A descriptive or direct assessment is sometimes included in the FBA. Conducting the descriptive assessment requires you to observe the target behaviors and measure baseline data of the behaviors. A behavior is effective and relevant if it can mediate changes in the environment. Evaluating the stimulus changes co-occurring with the behavior can help us hypothesize the functional reinforcers that are influencing them.

Instruction Describe the scientific rigor(s) exemplified by conducting the descriptive assessment. Describe the benefits and limitations of conducting a descriptive assessment. Provide an operational definition of the concerning behavior. Quantify the target behavior observed in the five observation periods by using a line graph to display the data. Be sure to construct an APA compliant graph. Describe the trend of the data path. Complete the contingency diagrams. Complete the ABC-QA for attention, tangible, and demand. Display the results of the ABC-QA by using a bar graph. Provide an interpretation of the bar graph and conclude the hypothesized function(s) influencing the target behavior. Summarize the compassionate and/or cultural variables one should consider when conducting a descriptive assessment. Be sure to use supporting evidence such as journal articles and/or the Capella Compassion Code. Be sure to complete the self-assessment grading rubric included in the template.