JEAB Research Over Time: Species Used, Experimental Designs, Statistical Analyses, and Sex of Subjects

Abstract

We examined the species used as subjects in every article published in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB) from 1958 through 2013. We also determined the sex of subjects in every article with human subjects (N=524) and in an equal number of randomly selected articles with nonhuman subjects, as well as the general type of experimental designs used. Finally, the percentage of articles reporting an inferential statistic was determined at 5-year intervals. In all, 35,317 subjects were studied in 3,084 articles; pigeons ranked first and humans second in number used. Within-subject experimental designs were more popular than between-subjects designs regardless of whether human or nonhuman subjects were studied but were used in a higher percentage of articles with nonhumans (75.4 %) than in articles with humans (68.2 %). The percentage of articles reporting an inferential statistic has increased over time, and more than half of the articles published in 2005 and 2010 reported one. Researchers who publish in JEAB frequently depart from Skinner's preferred research strategy, but it is not clear whether such departures are harmful. Finally, the sex of subjects was not reported in a sizable percentage of articles with both human and nonhuman subjects. This is an unfortunate oversight.

Randomization tests as alternative analysis methods for behavior‐analytic data

“…Zimmermann and colleagues' () findings demonstrate that inferential statistics have become common components of data analysis in behavior‐analytic research. Whether this shift toward embracing statistical methods is a good thing or a bad thing for the science is up to debate (for contrasting views, interested readers may see, e.g., Branch, ; ; Hopkins, Cole, & Mason, ; Huitema, ; Kratochwill & Levin, ; Michael, ; Shadish, Hedges, & Pustejovsky, ).…”

“…For example, though within‐subject designs remain the most popular study design in experimental and applied analyses of behavior, between‐subjects and mixed designs are becoming more common (see, e.g., Kyonka, in press; Zimmermann et al, ). On the one hand, these latter designs offer researchers the ability to study behavioral outcomes that may be affected by repeated testing (e.g., extinction learning or relapse of previously eliminated behavior; see Baum, ; Lieving & Lattal, ; Sweeney & Shahan, ; Wacker et al, ) or that are not reversible within subjects (e.g., acquisition of novel skills; see Roane, Ringdahl, Kelley, & Glover, ).…”

Induced Aggression in Jeab: A Survey of Publications

“…Figures 2-4). In JEAB, the tendency of early research to emphasize mostly in nonhuman subjects and of late experiments to focus mostly in humans was reported (Zimmermann et al, 2015).…”

“…Literature surveys (e.g., Lyon, Picker, & Poling, 1985;Zimmermann, Watkins, & Poling, 2015) may serve to help the behavior-analytic community to acknowledge patterns and trends in their own research activity, fostering the identification of aspects that need improvement, such as overlooked areas of basic research, and/or neglected potentials of translational research, for example.…”

JEAB: Past, present, and future

“…Zimmerman, Watkins and Poling (2015) noted that rats and pigeons were the predominant subjects in JEAB's early years, with humans, nonhuman primates, and a scattering of other species represented much less often. Zimmerman, Watkins and Poling (2015) noted that rats and pigeons were the predominant subjects in JEAB's early years, with humans, nonhuman primates, and a scattering of other species represented much less often.…”