Procedural fidelity is the extent to which independent variables are implemented as designed. Despite 40 years of discussion about the importance of procedural fidelity for behavioral research, reporting of fidelity data remains an uncommon practice in behavior-analytic journals. Researchers have speculated about reasons for underreporting, but the perspectives of scholars about when reporting is warranted or necessary have not yet been explored. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate possible reasons for infrequent reporting of fidelity data in behavior-analytic studies. To address this purpose, we conducted focus groups with scholars in applied behavior analysis. Five themes emerged regarding why procedural fidelity data are not typically reported. We provide a discussion about how these themes are interrelated and offer suggestions and recommendations to assist with the collection and reporting of fidelity data.
Evaluating the fidelity of service practices to system-of-care principles (SOC) represents a challenge in the human service field. The inadequate infusion of SOC principles into direct services could limit the usefulness of this approach. In this study we compare practice-level variables between well-developed SOC and traditional service systems and test the hypothesis that the adoption of SOC principles at the organizational level was associated with greater implementation of SOC at the practice level. Sites implementing SOC for at least 5 years are compared to sites providing mental health services using a traditional service delivery model. The study administered the SOC Practice Review (SOCPR) protocol. The SOCPR represents a case study approach that employs interviews and document reviews to arrive at ratings of SOC principles.This methodology proved to be an effective tool in interpreting the meaning of child and family experiences that emerged from the SOC.The findings were generally significant and support the hypothesis. Overall, SOC sites scored significantly higher (p < .05) than non-SOC sites in the child-centered and family-focused, community-based, and cultural competence domains.The implication is that SOC principles can be tested at the level of practice.
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