Evaluating How Augmental Rule Can Increase Staff Data Collection With Adults With Disabilities

Author

Ashlee Mae Herbold, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

8-1-2016

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Behavior Analysis and Therapy

First Advisor

Dixon, Mark

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine if utilizing augmental rules would increase the staff data collection for adults with disabilities. Augmental rule statements that indicated the importance of data collection were strategically placed throughout each of three residential facilities in a multiple-baseline across agencies experimental arrangement. Baseline data of staff data collection was collected across three residential homes for two weeks. There were nineteen clients throughout the three homes. The clients' ages ranged from twenty-one through sixty years of age. Staff were responsible for the collection of the data on the clients’ programs. The staff that worked at the residential facilities varied; however, the number of staff ranged from one to two per shift. Three signs were placed in each home a week and day apart from each other. After the signs were posted, data were collected throughout the following month to see if there was an increase in staff data collection. The results showed staff at house one continued to increase data collection for the time the signs were posted. Staff at house two increased in data collection; however, a decreasing trend was observed at the end of the study. At house three, data collection increased by the staff after ten days of the signs being posted in the home. Ten days before the study was completed staff collected no data; however, staff began to increase data collection five days before the study was completed.