Graduate Program

School Psychology

Degree Name

Specialist in School Psychology

Semester of Degree Completion

2004

Thesis Director

Gary L. Cates

Abstract

Many students exhibit behavior problems in the classroom that can negatively affect academic performance and social/emotional functioning if not identified and appropriately accommodated (Sugai, Lewis-Palmer, and Hagan, 1998; Scott, DeSimone, Fowler, and Webb, 2000). In order to combat the increasing number of students with behavior problems, an efficient means of assessing and treating problem behavior is warranted (Nelson and Johnson, 1996). Traditional observation methods are limited in the number of behaviors recordable and elaborateness of data analysis (Sharpe and Koperwas, 2001), and do not lend themselves to direct treatment development (Nelson, Roberts, Bullis, Albers, and Ohland, n.d.). Computer-based data collection programs were developed to allow for the recording of multiple behaviors and immediate elaborative, extensive analysis of observational data (Sharpe and Koperwas, 2001), and lead to greater treatment efficacy and increased capability to treat problem behavior. The purpose of the current study is to replicate and extend functional assessment research by using computer software to determine the extent to which the program helps facilitate the collection of observation data, the extent to which the program aids in the development of hypotheses with regard to behavioral function, and the extent to which the program is used to develop and evaluated behavioral interventions.

Download

Share

COinS