Kaplan University Psychology / Organizational Behavior Management PS430: Program Design and Evaluation Unit 7 Assignment Use qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate the effectiveness of behavior analytic programs. You have another Assignment in your role as an intern at Acme Behavior Consultation. Pathways is an alternative high school. Pathways allows students with behavior challenges to complete their high school experience with a more flexible and positive approach. Their mission is to create an environment that allows students to consistently exceed expectations, maintain high levels of student and family satisfaction, and meet cost effectiveness standards. They strive to provide the highest education possible to students from a variety of communities and cultural backgrounds. Acme, Inc., assisted Pathways with the creation of individual behavior intervention plans (BIP) for students displaying high levels of inappropriate behaviors. In addition, ACME used a behaviorally based training procedure to train all staff on the basics of ABA and how to implement each BIP. A behavior management division headed by a full time behavior specialist at the school is responsible for implementing the plans that were originally created in collaboration with Pathways’ staff. In addition, Acme is responsible for ongoing staff training and monitoring the effectiveness of each plan. You are asked to do a follow up to determine the success of the procedures that were put in place. In addition, you were asked to conduct some Inter-observer Agreement(IOA) probes and determine whether the staff has maintained the skills taught during training. You are provided with a variety of data to analyze and will need to use the data to determine the effectiveness of the current interventions. The behavior specialist has been collecting and compiling data and presents them in the figures that are located in the Doc Sharing area of the course titled Unit 7 Assignment Figures. Below is a list of the figures contained in the Document: Figure 1: Summary of comments from staff questionnaires related to the success of the intervention and satisfaction with training. Figure 2: Line graph of the frequency of aggressive behaviors incidents for the entire school reported before(Baseline) and after (Treatment) the program began Figure 3: Frequency data from an observation session with two different teachers and one student’s behavior. Figure 3 reflects the frequency of physical aggression during the sessions. Figure 4: Data from Staff Integrity Checklist. You must now review the data and present a summary of your findings to your supervisor at ACME, Inc., as well as the school. You should include the following in your summary: 1.          For all Figures: a.         Determine the purpose and importance of the data above by discussing how it can be used in the program evaluation process. Discuss the importance of data collection and analysis in program design and evaluation. b.         Identify the data collected as either “quantitative” or “qualitative.” Discuss whether the type of data is appropriate for the context of the evaluation. 2.          For Figure 1: a.         Discuss the overall purpose of this data and how it should be used in analyzing the effectiveness of the program. b.         Using the data contained in this figure, discuss the implications with regard to the effectiveness of the program. 3.          For Figure 2: a.         Use visual analysis and discuss the level, trend, and variability of the challenging behavior incidents reported during baseline (before) and treatment (after the intervention). b.         Using the data, describe the effect that the intervention had on the frequency of behavior incidents within Pathways. c.         Considering the level of data, as well as any trends in the data, discuss the effectiveness of the program. 4.          For Figure 3: a.         Calculate the total frequency of physical aggression for each observer. b.         Using the total count method of IOA, calculate the percentage of Inter-observer Agreement. c.         Discuss the result of IOA. 1.       Is the IOA percentage within the acceptable range? 2.       Discuss what changes should be considered in relation to increase the IOA percentage. If changes are not necessary, discuss what factors contribute to high percentage of Inter-observer agreement. d.         Discuss how IOA measures can be used to assist with determining the effectiveness of the program. 5.          For Figure 4: a.         Calculate the percent correct results of the treatment integrity checklist before intervention, one day after intervention, and at the 3-month follow up. ·              This is the total factors with a “Yes” out of the total number of factors, multiplied by 100. b.         Relate these treatment integrity measures to the effectiveness of the program. c.         Discuss the importance of treatment integrity in relation to the success of behavior management programs. Your paper should be a minimum of 4–5 pages in length, include proper APA formatting (including properly formatted headings for each section of your plan), and include at least two academic references (including your course readings). Your Assignment should include: ·                   Title Page ·                   Reference Page ·                   Main body of the paper (3–4 pages) ·                   Properly formatted headings for each section of your plan ·                   At least two academic references (including your course text) ·                   Correct APA Style formatting for in-paper cites   Assignment Rubric:   Grading Criteria PointsPossiblePointsEarnedContent  Clearly explains the general purpose of each of the 3 sets of data presented and how each set of data can be used in the program evaluation process.Correctly identifies the type of data collected for all figures as either quantitative or qualitative. Contains no misunderstandings0-25 Appropriately uses data presented for the program planning and evaluation process by including the following analysis: For Figure 1: Discusses purpose of the data and what the data indicates in relation to the effectiveness of the program.  Contains no misunderstandings or miscalculations0-10 For Figure 2: Discuss the level, trend, and variability of the challenging behavior incidents reported during baseline (before) and treatment (after the program began). Correctly Describes the effect of the intervention on the frequency behavior incidents. Contains no misunderstandings or miscalculations0-15 For Figure 3: Correctly indicates the total frequency of physical aggression for each observer. Correctly calculate IOA and identifies if it is in the acceptable range. Discusses the importance of IOA to determining program Contains no misunderstandings or miscalculations0-20 For Figure 4: Correctly calculates the percent correct results of the treatment integrity checklist before intervention,1 day after intervention, and at the 3-month follow up. Contains no misunderstandings or miscalculations0-20 Writing  Structure:Paper includes a title page, introduction with thesis statement, conclusion, and in-text citations and reference page using APA style.Paper is appropriate in length (body of the paper should be a minimum of 4 pages, not including the title page or reference page).Paper includes reference to the text book and at least 1 other academic source.0-10 Mechanics:Paper uses Standard American English including correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and complete sentences and paragraphs.Paper is free of typographical errors.Paper includes a highly developed viewpoint and purpose.Paper demonstrates superior organization; communication is highly ordered, logical and unified.0-10 Total110 An explanation of the points earned, as well as where the assignment could be strengthened will be included with your grade.      Attached Documents:   Assignment.docx  -  A copy of these assignment instructions.   Unit7_Assignment Excel Figures.xlsx  - Contains the four figures of data to be used for this assignment. Note the tabs on the bottom of the Excel document for Figure 1, Figure 2, and so on.   Interobserver_Agreement.pdf  -   Morgan, D. L., & Morgan, R. K. (2009). Interobserver agreement. In Single-case Research Methods for the Behavioral and Health Sciences. [62–67} Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications, Inc.   Evidence_Based_Staff_Training.pdf  -  Parsons, M. B., Rollyson, J. H., & Reid, D. H. (2012). Evidence-based staff training: a guide for practitioners. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 5(2), 2–11.     chapter_5.docx   -   Redmon, W. K. (2001). Handbook of Organizational Performance. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from https://kaplan.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781136389993/     Attachments:  assignment.docx chapter_5.docx evidence_based_staff_training.pdf interobserver_agreement.pdf unit7_assignment_excel_figures.xlsx

Option #1: Data Analytics and ExcelReference the Excel file containing financial information from footnote disclosures and substantive analytical procedures using data analytics from your instructor.PharmaCorp will be used as the main analytical procedure tasks you will want to focus on for this assignment. The other companies, Novartell and AstraZoro, will be used as industry comparisons.The opportunity exists in this case to perform planning and substantive analytical procedures for accounts in the revenue cycle. You may assume that the 2015 financial information is unaudited, but the information from 2014 has been audited. Consider the following trends and characteristics of the pharmaceutical industry and for PharmaCorp in particular as you work on this case:Following many years of dominant financial performance by companies in the United States, Europe and Canada, increased competition is arising from organizations in emerging economies such as Brazil, India, and China.Significant uncertainty exists in the industry due to regulation covering health-care and government reimbursements related to certain procedures and prescribed pharmaceuticals.Policy makers in the industry and governments increasingly:Mandate necessary prescripts for patientsFocus on prevention instead of treatment regimes, thereby leading to changes in demand for some productsAnticipated growth in the industry is expected to be 5% to 7% in 2016 compared with 4% to 5% in the prior year as stated by leading industry analysts.Pharmacorp started and executed a significant cost reduction initiative aimed at improving efficiency, reducing research and development costs, and eliminating corporate overhead in 2014.PharmaCorp’s credit policies has remained the same over the past several years. Their credit policies are considered stringent in their industry, and they have been criticized on occasion for these policies in relation to their competitors.Two of the companies most popular pharmaceuticals, Sistosis and Vigarvox, are no longer patented as of the last quarter of 2015 and are now facing competition from generic alternatives.Required:Part I: Planning Analytical ProceduresStep 1: Identify Proper Analytical Procedures. The senior auditor suggests you should use these ratios (on the financial statement level) for planning the analytical procedures as part of the revenue cycle at the company:Gross margin: (revenues-cost of sales)/revenuesTurnover of receivables: (revenues/average accounts receivable); use the ending accounts receivableReceivables as a percentage of current assets: (accounts receivable/total current assets)Receivables as a percentage of total assets: (accounts receivable/total assets)Allowance for uncollectible accounts as a percentage of accounts receivable: (allowance/accounts receivable)Identify other relationships or trends that are relevant as part of the planning analytics. Discuss your reasons for your choices.Step 2: Evaluate the Data Reliability When Developing Expectations. The data you will use to develop expectations in the revenue cycle has been deemed reliable by the audit staff.Discuss the likely factors the audit team will consider when making this determination.Step 3: Develop expectations for accounts in the revenue cycle and for the ratios from Step # 1 that you deem as relevant. Since this is a planning analytical procedure, the expectations are not set at a high a high level of precision. Indicate if you expect a ratio to rise, fall, or remain the same, and explain the level of any anticipated rises or falls, or the range of the ratio. Pharma Corp’s financial information is in the first tab of the Excel worksheet, while the information for Novartell and AstraZoro is available in the last two tabs of the file.Consider both historical trends of Pharmcorp and the industry on the whole.Step 4 and Step 5: Define and Identify Substantial Unanticipated Variances. Refer to the text for guidance on materiality.Apply those guidelines to Step 4 of planning the analytical procedures as part of the revenue cycle for Pharmacorp. Define the meaning of a significant difference. Discuss your reasons for these choices. Discuss the qualitative materiality considerations in relation to this case.Once you have determined the levels of difference you would consider noteworthy, calculate the Step 1 ratios (and any additional trend or ration analysis you deemed necessary), based on Pharmacorp’s financial statement figures. Identify the ratios where you expect a significant difference.Step 6 and Step 7: Investigate Substantial Unanticipated Variances and Ensure Appropriate Documentation.Discuss the accounts or relationships you feel should be investigated further using substantive audit procedures. Discuss your reasons for these choices.Describe the information that should be a part of the auditor’s report or files.Part II: Substantive Analytical Procedures You will see three tabs in the Excel file that should be reviewed: the Pharmacorp Segment Information, Pharmacorp’s Geographic Information, and Pharmacorp’s Other Revenue Information. These tabs display excerpts from Pharma Corp’s footnote disclosures regarding segment, geographic, and other revenue information. Examine these disclosures and discuss the operating segments and geographic regions where the company does business.Which operating segments generate the most revenue for the company and may be considered the most important? Which regions are the most important to the organization from geographic standpoint? List the three most important products manufactured by Pharmacorp? Discuss any trends you notice in relation to revenue generation for each of these different categories.Explain the different types of ratio analysis that could be conducted in substantive analytical procedures using the data from the segment, geographic, and other revenue information. An example would be the R&D expenses as a percentage of revenues. How would these substantive analytics be different from the planning analytics? Discuss the trends and relationships that are relevant, and what are the implications in relation to further substantive testing?Your written response paper should be 8-10 pages in length. It should be completed in Word and Excel. The Word portions should follow the APA format, according to CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Include a title page and reference page. Use four (4) outside academic sources other than the textbook, course materials, or other information provided as part of the course materials.

There comes a time as an instructor when you must face criticism from a frustrated student. Rather than responding defensively, it is often more helpful to try understanding the student’s underlying issues. How might self-efficacy influence the student’s issues? How might your response affect the student's level of self-efficacy? For this Assignment, review this week’s Learning Resources. Then read the message posted by Jamie, a "student" in your online introductory psychology class (you have not heard from her previously on this issue). Consider how you might respond to Jamie in order to improve her level of self-efficacy. Finally, think about how theories of self-efficacy might support your approach.  Jamie: I am so confused by this class. I read and reread the assignments, but I just don’t get it. I really don’t think the instructor likes me, (he or she) just isn’t giving clear instructions, and the book is so hard. Does anyone else feel this way? 3 pages, APA format where appropriate)  Submit your response to Jamie’s post. Your document should include the following parts: Jamie’s original post A response to Jamie’s post that may positively impact Jamie’s self-efficacy An explanation of how you think your response might increase Jamie’s self-efficacy; apply self-efficacy theory to support your explanation