An Example of Application of Social Comparison in Special Education Research Studies

Applied behavior analysis is a discipline in which the purpose is to change the behaviors which are socially important by systematically applying behavior principles suggested by behavioristic theories. The effects of the practices which are based on applied behavior analysis and planned to change the socially important behaviors can be determined by measuring social validity. Social validity is related to the qualitative dimensions of effectiveness of a program. With social validity the appropriateness of a research study’s purpose, the methods to meet this purpose and the findings of that study can be examined. Social validity can be measured before or after as well as during the intervention by using different methods and the data can be used for different purposes. The purpose of this study is to give information about social validity measurement and to present an example of application of social comparison method which was used to determine social validity of an intervention program which was developed for teachers working in inclusive classrooms