Give feedback related to the design given their research question. Is it the best design given the research question? Is it ethical? Describe how you see experimental control being demonstrated within their study.

The study is to examine the effect of positive reinforcement on response frequency. The teacher will provide verbal praise for all student responses. The independent variable is the positive reinforcement/teacher praise. The dependent variable is the response. The responses will be measured using frequency/count. To ensure internal validity an A-B-A-B reversal design will be used. Reversal design (A-B-A-B) will show that A causes B after multiple experiments which will ensure internal validity. During the A phase, baseline data is collected and there is no intervention (positive reinforcement). During the B phase, positive reinforcement is delivered for every response. There are criteria for designs to meet the design standards. The study is required to have an independent variable manipulated systematically by the researcher. Next, every outcome variable must be measured systematically over time by more than one assessor and a summary of interassessor for the variable must be based on at least 20% of the data points. Also, the study must include at least three different attempts to demonstrate an intervention effect at different points in time. Lastly, each phase must include at least three data points when attempting to demonstrate effect (Kratochwill et al., 2013). This study meets design standards. The target behavior (dependent variable) is clearly defined and the positive reinforcement (independent variable) is systematically manipulated by the researcher. Each outcome variable is measured systematically over time by both the behavioral health technician and the behavior analyst based on at least 20% of the data points. Using a reversal design allows for repeated attempts to demonstrate an intervention effect at different points in time and each phase includes more than three data points. Kratochwill, T. R., Hitchcock, J. H., Horner, R. H., Levin, J. R., Odom, S. L., Rindskopf, D. M., & Shadish, W. R. (2013). Single-case intervention research design standards. Remedial and Special Education, 34(1), 26 38. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932512452794