Unit 2

Your original response should be at least 350 words and should reflect the fact that you have completed the assigned readings for the week. Remember, this is your chance to illustrate not only your understanding, but also your mastery of the materials for the unit. Use your words wisely so the posting has substance and includes examples and explanations. Limit the use of direct quotes and do your best to critically synthesize and evaluate the literature in your own words wherever possible. Make sure to include in-text citations and a reference list as appropriate.

Reliability in behavioral assessment is derived through the calculation of interobserver agreement. Describe how interobserver agreement can be impacted by such issues as reactivity, observer drift, observer bias, complexity of response codes, and expectancy bias. End your post with a description of methods for calculating interobserver agreement and the various issues associated with the calculation methods.

Reading for the assignment

In this unit you will read Chapter 5 (pp. 102–124) of the Cooper, Heron, and Heward (2007) text.

In addition to the chapters in your text, please read the following articles located in the library:

Kazdin, A. E. (1977). Artifact, bias, and complexity of assessment: The ABCs of reliability. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 141–150.

Watkins, M. W., & Pacheco, M. (2001). Interobserver agreement in behavioral research: Importance and calculation. Journal of Behavioral Education, 10, 205–212.

Wirth, O., Slaven, J., & Taylor, M. A. (2014). Interval sampling methods and measurement error: A computer simulation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 83–100.