Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Online Tutorial
	Module 4: Data Collection Importance of Data Collection Data collection is a vital component of any educational program for individuals with autism, whether it is school-based or home-based. It is important to take data about current levels of skills or behavior before beginning any new intervention strategy. This is called baseline data, and it is used to compare current skill levels with data taken during and after the intervention. This helps us know that the child is making progress compared to where he or she started. It is also important to take data during the time you are teaching. For example, if your data show that a student is not making steady progress an objective over time, it may be necessary to re-evaluate the strategy for that objective. Keeping an eye on the data helps parents and teachers notice when this is happening. Data Collection Video Example: Video created by Behavior Frontiers: ABA Training and Treatment Note: Discrete trial teaching (DTT) will be covered in more detail later in this tutorial. In taking DTT data, we often record if a child's response to a question or instruction was correct, incorrect, or prompted in some way. You can view examples of DTT data sheets here. On the DTT data sheet, each box represents one opportunity to respond. Data collection also helps measure the effects of an intervention. If data were not collected, we would just be relying on our impressions of changes in the student’s skills or behavior. Data shows if a change, even a small change, is occurring. It also prevents the continuation of an intervention if it is not helping the student. Using our previous example, if we are attempting an intervention to reduce tantrums, tracking data on tantrum incidents will help guide our intervention. Next --> Types of Data