• Industry-Wide Feedback: AI Integration in ABA Organizations

    This survey asks for your honest perspectives on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) organizations, including potential benefits, concerns, and ethical considerations, to help inform responsible and effective integration of AI in clinical practice.

  • Screening Questions

    Please answer the following eligibility questions before continuing. If you answered “Yes” to questions 1–5 and “No” to questions 6-8, you meet the eligibility criteria for this study. Once your responses are confirmed, you will receive the informed consent form, and proceed to the anonymous survey.
  • 1. Are you 18 years of age or older?*
  • 2. Are you currently employed in an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) organization in the United States?*
  • 3. Does your current role involve clinical service delivery, supervision, or data/quality management (e.g., BCBA, BCaBA, RBT, Program Supervisor, Clinical Director, Data Analyst)?*
  • 4. Are you able to read English and access an internet-connected device to complete an online survey?*
  • 5. Do you have at least three months of experience working in an ABA setting?*
  • 6. Is your primary professional role outside of an ABA service context (e.g., general education teacher, speech-language pathologist, IT staff not working within ABA services)?*
  • 7. Are you currently a student or intern who is not yet employed in an ABA role?*
  • 8. Are you a vendor, developer, or employee of a company that creates or sells AI products?*

  • Industry-Wide Feedback: AI Integration in ABA Organizations

  • INFORMED CONSENT FORM


    Study Title: Industry-Wide Feedback: AI Integration in ABA Organizations

     

    Researcher: Dr. Amanda Randall
    Position: Assistant Professor, Capella University
    Email: Amanda.Randall@Capella.edu, 252-258-6068


    INTRODUCTION
    I invite you to participate in a research study. I am a faculty researcher at Capella University in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The purpose of this study is to better understand current AI use, perceived benefits and concerns, and factors that may support or limit responsible implementation in ABA settings. Findings may be shared through professional presentations or practitioner-focused publications. This form will help you decide if you want to participate. Participation is voluntary. 


    WHAT IS THIS STUDY ABOUT?

    I want to learn about how professionals in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) organizations are currently using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including how they address ethical considerations, safety, and organizational systems related to AI integration. The goal is to better understand current practices, barriers to adoption, and perceptions of AI use in order to inform future guidelines and support ethical, human-led implementation of AI in ABA.

    WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
    You might want to participate because you have experience working in an ABA setting and can provide valuable insight into how AI is currently being used, perceived, or implemented within your organization. Your responses may help shape future professional guidelines, training opportunities, and ethical standards for AI use in ABA.


    WILL PARTICIPATION HELP YOU OR OTHERS?
    Participation in this study will not directly help you. 

     

    WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

    You might not want to participate if you feel uncomfortable answering questions about your organization’s practices, technology use, or ethical considerations related to AI, even though responses are anonymous.

     

    ARE THERE RISKS TO YOU IF YOU PARTICIPATE? 
    This is a minimal risk study. The questions ask only about your opinions. Risks should be no greater than those you encounter in everyday life. You can stop participation at any time.

  • ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THE STUDY?

    You can participate in the study if you:

    • Adults (18 years or older).
    • Currently employed in an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) organization in the United States.
    • Primary job duties in clinical service delivery, supervision, or data/quality management (e.g., BCBA, BCaBA, RBT, Program Supervisor, Clinical Director, Data Analyst).
    • Able to read English and access an internet-connected device to complete the survey.

    You are not eligible to participate if you:

    • Work outside an ABA service context (e.g., schoolteachers, SLPs, general IT staff).
    • Are students or interns not yet employed in an ABA role.
    • Are vendors or developers of AI products.
    • Have less than three months of ABA experience
    • About 200 participants will be in this study. 

    WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THIS STUDY?

    If you participate, you will complete the following activities:

    Complete an anonymous online survey about AI use in ABA organizations. This will take approximately 8–12 minutes.
    Data will be collected using an online survey platform. No identifying information will be requested.
    No interviews, follow-up surveys, or additional activities will occur.

    WHAT KINDS OF PERSONAL DATA WILL I COLLECT FROM YOU? 

    This survey does not ask for your name, contact information, or any identifying information.

    ARE THERE OTHER PROCEDURES THAT MIGHT HELP YOU?

    There are no alternative procedures relevant to the study.

    HOW LONG WILL YOU BE IN THE STUDY?
    If you decide to participate, your total time commitment will be approximately 8-12 minutes to complete one anonymous online survey.

    WILL YOU GET PAID?

    You will not be paid for your participation.

    IS PARTICIPATION VOLUNTARY

    Your participation in this study is voluntary. You can say no or stop participation at any time. There will be no penalty to you. You will not lose benefits or services to which you are otherwise entitled. If you want to stop participation, please close the window and exit the survey.

    ARE THERE ANY COSTS TO YOU IF YOU PARTICIPATE?

    There are no additional costs to you if you participate.

  • HOW WILL I PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY?
    The information you provide for the research will be kept confidential by storing all data on a password-protected, encrypted external drive accessible only to the researcher (Dr. Amanda Randall) and her research supervisor. The online survey will be hosted through JotForm, which uses SSL encryption and complies with U.S. data privacy laws. All survey responses will be downloaded and stored securely; no names or contact information will be collected.

    Please note that the internet and computers are never fully secure. Use of JotForm will involve acceptance of the risks associated with any online data collection platform. You can view JotForm’s security policy here: https://www.jotform.com/security/.

    I will follow the privacy and confidentiality procedures outlined here to protect your data and responses. Note that JotForm is a third-party service with its own privacy policy that may not fully align with Capella University’s expectations. You can review JotForm’s privacy policy here: https://www.jotform.com/privacy/.

    Please note that there are minimal risks from the electronic transfer of your information to Capella University reviewers who may reside in different regions with different data privacy laws.

    In any written reports or publications, I will not use your name. Because the survey does not collect identifying information, your responses will remain anonymous. I, my research supervisor, and Capella University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Research Compliance Committee (RCC) may review de-identified data for quality and compliance purposes.

    All survey data will be securely maintained for seven years and then permanently deleted. Because this is an anonymous survey, it will not be possible to withdraw individual data once it has been submitted.

    No data collected in this study will be given to another researcher or used in future research beyond the purposes described here.

     

    WHO CAN YOU TALK TO ABOUT THIS STUDY?
    You can talk to family members, friends, professionals, or anyone who supports you. It is important that you feel comfortable with your participation. Capella University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) has been established to protect the rights and welfare of human research participants. Contact the IRB at irb@capella.edu for any of the following reasons:

    ·      You have questions about your rights as a research participant.

    ·      You have experienced a research-related injury.

    ·      You wish to discuss problems or concerns.

    ·      You have suggestions to improve the participant experience.

    ·      You do not feel comfortable talking with the researcher.

    You may contact the IRB without giving your name. To ensure safe conduct of the research, the IRB may need to reveal the information you provide to the researcher, supervisor, or appropriate authority.

  • DO YOU WANT TO BE IN THIS STUDY?
    Proceeding with the research shows you have read this form. You have had
    time to contact the researcher to ask questions about this study. I have
    answered any questions you asked. You voluntarily agree to be in this study,
    Industry-Wide Feedback: AI Integration in ABA Organizations. You understand that you can stop participation at any time by
    exiting out of your browser or ceasing to complete the survey or interview.

    Please keep or print a copy of this consent form for your records.


    Click “I consent” to proceed. Click “I do not consent” to exit out.

  • Thank You and Have a great day!

    Thank you for your interest in this research study. Based on your responses, you do not meet the eligibility criteria for participation at this time. We appreciate your time.

  • Industry-Wide Feedback: AI Integration in ABA Organizations 

    Your responses will help us understand:

    The perceived value of AI in improving clinical outcomes, training, and organizational systems
    The acceptability of AI use across clinical and administrative tasks
    Key concerns related to ethics, safety, and data privacy
    Barriers and supports influencing AI adoption within ABA organizations
    The survey will take approximately 8–12 minutes to complete. There are no right or wrong answers—please share your honest perspectives. All responses are anonymous and will be reported in summary form.

    Participation in this study is entirely voluntary, and you may exit the survey at any time.

  • Section 1: Demographics & Professional Experience

    First, tell us a little about your background.
  • 1. Current Primary Role*
  • 2. Years of Experience in ABA*
  • 3. Types of Supervision Experience*
  • 4. Work Setting*

  • Section 2: Current AI Usage & Technical Workflow

    Next, we’d like to understand how AI is used in your work.
  • 5. How often do you use AI tools for work-related tasks?*
  • 6. What tasks do you use AI tools for? (check all that apply)*
  • 7. I use AI tools in ways that support privacy, accuracy, and appropriate oversight.*
  • 8. What steps do you take to check AI outputs before using them in practice?*

  • Section 3: OBM & Organizational Systems

    These questions focus on organizational policies and adoption.
  • 9. Does your organization have a formal written policy for AI use?*
  • 10. How has your organization supported AI adoption?*
  • 11. What is the primary barrier to using AI tools effectively in your organization?*
  • 12. My organization encourages responsible innovation with new technologies like AI.*
  • 13. I understand how to use AI tools in a way that protects client privacy and ensures accuracy.*

  • Section 4: Social Validity & Future Outlook

    Finally, share your views on AI’s potential impact in practice.
  • 14. I believe the use of AI tools could lead to lasting improvements in the quality of life for individuals served.*
  • 15. I believe the use of AI tools could lead to lasting improvements in staff training effectiveness.*
  • 16. Does your organization inform clients/families about the use of AI in services?*
  • 17. I believe the use of AI tools could lead to lasting improvements in the efficiency of staff training.*
  • 18. Is there a clear process in your organization for reporting errors or concerns related to AI outputs?*
  • 19. How would you describe your organization’s level of AI integration?*
  • 20. I believe the use of AI tools could lead to lasting improvements in the accuracy of data collection.*
  • 21. I believe the use of AI tools could lead to lasting improvements in the accuracy of data analysis.*
  • 22. I believe the use of AI tools could lead to lasting improvements in treatment integrity monitoring.*
  • 23. I trust AI-generated outputs when used within appropriate safeguards.*
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