Episode 3: Trends in Reporting Procedural Integrity | Behaviorist Book Club
Bonus Episode 3: Trends in Reporting Procedural Integrity – Practical Implications for Behavior Analysts
Episode Overview
In this episode, I break down Han et al.’s (2023) review of procedural integrity reporting across ABA journals and why fidelity should be your first troubleshooting step when treatment fails. You’ll also learn five low-effort strategies to make fidelity tracking part of your daily workflow.
Time-Stamped Outline
00:00 – Welcome and episode overview
01:00 – What is procedural integrity? Definitions and examples
02:30 – Commission vs. omission errors in applied settings
05:30 – Han et al. (2023): purpose, methodology, and findings
09:00 – Why fidelity is the first place to check when plans fail
11:30 – Five common barriers to fidelity data collection
16:00 – Five practical strategies to improve fidelity
What Is Procedural Integrity?
Procedural integrity (also called fidelity) is the extent to which an intervention is implemented as designed. Two main error types:
Commission Errors: Adding something not in the plan (e.g., giving attention during extinction).
Omission Errors: Leaving out a required step (e.g., forgetting to reinforce a functional communication response).
Both compromise treatment integrity, muddy data, and undermine client progress.
Fidelity reporting is increasing but still underreported, especially in multi-component interventions.
Commission and omission errors persist despite guidelines.
Practical takeaway: Focus on real-world fidelity, not journal trends.
Why Fidelity Errors Are Common
High caseloads and limited supervision time
Multiple implementers rotating through cases
Lack of practical tools for tracking fidelity
Cultural barriers to error reporting
Without fidelity data, you lose your foundation for treatment decisions.
Five Common Barriers to Tracking Fidelity
Fear of Correction: Hesitation to give real-time feedback.
Time Constraints: Competing supervisory demands push fidelity checks aside.
Technology Gaps: Missing templates or tracking systems.
Reluctance for Self-Reporting: Implementers avoid admitting mistakes.
Lack of Priority: Fidelity falls off the radar when everything “seems fine.”
Five Practical Fidelity Solutions
1. Flexible Fidelity Data Sheets: Create generic templates for quick use across clients.
2. Delegate & Normalize Error Reporting: Use team chats and share your own mistakes.
3. Quick Hand-Drawn Graphs: Sketch fidelity trends post-session and snap a photo.
4. Fidelity Talks in Every Supervision: Make fidelity a standing agenda item.
5. Suspect Fidelity First: Always check fidelity before rewriting plans or FA reruns.
Why This Matters
High procedural integrity ensures treatment effectiveness and ethical practice. Before adjusting interventions, confirm they’re implemented correctly—it saves time and improves outcomes.
