Erica

The scientist-practitioner model of practice emphasizes the production of the utilization
of scientific research among psychologists (LeJeune & Luoma, 2015). Psychologists are thus
trained to not just utilize already existing knowledge but also produce it through scientific
research. Applied behavior analysis (ABA), on the other hand, is a scientific domain that is
focused on the experimental analysis of behavior through the use of techniques that are aimed at
solving socially important behavioral problems in social settings (Sham & Smith, 2014). There
exist commonalities between the scientist-practitioner model and applied behavior analysis. For
instance, in both, psychologists are able to assess the effectiveness of their own treatment
techniques. Psychologists are able to continually consider the effectiveness of existing research
and conclusions. They evaluate the effectiveness of their therapy, changes in a client, and client
difficulties without necessarily forcing research conclusions that do not fit the needs of
individual clients. This provides room for experimental analysis of behavior alongside the needs
of individual clients. If existing treatment plans do not effectively help meet the needs of a
certain client, then psychologists can always study their individual clients and come up with
techniques founded on research that are compatible with the needs of the client.
Further, in the scientist-practitioner model of practice, people’s action s or behavior
constitute events that can be termed as spatially-temporal. As with other naturally occurring
phenomena, behavior can be observed, measured, and even manipulated with the aim of testing
theories and conceptual frameworks that exist in the field of psychology. Consequently, in
applied behavior analysis, certain antecedents to problem behavior can be manipulated. The
independent variable in research is manipulated in a systematic manner, and the dependent
variable is measured (Sham & Smith, 2014). The independent variable can only be manipulated

if the researcher uses the experimental design. In their practice, psychologists can conduct
researches using the experimental research design. They then manipulate the independent
variable and measure the dependent variable. They are then able to ascertain the effectiveness of
the intervention or treatment plan on individual clients. Through actively engaging in the
production of research and utilization of research, psychologists improve their practice and
update their knowledge in their different areas of specialization. In applied behavior analysis, the
research methodology allows the behavior analyst to measure the effectiveness of the
interventions by manipulating the behavior of the client. They conduct research even as they
utilize already existing research conclusions.

References

LeJeune, J. T., & Luoma, J. B. (2015). The integrated scientist-practitioner: A new model for
combining research and clinical practice in fee-for-service settings. Professional
Psychology: Research and Practice, 46, 421–428.
Sham, E., & Smith, T. (2014). Publication bias in studies of an applied behavior-analytic
intervention: An initial analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47(3), 663-678.
doi:10.1002/jaba.146 Tincani, M. & Travers J.C. (2017). Publishing single-case research
design studies that do not demonstrate experimental control. Remedial and Special
Education, 39(2) 118-128. doi 10.1177/0741932517697447