What does baseline refer to in behavior analysis?

Baseline in behavior analysis refers to the measurement of the rate, duration, or latency of a specific behavior prior to any intervention or manipulation. This initial data serves as a reference point against which the effects of the intervention can be compared. By establishing a clear baseline, practitioners can assess whether their interventions lead to increases or decreases in the target behavior. This measure is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of behavior modification techniques and determining if the desired outcomes are achieved.

The other choices refer to different aspects of behavioral research or experimentation, which do not accurately define baseline. For instance, the expected outcome of a behavior modification plan describes what the practitioner hopes to achieve after the intervention, which is not related to the baseline itself. The initial response measure during a study could imply the data collected right at the beginning of an experiment but does not specifically align with the definition of baseline, as it may not encompass the ongoing behaviors or their measurements over time. Lastly, the control condition in an experiment refers to the group or period where no experimental manipulation occurs to compare the effects of the experimental intervention, which again is a distinct concept from baseline.