Training Staff to Create Equivalence-Based Instruction Materials in Qualtrics

• Published in: The Psychological record Vol. 72; no. 4; pp. 647 - 663
• Main Authors: Marano-Frezza, Kathleen E., Vladescu, Jason C., Reeve, Kenneth F., Sidener, Tina M., Cox, David J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied behavior analysis; Behavior Patterns; Behavior therapists; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Computers; Design; Employee training; Equipment and supplies; Equivalence; Independent study; Methods; Online education; Original; Original Article; Psychological Patterns; Psychology; Skills; Software; Task analysis; Teaching; Technology application; Trainers; Training; United States; Video modeling; Equivalence-based instruction; Staff training; Task analysis
• ISSN: 0033-2933; 2163-3452
• DOI: 10.1007/s40732-021-00497-4

Staff training is an important line of research to ensure that clinicians in the field of applied behavior analysis provide quality services. One approach to providing training involves the use of asynchronous training materials in which the trainer and trainee do not need to be physically present at the same time. This allows for training despite limited numbers of trainers or geographic restrictions. The purpose of this study was to train participants to create equivalence-based instruction (EBI) materials in Qualtrics, a commercial survey software package. In the first phase of the study, participants experienced a training package consisting of a video model and task analysis that described how to create EBI materials. Phase 2, evaluated whether the EBI materials created in Phase 1 led to equivalence-based responding. Results indicated that the training was effective for training staff and that staff found the training socially acceptable. Results also demonstrated that the EBI materials resulted in the learning of the trained and derived relations.