Guidelines for Lab Project #6: Behavior Change Project
You will choose a behavior of your own that you would like to change (either increase or decrease). You will be required to define the behavior, develop an observation system, and record the behavior. You will be required to develop a behavior change intervention and implement that intervention and measure change. In a final report you will describe the behavior you chose, how you defined the behavior, how you measured the behavior, a description of the intervention you implemented, and a graphical representation of the behavior change (i.e., during baseline and intervention).
- State the behavior you are targeting to change: One sentence which names the behavior you plan on targeting (e.g., “I want to decrease the number of cigarettes I smoke each day.”).
- Operationally define the behavior:Define your behavior in observable terms; make sure your definition is clear and unambiguous, and be sure to include what counts as an instance of the behavior.
- Describe the measurement system you will use: Are you taking data on the frequency of the behavior, the duration, the magnitude, the latency, etc.? Make sure that the measurement system you decide to use is appropriate for the behavior you are targeting.
- Describe how you are going to record the behavior: How are you going to keep track of the behavior? For example, if you’re taking data on the frequency of the behavior, will you use a golf counter or will you make a tally mark in a notebook each time the behavior occurs?
- Describe the intervention: Be able to explain why you chose your intervention (the intervention you choose should be appropriate for the behavior you are targeting to change), and provide a detailed description of your intervention.
- Provide a graphical representation of your data across baseline and intervention using Microsoft Excel: You should include all 6 components of a graph (the y-axis and x-axis; the labels for the y-axis and x-axis; the numbers on the y-axis and x-axis; data points; phase lines; and phase labels).
Note: You should have at least 3 baseline data points, so I suggest completing baseline the week of the 19th so that you have sufficient time to evaluate your intervention before the assignment is due.
*Due December 12, in class.
This assignment will be worth 25 points:
- State the behavior – 1 point
- Operationally define the behavior – 3 points
- Describe the measurement system you used – 1 points
- Describe how you recorded the behavior – 1 points
- Explain why you chose your intervention – 4 points
- Provide a detailed description of your intervention – 5 points
- Describe what you found – 5 points
- Provide a graphical representation of your data across baseline and intervention – 5 points