable terms. Hawkins and Dobes suggest three characteristics of a well-formed operational definition; (1) the definition should include objective terms and refer only to observable characteristics of the behavior; (2) the definition should be unambiguous and clear to experienced observers; and (3) the definition should be complete, defining what should be included and what should be excluded, thereby reducing inference on the part of the observer. After defining the target behavior, the next step is to determine how data will be collected. There are many ways of classifying data collection techniques. Two primary categories of in vivo data collection procedures will be discussed in this chapter: event recording and time sampling. There are a number of methods of collecting data within each of these categories, each of which will be discussed along with associated problems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)