Short Answer

In the provided ABAB reversal design example, the dependent variable is operationalized as the percentage of time spent studying. Suggest an alternative, objective operational definition for this dependent variable that a researcher could use to measure the student's study behavior, and explain how it would be measured across the baseline and treatment phases.

Question: In the provided ABAB reversal design example, the dependent variable is operationalized as the percentage of time spent studying. Suggest an alternative, objective operational definition for this dependent variable that a researcher could use to measure the student's study behavior, and explain how it would be measured across the baseline and treatment phases.

Sample answer: An alternative operational definition is the number of math practice problems completed by the student per hour. A researcher would measure this by counting the completed problems at the end of each daily session during both the baseline (no treatment) and treatment phases.

Key points:

  • Provide a concrete, alternative operational definition for studying behavior.
  • Explain how this variable would be quantitatively measured.
  • Indicate that the measurement would be applied consistently across baseline and treatment phases.

Rubric: The answer must propose an objective, quantifiable alternative operational definition for studying behavior (e.g., number of pages read, math problems completed, or minutes of on-task behavior) and explain that this metric would be measured consistently across both baseline and treatment phases.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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