Graphing and Analyzing Behavioral Data
Introduction
Behavior change is a dynamic and ongoing process. Behavior analysts document and analyze repeated measures of behavior change over time. Graphing behavioral data allows behavior analysts to visually analyze the data and answer questions related to the meaningfulness of behavior change.
There are several benefits of graphic displays and visual analysis. Plotting data immediately following an observation period provides an ongoing and progressive record of behavior. In addition, visual analysis of behavioral data is relatively easy to learn, can require minimal time, and does not rely on statistical assumptions. Graphic displays of behavioral data allow behavior analysts to make interpretations based on patterns of behavior over time.