Which definition best describes parametric analysis?

• A. A history of the natural evolution of a species
• B. A time sampling method in which the observer records whether the target behavior occurred at any time during the interval
• C. An experiment designed to discover the differential effects of a range of values of an independent variable
• D. A relation between the stimulus and response where the beginning, middle, and end of the verbal stimulus matches the beginning, middle, and end of the verbal response

Answer: (C)

Parametric analysis involves systematically changing a parameter of the independent variable across a range of values to see how each value influences the behavior. This approach is about mapping how different magnitudes or settings of the manipulation affect the outcome, helping to identify the specific value or range that yields the desired effect.

The option that best matches this idea describes an experiment designed to discover differential effects of a range of values of an independent variable. This captures the essence of varying the parameter itself and observing how behavior changes across those variations.

The other descriptions refer to unrelated concepts: a historical account of evolution, a time-sampling data collection method, and a verbal stimulus–response relation, none of which capture the study of how different values of an independent variable produce different effects.