Bridging Research and Practice in ABA with Matt Harrington

In the Field: The ABA Podcast

In this episode of In the Field: The ABA Podcast, I sit down with Matt Harrington, founder of the Behaviorist Book Club, to explore the essential role of research literacy in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Mathew shares his journey from clinical work to developing resources that help behavior analysts access and apply research effectively. He introduces practical frameworks, like his "Key Places Framework," designed to make research more accessible and actionable for busy practitioners.

Key Topics:

• The Research-to-Practice Gap: Matt discusses the challenges behavior analysts face in keeping up with rapidly evolving research and how this gap impacts clinical quality.
• Key Places Framework: An innovative approach for quickly navigating and extracting relevant information from research articles, enabling clinicians to save time and make informed decisions.
• Overcoming Barriers to Research Access: Practical tips for accessing essential ABA journals, handling paywalls, and making time for continued learning.
• Importance of Research Literacy in Supervision: Why developing research literacy is crucial for new clinicians and how supervisors can support this skill.
• Bootcamps and Courses: Insights into Matt's educational programs at the Behaviorist Book Club, including his "Pathways" bootcamp for intensive learning in severe behavior reduction.

Key Takeaways:

• Accessing and applying ABA research doesn’t have to be daunting. Matt's frameworks empower clinicians to efficiently find and use research, fostering better clinical outcomes.
• Research literacy is an essential skill for behavior analysts, not only to improve intervention efficacy but also to build confidence in clinical decision-making.
• Supervisors play a crucial role in developing research literacy and critical thinking skills in new behavior analysts, preparing them for long-term success in the field.

Keywords: ABA, Behavior Analysis, Research Literacy, Behaviorist Book Club, Key Places Framework, Clinical Quality, Research-to-Practice Gap, Severe Behavior Reduction, ABA Supervision

Connect with Matt:

• Website: www.behavioristbookclub.com
• Free Resource: Solving Clinical Challenges with Research - Free CEU course covering the Key Places Framework and research finding techniques.
• Facebook: ABA Cafe

Subscribe to the Podcast: Don’t forget to subscribe to In the Field: The ABA Podcast for more insights and interviews with experts in behavior analysis. Visit www.sidekicklearning.net for more resources on fieldwork supervision and continuing education opportunities!

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