A decade later: Creating single-subject design graphs with Microsoft Excel 2007™.

Abstract

In Carr and Burkholder's article (1998), they utilized the graphing guidelines recommended in the manuscript preparation checklist in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, however, the most recent recommendations (2000) do not include all of the guidelines mentioned in the first article. Those which are included: Data points do not connect across experimental phase and the y-axis zero value is raised off the abscissa. Absent from the newer recommendations is the criteria that data points do not quite touch the lines between them. Its removal as a criterion indicates that it is no longer a requirement, and as such will be addressed, but indicated as optional, according to the 2000 guidelines. As Carr and Burkholder indicated, the utilization of a spreadsheet to enter, gather, and analyze data will prevent redundant data entry and save time on the part of the behavior analyst. In addition, Excel[TM] appears to be a widely accepted spreadsheet program. In the tradition that Carr and Burkholder began, this tutorial will provide very detailed and easy to follow instructions on how to graph reversal, multi-element, and multiple baseline designs; however, as in the 1998 article, rudimentary understanding of spreadsheet programs is necessary prior to starting. In this tutorial, there will be no need to prepare the toolbar as all instructions will be utilizing default settings of Excel 2007[TM]. Each action step will be followed by a sequence of keyboard shortcuts to illustrate and simplify implementation of the instruction for that step. The keyboard shortcuts consist of the names of the keys in brackets []. Two keys connected by a plus sign within the same bracket indicate that the initial key should be depressed while pressing the second key (e.g., [ALT+T] indicates that one should hold down the Alt button and press the T button). Two bracketed buttons joined by a dash should be pressed in succession (e.g., [ALT+T]-[T]-[P] would indicate that you should hold down the ALT key and press the T key. After releasing these, you should press the T key again, and then press the P key. Anything in braces (e.g.,{Axis Title}) indicate that you should input text. Thus, if you encounter [ALT]-[T]-{Name}-[ENTER], you should press ALT, then press T, then type in the name, then press the ENTER key. When you encounter a word written in all capital letters, that indicates that this is the name of a button, text, or icon you should click or press. CREATING A REVERSAL DESIGN GRAPH Entering Data into the Spreadsheet Data will be staggered across columns by phases. This will provide a means to prevent data connection across phases (without having to manually do this phase by phase). In addition, it will allow the use of Excel Functions individually per phase to create trend lines. Once you have Excel 2007[TM] open, complete the following steps to enter your data. 1. Enter the data for the first phase (e.g., Baseline1) in the first column and click on the cell in the following row. Repeat until all data for this phase has been entered. {data}-[ENTER] 2. For each new phase (such as intervention, intervention 2, return to baseline, etc.), enter the data on the next row and in the column to the right of the previous column. Repeat for each phase. [[right arrow]]-{data}. Creating the Graph 1. Once all the data has been entered, drag your mouse pointer from the top left cell to the very bottom and right of the data series just entered. 2. Click the INSERT tab on the Ribbon, then the LINE graph icon (8th icon to the right). [ALT]-[I]-[H] 3. A menu of different types of charts will appear. Click on the LINE WITH MARKERS (hover over each picture of graph and it will display the type). [L]-[ENTER] 4. A new graph will appear on the same sheet as the data as well as a new part of the ribbon labeled "CHART TOOLS". …