Qualitative Prospectus Doctoral Presentation

PPT

1. Qualitative Prospectus Instructions for Learners General Instructions Additional Information for Completing Each Slide Use this template only if you have a Qualitative topic. This is a working document. You will work on and revise this PPT starting in year one of your program up through x-955. Instructions per Course Type: Research (RES) Courses: Refer to your course syllabus to determine which slides you should complete or revise. Residency (RSD) Courses & Dissertation: RSD-851 - complete slides in RSD1 section. RSD-883/881 & x-955 – revise/update slides from RSD1 and complete slides in RSD2 section. Requirements, hints, and alignment notes are found in the Speaker Notes section. To view speaker notes, click the “View” tab at the top of the application and select “notes.” Hint: You may need to expand the notes section in order to see all of the notes contained for each slide. To view comments/feedback from faculty, click the “review” tab at the top of the application and select “Show Comments.” DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

2. Instructions for Faculty General Instructions Additional Information Written feedback is to be provided via bubble comments. Comments can be created by holding Ctrl+M (for PC) or Command+Shift+M (Mac) on your keyboard, or via the Review tab. To access the Comment pane, click the “review” tab and select “Show comments.” The notes section in each slide contains the slide requirements. Feedback should be focused on helping the learner meet the slide requirements. See the supplementary faculty job aid materials for grading and other resources. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

3. Proposed Dissertation Topic Title Learner Name Course Instructor Submission Date DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

4. Alignment Table DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE   Problem Statement : It is not known why applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based intervention that helps children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), yet many parents remain unaware of its benefits and availability. Purpose Statement : The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the factors contributing to the lack of parental awareness about applied behavioral analysis (ABA) as an effective intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Phenomena The phenomenon of interest is the lack of awareness among parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) regarding applied behavioral analysis (ABA) as an effective intervention. Research Question(s): What are the perceptions of parents regarding applied behavioral analysis (ABA) as an intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? What factors influence the awareness and understanding of ABA among parents of children with ASD? Methodology & Justification : A qualitative methodology will be used to better understand the perceptions and experiences of parents about ABA. This approach is suitable because it is a complex issue where little is known, and we need to gain insights about participants’ perspectives. Design & Justification : A phenomenological design will be used to capture the lived experiences of parents of children with ASD regarding their awareness and understanding of ABA. This design is appropriate for examining the essence of shared experiences and identifying common themes.

5. Literature Review: Background to the Problem Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) was first recognized as an effective intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ABA) since the early 1980s Early research in the 1960s by Baer, Wolf, and Risley introduced the principles of ABA, laying the groundwork for its application to ASD. Lovaas (1987) highlighted improvements in children with ASD after ABA therapy ABA research has consistently demonstrated positive outcomes for children with ASD in areas such as communication, social skills, and behavior management ( Bordini et al., 2024). Recent studies have shifted towards understanding the barriers to access and awareness of ABA among different populations (Littman et al., 2023) DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

6. Literature Review: Problem Space Problem: The lack of parental awareness regarding Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) as an effective intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). What is Known: Research has established ABA as a highly effective intervention for improving communication, social skills, and behavioral issues in children with ASD ( Bordini et al., 2024) Numerous studies have shown positive long-term outcomes for children who receive early and intensive ABA therapy (Choi et al., 2023; Bordini et al., 2024) What Needs to be Studied: The factors contributing to the lack of awareness and understanding of ABA among parents of children with ASD. The role of socioeconomic status, educational background, and cultural factors in influencing parental awareness and access to ABA services (Dennison et al., 2019) The effectiveness of various dissemination strategies to increase parental awareness of ABA. Despite the proven effectiveness of ABA for children with ASD, many parents remain unaware of its benefits and availability. This gap in awareness may be influenced by various factors, including socioeconomic and educational disparities. Addressing this issue is critical to ensure that all children with ASD have access to effective interventions. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

7. Literature Review: Theoretical Foundations Diffusion of Innovations Theory Developed by Everett Rogers Explains how new ideas and technologies spread through cultures (Rogers, 1962) It identifies the stages of adoption and the factors that influence the rate of adoption (Rogers, 1962). Key Components Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Majority, Late Majority, Laggards: Categories of adopters based on their readiness to adopt new innovations. Innovation, Communication Channels, Time, Social System: The four main elements that influence the spread of a new idea (Rogers, 1962) Application Increasing Parental Awareness of ABA: Will be used to understand how information about ABA can be effectively disseminated to parents of children with ASD. Stages of Adoption: Identifying parents who are innovators and early adopters can help in creating targeted awareness campaigns. Understanding the characteristics of different adopter categories will inform the development of tailored communication strategies. Communication Channels: Evaluating the most effective channels (e.g., social media, healthcare providers, support groups) to reach parents and spread awareness about ABA. Social System: Considering the role of the community and social networks in influencing parental awareness and adoption of ABA practices. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

8. Literature Review: Review of Literature Major Topic/Theme (name the topic) Topic/Theme Description (2-3 sentences with at least 3 in-text citations per topic) Effectiveness of ABA for children with ASD Virues -Ortega (2010) found that long-term studies of ABA interventions led to positive effects on language, social functioning, and cognitive development in children with ASD Reichow et al. (2018) found that ABA interventions resulted in improvements in adaptive behavior, language skills, and IQ when compared to other treatment methodologies Makrygianni et al. (2018) suggested that ABA interventions had moderate to large effects on various skills for children with ASD, including intellectual functioning, communication, and adaptive behavior Barriers to accessing ABA therapy Drahorta et al. (2020) found that financial barriers and a lack of qualified providers were the main barriers to accessing ABA services Malik-Soni et al. (2022) further explored the financial barriers, and found that there was a lack of insurance coverage options, thereby hindering ABA access Jafarabadi et al. (2021) found that children from racial or ethnic minority backgrounds were less likely to receive ABA services DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

9. Literature Review: Review of Literature Major Topic/Theme (name the topic) Topic/Theme Description (2-3 sentences with at least 3 in-text citations per topic) Variability in ABA implementations and outcomes There is still a range in variability in how ABA is implemented across different settings, which makes it difficult to compare results across studies and draw definitive conclusions (Yu et al., 2020; Leaf et al., 2022) According to Eckes et al. (2023), factors like treatment intensity, child characteristics, and specific ABA techniques used can influence the outcomes of ABA interventions. Lack of parental awareness and understanding of ABA There are significant gaps in parents’ understanding of ABA principles and the effectiveness of their implementation (Dennison et al., 2019; Littman et al., 2023) Morris (2009) likewise found many parents had misconceptions about ABA, which influenced their decision to pursue or continue treatment DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

10. Problem Statement It is not known why applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based intervention that helps children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), yet many parents remain unaware of its benefits and availability. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

11. Phenomenon The phenomenon of interest is the lack of awareness among parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) regarding applied behavioral analysis (ABA) as an effective intervention. Despite ABA’s established effectiveness in improving outcomes for children with ASD, many parents remain unaware of its benefits and availability. This creates a significant gap in the use of this intervention. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

12. RQ1: What are the perceptions of parents regarding applied behavioral analysis (ABA) as an intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? RQ2: What factors influence the awareness and understanding of ABA among parents of children with ASD? Research Questions DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

13. Methodology Justification Qualitative Quantitative Main attributes of qualitative methodology: It is exploratory and can help understand phenomena in-depth from the perspectives of the participants (Creswell & Poth, 2018) It involves methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations that provide rich, detailed data (Creswell & Creswell, 2017) Main attributes of quantitative methodology: Focuses on objective measurement and the statistical analysis of data collected through instruments like surveys and tests (Creswell & Creswell, 2017) Aims to generalize findings from a sample to a larger population through statistical inference and hypothesis testing (Babbie, 2021) Justification for qualitative: It will allow for a more detailed exploration of parents' perceptions and the factors influencing their awareness of ABA. Allows this study to capture the complex, nuanced experiences and insights of parents These insights are important for getting understanding why many remain unaware of ABA despite its proven effectiveness. Justification against quantitative: It’s focus on numerical data prevents the depth of responses from parents, whose responses can be complex and cannot be meaningfully measured by statistical data This study requires richness and detail to understand subjective experiences and opinions, which can only be doing using qualitative methodologies DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

14. Design Design Definition Justification (use /not use) Qualitative Descriptive Provides a summary of events in everyday terms (Padgett, 2017) Describes the who, what, and where of experiences and perceptions Does not delve as deeply into the underlying reasons or meanings behind parental perceptions Phenomenological Aims to understand and describe lived experiences regarding a specific phenomenon (Padgett, 2017) Focuses on the essence of experiences Allows for a richer exploration of parents’ lived experiences and perceptions of ABA Allows for an understanding of subjective experiences Narrative Focuses on the stories of individuals Seeks to understand how individuals construct meaning through their stories (Padgett, 2017) Focus on narratives might not suitably capture the collective of essence of parental experiences Case Study An in-depth investigation of a single case or multiple cases in a real-life context (Padgett, 2017) Aims to explore complex issues within real-life settings Detailed context needed for case studies might be more than needed for the research focus on perceptions and awareness Grounded Theory Develops a theory grounded in data collected from participants Focuses on generating new theories or models based on data (Padgett, 2017) This study does not have a focus on generating new theories DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

15. Feasibility Slide 1 Resources for Study Ethical Concerns IRB approval will be needed to make sure ethical standards for conducting research with human participants are met Informed consent will also be required from all participants Accessing participants will require coordination with autism support organizations, schools, and clinics to reach parents of children with ASD Online survey tools (e.g. SurveyMoney , Qualtrics) and virtual interview platforms (e.g. Zoom) will be needed Ethical training modules may need to be completed to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines Data analysis software (like Nvivo ) may be needed for coding and analyzing interview transcripts Risks Emotional distress when discussing experiences, which can be mitigated by allowing them to skip questions or withdraw from the study Confidentiality, which can be ensured by anonymizing data and securely storing all research material. Only the research team will have access. Benefits Participants will contribute to a greater understanding of parental awareness and perceptions of ABA, potentially influencing policy and practice. Providing parents with a platform to share their experiences and insights, which may lead to increased awareness and support for ABA interventions. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

16. Feasibility Slide 2 Study Alignment with Program (Identify Program of Study) Feasibility Concerns Degree & Emphasis: Alignment of topic to degree: DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

17. Defend Questions Feedback DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

18. Next Steps DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

19. Purpose Statement The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the factors contributing to the lack of parental awareness about applied behavioral analysis (ABA) as an effective intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

20. Population, Target Population, & Sample General Population Target Population Sample Refers to the entire group of individuals or instances that could potentially be studied. Includes all individuals who share certain characteristics, without any specific filtering criteria applied (Banerjee & Chaudhury, 2010). A more narrowly defined group within the general population that the research aims to study. Meets specific criteria that make them relevant to the research question (Banerjee & Chaudhury, 2010). A subset of the target population selected for actual study. This subset is chosen to represent the target population accurately, and findings from the sample are generalized to the broader target population (Banerjee & Chaudhury, 2010). All parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) globally. Across different geographical locations, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses. Parents of children with ASD in the United States Can be accessed using social media, collaborating with autism support organizations, and partnering with educational institutions and healthcare providers At least 12-15 in-depth interviews with parents Targeting at least 40 completed questionnaires Recruiting a target population of approximately 200 parents to account for a 10-20% participation rate and potential attrition DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

21. Instrumentation & Data Sources Data Source #1 Semi-Structured Interviews Data Source #2 Open-Ended Questionnaires Structure Open-ended questions, guided by an interview protocol An interview protocol guides the conversation while allowing flexibility to explore interesting points in depth. Development Based on the literature review of articles written by experts in ABA and autism research. Use to Answer RQ(s) RQ1: Interviews will provide in-depth insights into parents' experiences, beliefs, and feelings about ABA. RQ2: Interviews will uncover personal, social, and informational factors that affect awareness and understanding. Structure Contains open-ended questions designed to elicit detailed written responses. Questions are designed to explore perceptions, experiences, and awareness of ABA. Development Developed using insights from the literature and initial qualitative data obtained from the surveys Use to Answer RQ(s) RQ1: Questionnaires will provide a broader range of responses that can be analyzed for common themes and unique perspectives. RQ2: Questionnaires will help identify the key factors that influence awareness and understanding from a larger sample of parents. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

22. Data Collection Steps: Slide 1 Required Permissions Required permissions/approvals (prior to data collection) Site approval not required since data collection will occur online or at community venues accessible to parents of children Permission will be obtained from relevant stakeholders (e.g. autism support organizations) Archival data will not be used Validation information will be derived from existing literature and feedback from experts during the development of the interview protocols, questionnaires, GCU Chair and Committee Approvals AQR Approval IRB Approval Informed Consent form from individual participants DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

23. Data Collection Steps: Slide 2 Sampling Strategy and Sample Selection Primary Sampling (Plan A) Backup Sampling (Plan B) Steps to Access/Identify Participants for Each Data Source Source 1: Source 2: (delete if no 2 nd source) Source 3: (delete if no 3 rd source) Source 1: Source 2: (delete if no 2 nd source) Source 3: (delete if no 3 rd source) Participation Criteria for Each Data Source Source 1: Source 2: (delete if no 2 nd source) Source 3: (delete if no 3 rd source) Source 1: Source 2: (delete if no 2 nd source) Source 3: (delete if no 3 rd source) Sampling Strategy & Description for Each Data Source Source 1: Source 2: (delete if no 2 nd source) Source 3: (delete if no 3 rd source) Source 1: Source 2: (delete if no 2 nd source) Source 3: (delete if no 3 rd source) DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

24. Data Collection Steps: Slide 3 Collecting the Data Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: etc. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

25. Data Collection Steps: Slide 4 Data Management and Storage Where will you store the data? [answer] How long will you store the data? [answer] How will you protect the data? [answer] How will you destroy the data? [answer] DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

26. Data Analysis Steps: Slide 1 Data Source #1 – Analysis Strategy Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: etc. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

27. Data Analysis Steps: Slide 2 Data Source #2 – Analysis Strategy Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: etc. DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

28. Feasibility Slide 1 Resources for Study Ethical Concerns DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

29. Feasibility Slide 2 Study Alignment with Program (Identify Program of Study) Feasibility Concerns Degree & Emphasis: Alignment of topic to degree: DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

30. Defend Questions Feedback DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

31. Next Steps DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

32. References Babbie, E.R. (2021). The practice of social research (15 th ed). Cengage. Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley , T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1 (1), 91-97. Banerjee, A., & Chaudhury, S. (2010). Statistics without tears: Populations and samples. Industrial psychiatry journal, 19 (1), 60–65. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-6748.77642 Bordini , D., Moya, A., Asevedo , G.R., Paula, C.S., Brunoni , D., & Brentani, H. (2024). Exploring the acquisition of social communication skills in children with autism. Brain Sciences, 14 (2). https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14020172 Choi, K. R., Bhakta, B., Knight, E. A., Becerra- Culqui , T. A., Gahre , T. L., Zima, B., & Coleman, K. J. (2022). Patient Outcomes After Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 43 (1), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000000995 Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications. Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design Choosing among Five Approaches (4 th ed). SAGE Publications, Inc. Dennison, A., Lund, E. M., Brodhead, M. T., Mejia, L., Armenta, A., & Leal, J. (2019). Delivering Home-Supported Applied Behavior Analysis Therapies to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families. Behavior analysis in Practice, 12 (4), 887–898. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00374-1 DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

33. References Eckes , T., Buhlmann , U., Holling , H. D., & Möllmann , A. (2023). Comprehensive ABA-based interventions in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder: Ameta -analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 23 (1), 133. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04412-1 Jafarabadi , M. A., Gholipour , K., Shahrokhi, H., Malek, A., Ghiasi , A., Pourasghari , H., & Iezadi , S. (2021). Disparities in the quality of and access to services in children with autism spectrum disorders: a structural equation modeling. Archives of Public Health, 79 (1), 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-021-00577-5 Leaf, J. B., Cihon , J. H., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., Liu, N., Russell, N., Unumb , L., Shapiro, S., & Khosrowshahi , D. (2022). Concerns About ABA-Based Intervention: An Evaluation and Recommendations. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 52 (6), 2838–2853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05137-y Littman, E. R., Gavin, L., Broda , A., Hodges, A. C., & Spector, L. (2023). Barriers to Receiving Applied Behavior Analysis Services in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cureus , 15 (11), e48585. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.48585 Lovaas , O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55 (1), 3-9. Makrygianni , M. K., Gena, A., Katoudi , S., & Galanis , P. (2018). The effectiveness of applied behavior analytic interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A meta-analytic study. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 51 , 18–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2018.03.006 Malik-Soni, N., Shaker, A., Luck, H., Mullin, A. E., Wiley, R. E., Lewis, M. E. S., Fuentes, J., & Frazier, T. W. (2022). Tackling healthcare access barriers for individuals with autism from diagnosis to adulthood. Pediatric research, 91 (5), 1028–1035. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-021-01465-y DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE

34. References Morris E. K. (2009). A case study in the misrepresentation of applied behavior analysis in autism: the gernsbacher lectures. The Behavior analyst, 32 (1), 205–240. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392184 Padgett, D.K. (2017). Qualitative methods in social work research (3 rd ed.). SAGE Publications Inc. Reichow , B., Hume, K., Barton, E. E., & Boyd, B. A. (2018). Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 5 (5). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009260.pub3 Rogers, E. M. (1962). Diffusion of innovations. New York: Free Press. Virués -Ortega J. (2010). Applied behavior analytic intervention for autism in early childhood: meta-analysis, meta-regression and dose-response meta-analysis of multiple outcomes. Clinical psychology review, 30 (4), 387–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.01.008 Yu, Q., Li, E., Li, L., & Liang, W. (2020). Efficacy of Interventions Based on Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. Psychiatry investigation, 17 (5), 432–443. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.0229 DOCTORATES WITH PURPOSE