Reversal Designsย is an experimental design used to measure the effect of an intervention by observing changes inย behaviorย across at least three phases: aย baselineย phase (A), an intervention or experimental phase (B), and a return toย baselineย phase (A). The purpose of the design is to demonstrate a functional relationship between the intervention and theย behavior.
Example
A teacher wants to test the effectiveness of a token reinforcement system on reducing disruptive classroomย behavior. During theย baselineย phase (A), the teacher observes and records theย frequencyย of disruptiveย behaviorย without any intervention. During theย intervention phase (B), the teacher implements the token system, and disruptive behaviors decrease. In theย return toย baselineย phase (A), the teacher removes the token system, and the disruptive behaviors increase again. This ABA design helps demonstrate the impact of the token system on the studentโsย behavior.