This document provides instructions for graphing the results of a standard functional analysis (FA) in Excel. It describes how to organize raw FA data, insert a line graph, format the lines and markers to distinguish conditions, add titles and labels to the graph, and format axes. The purpose is to learn how to visually display FA data to analyze and interpret patterns in problem behavior across different test conditions.

1. How to Graph Results of a
Standard Functional Analysis
(FA)
Michael Aragon, M.S. &
Ellie Kazemi, Ph.D., BCBA-D
California State University, Northridge (CSUN)

2. of this Learning Module for Trainee

3. of this Learning Module for Trainee
1. Learn what a Functional Analysis of problem behavior is

4. of this Learning Module for Trainee
1. Learn what a Functional Analysis of problem behavior is
2. Learn when you should/could use the Standard FA

5. of this Learning Module for Trainee
1. Learn what a Functional Analysis of problem behavior is
2. Learn when you should/could use the Standard FA
3. Learn how to conduct the following assessment conditions
a) Attention
b) Escape
c) Ignore/Alone
d) Play

6. of this Learning Module for Trainee
1. Learn what a Functional Analysis of problem behavior is
2. Learn when you should/could use the Standard FA
3. Learn how to conduct the following assessment conditions
a) Attention
b) Escape
c) Ignore/Alone
d) Play
4. Learn how to collect data

7. of this Learning Module for Trainee
1. Learn what a Functional Analysis of problem behavior is
2. Learn when you should/could use the Standard FA
3. Learn how to conduct the following assessment conditions
a) Attention
b) Escape
c) Ignore/Alone
d) Play
4. Learn how to collect data
5. Learn how to graph your results

8. of this Learning Module for Trainee
1. Learn what a Functional Analysis of problem behavior is
2. Learn when you should/could use the Standard FA
3. Learn how to conduct the following assessment conditions
a) Attention
b) Escape
c) Ignore/Alone
d) Play
4. Learn how to collect data
5. Learn how to graph your results
6. Learn how to analyze and interpret your findings

9. of this Learning Module for Trainee
1. Learn what a Functional Analysis of problem behavior is
2. Learn when you should/could use the Standard FA
3. Learn how to conduct the following assessment conditions
a) Attention
b) Escape
c) Ignore/Alone
d) Play
4. Learn how to collect data
5. Learn how to graph your results
6. Learn how to analyze and interpret your findings
7. Learn to problem solve following undifferentiated results

10. Graphing FA Results in Excel
The following instructions were developed using Excel 2013
Conditions
Session Series Ignore Attention Play Demand
1 0% 12% 5% 37%
2 0% 11% 0% 46%
3 0% 0% 0% 46%

11. Graphing FA Results in Excel
The following instructions were developed using Excel 2013
Conditions
Session Series Ignore Attention Play Demand
1 0% 12% 5% 37%
2 0% 11% 0% 46%
3 0% 0% 0% 46%
1. After calculating the %age of intervals in which the TBx occurred in
each condition, organize your raw data.

12. 2. Enter the labels of the conditions you implemented across the first
row of excel

13. 3. Enter one data point per row for each condition in a “step” pattern

14. 3. Enter one data point per row for each condition in a “step” pattern

15. 3. Enter one data point per row for each condition in a “step” pattern

16. 3. Enter one data point per row for each condition in a “step” pattern

17. 3. Enter one data point per row for each condition in a “step” pattern

19. 4. Select labels and
data points

20. 4. Select labels and
data points
5. Click on insert tab

21. 4. Select labels and
data points
5. Click on insert tab
6.Click on line graph

22. 4. Select labels and
data points
5. Click on insert tab
6.Click on line graph
7. Click line with markers

24. 8. Place cursor onto
the graph and right
click

25. 8. Place cursor onto
the graph and right
click
9. Click on “Select Data”

27. 10. Click on “Hidden and
Empty Cells”

29. 11. Click on “Connect data points with line”

30. 12. Then click “OK” and then “OK”
again
11. Click on “Connect data points with line”

32. 13. Select a data series by clicking on
the line

34. 14. The “Format Data Series” panel
should appear on the right. Otherwise,
right click on the line and select “format
data series.”

36. 15. Click on the “Fill & Line” icon

37. 15. Click on the “Fill & Line” icon
16. Then click on “Marker”

38. 15. Click on the “Fill & Line” icon
16. Then click on “Marker”
17. Then click on “Marker Options”

39. 15. Click on the “Fill & Line” icon
16. Then click on “Marker”
17. Then click on “Marker Options”
18. Click on “Built-in”

40. 15. Click on the “Fill & Line” icon
16. Then click on “Marker”
17. Then click on “Marker Options”
18. Click on “Built-in”
19. Select a symbol from the given choices

41. Assign a different marker to
each condition by following
steps 13-23. Typically
Ignore/Alone is a closed
circle, Attention is a closed
square, Play is an open
circle, and Demand is a
closed triangle.

42. 20. Click on “Fill” and select “Solid Fill”
Assign a different marker to
each condition by following
steps 13-23. Typically
Ignore/Alone is a closed
circle, Attention is a closed
square, Play is an open
circle, and Demand is a
closed triangle.

43. 20. Click on “Fill” and select “Solid Fill”
21. Click on “Color” and select
black
Assign a different marker to
each condition by following
steps 13-23. Typically
Ignore/Alone is a closed
circle, Attention is a closed
square, Play is an open
circle, and Demand is a
closed triangle.

44. 20. Click on “Fill” and select “Solid Fill”
21. Click on “Color” and select
black
22. Click on “Border” and select “Solid
line”
Assign a different marker to
each condition by following
steps 13-23. Typically
Ignore/Alone is a closed
circle, Attention is a closed
square, Play is an open
circle, and Demand is a
closed triangle.

45. 20. Click on “Fill” and select “Solid Fill”
21. Click on “Color” and select
black
22. Click on “Border” and select “Solid
line”
23. Click on “Color” and select black
Assign a different marker to
each condition by following
steps 13-23. Typically
Ignore/Alone is a closed
circle, Attention is a closed
square, Play is an open
circle, and Demand is a
closed triangle.

47. 24. Select a data series by clicking on
the line

49. 25. Select “Line”

50. 25. Select “Line”
26. Select “Solid Line”

51. 25. Select “Line”
26. Select “Solid Line”
27. Select color black

52. 25. Select “Line”
26. Select “Solid Line”
27. Select color black
28. Repeat steps 24-28 for each
condition

54. 29. Click the “+” symbol

55. 29. Click the “+” symbol
30. Check “Axis Titles”

56. 29. Click the “+” symbol
30. Check “Axis Titles”
31. Uncheck “Gridlines”

58. 33. Highlight the y-axis title
and type the DV for the y-axis
• Interval recording:
“Percent of Intervals with
Problem Behavior”
• Frequency: “ Frequency
per minute”

59. 33. Highlight the y-axis title
and type the DV for the y-axis
• Interval recording:
“Percent of Intervals with
Problem Behavior”
• Frequency: “ Frequency
per minute”
32. Highlight the x-axis title and type “Sessions”

61. 34. Click on the numbers on
the y-axis

62. 34. Click on the numbers on
the y-axis
35. Click on the “Fill & Line” icon

63. 34. Click on the numbers on
the y-axis
36. Click on “Line” and
select “Solid Line”
35. Click on the “Fill & Line” icon

64. 34. Click on the numbers on
the y-axis
36. Click on “Line” and
select “Solid Line”
37. Follow steps 34-36 for x-
axis
35. Click on the “Fill & Line” icon

66. 38. Click on the numbers on
the y-axis

67. 38. Click on the numbers on
the y-axis
39. Click on the “Axis Options” icon

68. 38. Click on the numbers on
the y-axis
40. Click on “Tick Marks”
and select “Major Type -
Outside”
39. Click on the “Axis Options” icon

69. 38. Click on the numbers on
the y-axis
40. Click on “Tick Marks”
and select “Major Type -
Outside”
41. Follow steps 38-40 for x-
axis
39. Click on the “Axis Options” icon

71. 42. Highlight the “Chart title”
and type the title for the
graph

72. 42. Highlight the “Chart title”
and type the title for the
graph
• The title must indicate the
type of FA and the target
behavior

73. 42. Highlight the “Chart title”
and type the title for the
graph
• The title must indicate the
type of FA and the target
behavior
• E.g., Standard Functional
Analysis Results for Yelling

74. • The Standard
Functional
Analysis Graphing
template provided
with this module
packet may also
be used to graph
raw FA data

75. 1. Open the Standard
FA Graph Template by
clicking the link in the
Graphing Module
page
2. Input the raw data
in the “step” pattern
previously mentioned

76. 1. Open the Standard
FA Graph Template by
clicking the link in the
Graphing Module
page
2. Input the raw data
in the “step” pattern
previously mentioned

77. 3. Left click on the
middle of the graph
4. Drag the bottom
left or right corner of
the blue square
highlighting the raw
data such that only
the inputted data is
highlighted
5. Alter the graph
title, axis titles and
legend to match your
data.

78. 3. Left click on the
middle of the graph
4. Drag the bottom
left or right corner of
the blue square
highlighting the raw
data such that only
the inputted data is
highlighted
5. Alter the graph
title, axis titles and
legend to match your
data.

79. 3. Left click on the
middle of the graph
4. Drag the bottom
left or right corner of
the blue square
highlighting the raw
data such that only
the inputted data is
highlighted
5. Alter the graph
title, axis titles and
legend to match your
data.

80. Please continue to the Interpretation Module