A Component Analysis of Behavioral Skills Training for Teaching Data Collection to Preservice Professionals

ABSTRACT Behavior Skills Training (BST) is a well‐researched training method for training adults in diverse settings, and is comprised of four components: didactic instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. Although BST is widely supported in the literature as effective, its efficiency and the necessity of each individual component remain under investigation. We used an adapted alternating treatments design to compare individual BST components in teaching four data collection skills to four preservice professionals to determine which components were individually effective and, perhaps, superior within the BST model. We used counterbalancing to assign individual BST components to target skills across participants. Results indicated that modeling was the most effective component across participants, with some participants reaching mastery criteria in as few as two training sessions. Didactic instruction and feedback also improved performance, though less consistently. Social validity data also supported participant preference for modeling and feedback. These findings suggest that training packages incorporating individual or select combinations of BST components may be sufficient for teaching specific skills, allowing more resource‐efficient and scalable adult training procedures. Future investigations should aim to define BST variations with greater precision and explore tiered or individualized training approaches based on skill complexity and trainee preferences.