research-proposal-writing

name	research-proposal-writing
description	Use when writing research proposals for behavior analytic studies including single-subject design justification, IRB applications, operational definitions, and analysis plans.

Research Proposal Writing for ABA

A strong research proposal demonstrates that the proposed study is significant, methodologically sound, and ethically responsible. This skill covers the components of a behavior analytic research proposal with emphasis on single-subject design methodology.

Proposal Structure

1. Introduction

Statement of the Problem

• What is the clinical or applied issue that motivates this research?
• Why does it matter? Cite prevalence data, clinical impact, and cost implications.
• Keep it focused: one paragraph establishing the real-world significance.

Literature Review

• What does the existing research tell us about this topic?
• Identify the specific gap your study addresses.
• Organize thematically: what has been studied, what methods were used, what was found, and what remains unknown.
• End the literature review with a clear statement of how your study fills the identified gap.

Research Questions

• State specific, answerable research questions.
• For single-subject research, questions are typically about the functional relationship between the IV and DV.
• Example: "What is the effect of functional communication training on the frequency of aggression in children with autism during academic demand situations?"

Hypotheses (Optional in ABA)

• Single-subject research in the Skinnerian tradition often does not state formal hypotheses—the data speak for themselves.
• If required by your institution or funder, frame hypotheses as directional predictions based on existing literature.

2. Method

Participants

• Inclusion criteria: diagnosis, age, skill level, behavioral prerequisites.
• Exclusion criteria: conditions that would confound the study.
• Recruitment strategy: where and how participants will be recruited.
• Expected sample size: in single-subject research, justify based on design requirements (minimum 3 participants for multiple baseline).

Setting

• Describe the physical environment where the study will take place.
• Include dimensions, materials present, and staffing.
• If multiple settings are involved, describe each.

Materials

• Assessment instruments (standardized and study-specific).
• Intervention materials.
• Data collection tools (paper, electronic, video).
• Any technology or equipment.

Experimental Design

• Name the specific single-subject design and justify why it is appropriate for this study.
• Reversal: When the behavior is expected to be reversible and withdrawal is ethical.
• Multiple baseline: When reversal is impractical or the behavior is irreversible.
• Alternating treatments: When comparing two or more conditions.
• Changing criterion: When the behavior is shaped incrementally.
• Describe how the design addresses threats to internal validity.
• Reference design standards (Kratochwill et al., 2010; WWC).

Dependent Variables

• Operational definitions for each dependent variable.
• Include examples and non-examples.
• Specify the measurement system: event recording, duration, latency, interval, etc.
• Justify the selection of measurement based on the behavior's characteristics.

Independent Variables

• Detailed description of the intervention or experimental manipulation.
• Describe each component in enough detail for replication.
• If the IV has multiple components, describe each and its rationale.
• Specify the dosage: how often, how long, in what context.

Measurement

• Data collection procedures: who collects, when, how.
• IOA plan: Method, percentage of sessions to be assessed, criterion (≥80%).
• Treatment integrity plan: Checklist, percentage of sessions assessed, criterion.
• Training procedures for data collectors and interventionists.

Procedures

• Baseline: What conditions are in place? Duration criteria for stability.
• Intervention: Step-by-step implementation procedures.
• Phase change criteria: What decision rules govern moving between phases?
• Maintenance and generalization probes: Schedule and procedures.

3. Analysis Plan

Visual Analysis

• Describe the within-condition and between-condition features you will analyze.
• Reference Fisher et al. (2003) or similar frameworks.
• Specify criteria for determining a functional relationship (3 demonstrations of effect).

Supplementary Analyses

• Effect size calculations: PND, PEM, Tau-U.
• Social validity measures: consumer satisfaction surveys, clinical significance.
• Describe any planned quantitative analyses and their rationale.

4. Social Validity Plan

• How will you assess whether the goals, procedures, and outcomes are socially acceptable?
• Who will be asked: participants, caregivers, teachers, community members?
• When: before, during, and/or after the study?
• Instruments: questionnaires, interviews, rating scales.
• Reference Wolf (1978) on the three levels of social validity.

5. Ethical Considerations

• Informed consent procedures: who provides consent, what information is disclosed, how consent is documented.
• Assent procedures for minors or individuals with limited capacity.
• Risks: identify potential risks and how they will be mitigated.
• Benefits: direct benefits to participants and broader benefits to the field.
• Confidentiality: how data will be stored, who will have access, when data will be destroyed.
• Right to withdraw: participants can withdraw at any time without penalty.
• If using restrictive procedures, justify necessity and describe safeguards.

6. IRB Application Components

• Application form specific to your institution.
• Protocol narrative (often the methods section adapted for IRB format).
• Informed consent document(s).
• Assent document(s) if applicable.
• Recruitment materials (flyers, scripts).
• Data collection instruments.
• Evidence of researcher training (CITI certification, ethics training).
• Conflict of interest disclosure.

7. Timeline

• Provide a realistic timeline with milestones.
• Include: IRB approval, recruitment, baseline, intervention phases, data analysis, writing.
• Build in buffer time for recruitment challenges and IRB revisions.

8. References

• APA 7th edition format.
• Include all cited works.
• Prioritize primary sources over secondary citations.

Writing Compelling Significance Statements

• Ground the significance in real-world impact, not just "more research is needed."
• Use specific data: prevalence rates, cost of services, quality of life impact.
• Connect to the field's priorities: evidence-based practice, social significance, generalization.
• Example: "Approximately 25–35% of individuals with ASD exhibit aggressive behavior that limits community participation and places caregivers at risk of injury (Mazurek et al., 2013). Current evidence supports FCT as a first-line treatment, yet few studies have evaluated FCT implementation by caregivers in community settings without ongoing clinician support."

Justifying Design Selection

Design	Justify When...
A-B-A-B	Behavior is reversible; ethical to withdraw; strongest demonstration of control
Multiple baseline	Behavior is not reversible; withdrawal is unsafe; multiple participants/behaviors/settings available
Alternating treatments	Comparing two treatments; rapid alternation is feasible; minimal carryover expected
Changing criterion	Behavior is shaped gradually; natural criterion points exist

Key References

• Kratochwill, T. R., et al. (2010). Single-case designs technical documentation. What Works Clearinghouse.
• Fisher, W. W., Kelley, M. E., & Lomas, J. E. (2003). Visual aids and structured criteria for improving visual inspection and interpretation of single-case designs. JABA, 36, 387–406.
• Wolf, M. M. (1978). Social validity: The case for subjective measurement. JABA, 11, 203–214.
• Kazdin, A. E. (2010). Single-Case Research Designs (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.