Research Careers for BCBAs: Publishing and Academia

The Importance of Research in Behavior Analysis

Behavior analysis is, at its core, a scientific discipline. The interventions BCBAs use every day were developed through rigorous research, and the continued advancement of the field depends on clinicians who contribute to the evidence base. Whether you envision a full-time academic career or want to integrate research into your clinical practice, understanding the research landscape can open doors to meaningful professional contributions and career advancement.

This guide explores the various pathways BCBAs can take to engage in research and contribute to the scientific literature.

Research Career Pathways

Clinical Researcher

Many BCBAs contribute to research while maintaining active clinical caseloads. This pathway is ideal if you:

• Enjoy direct clinical work but want to systematically evaluate your interventions
• Want to publish case studies, single-subject designs, or program evaluations based on your clinical practice
• Prefer to stay in a practice setting rather than moving to a university

Clinical research often takes the form of single-case experimental designs conducted within your regular clinical work. By adding systematic measurement and experimental control to cases you are already treating, you can generate publishable data while providing excellent clinical care.

University Faculty

Academic positions involve teaching, research, and service responsibilities. This pathway typically requires a doctoral degree and is best suited for BCBAs who:

• Are passionate about training the next generation of behavior analysts
• Want to conduct programmatic research with dedicated time and institutional resources
• Enjoy writing, presenting, and engaging in scholarly discourse
• Value academic freedom to pursue research questions that interest them

Research Scientist

Some BCBAs work as full-time researchers at research institutes, hospitals, or government agencies. These positions focus primarily on conducting funded research projects and may involve:

• Designing and implementing large-scale research studies
• Managing research teams and training research assistants
• Writing grant applications and managing funded projects
• Publishing findings and presenting at national and international conferences

Getting Published in Behavior Analysis

Choosing the Right Journal

Behavior analysis has several high-quality peer-reviewed journals, each with its own focus:

• Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA): The flagship journal for applied research. Publishes studies that demonstrate socially significant behavior change using rigorous single-case designs.
• Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB): Focuses on basic research exploring fundamental behavioral processes
• Behavior Analysis in Practice (BAP): Publishes practitioner-focused articles, including program descriptions, technology guides, and clinical innovations
• The Analysis of Verbal Behavior (TAVB): Specializes in research related to Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior
• Journal of Organizational Behavior Management (JOBM): Focuses on OBM research and applications
• Education and Treatment of Children: Publishes research on behavioral and educational interventions for children and youth

Types of Publishable Work

You do not need a large-scale study to get published. Consider these accessible formats:

• Single-case experimental designs: Reversal designs, multiple baseline designs, and alternating treatments designs based on your clinical work
• Systematic replications: Replicating published procedures with a different population, setting, or behavioral target
• Program descriptions: Detailed descriptions of innovative clinical programs or organizational systems you have developed
• Literature reviews: Comprehensive reviews of research on a specific topic that synthesize current knowledge and identify gaps
• Brief practice reports: Shorter descriptions of clinical innovations or interesting case findings
• Conceptual articles: Theoretical or philosophical contributions to the field

The Publication Process

1. Write your manuscript: Follow the journal's author guidelines precisely. Use APA format and ensure your writing is clear, concise, and well-organized.
2. Submit for peer review: Most journals use a blind review process where two to three experts evaluate your manuscript.
3. Receive feedback: Expect one of four decisions: accept, accept with minor revisions, revise and resubmit, or reject. Revise and resubmit is the most common outcome for first-time submissions.
4. Revise and resubmit: Address every reviewer comment thoroughly. Write a detailed response letter explaining each change you made.
5. Publication: Once accepted, your manuscript goes through copyediting and production before appearing in the journal.

The typical timeline from submission to publication is 6 to 18 months. Patience and persistence are essential.

Pursuing a Doctoral Degree

If you are serious about a research career, a doctoral degree (PhD or EdD) significantly expands your opportunities:

Choosing Between PhD and EdD

• PhD programs: Emphasize research methodology and original contribution to knowledge. Best for those pursuing academic or research-focused careers. Typically 4 to 6 years.
• EdD programs: Focus on applied practice and leadership. May be more suitable if you want to combine research with administrative or clinical leadership roles. Typically 3 to 5 years.

Selecting a Program

Consider these factors when choosing a doctoral program:

• Faculty expertise: Align with a mentor whose research interests match yours. Your doctoral advisor will be one of the most important professional relationships of your career.
• Research resources: Look for programs with active labs, existing research infrastructure, and graduate funding
• Program culture: Visit programs and talk to current students about the mentorship quality, work-life balance, and collaborative environment
• Funding: Many PhD programs offer assistantships that cover tuition and provide a stipend. Factor this into your decision.

Building a Research Agenda

A successful research career requires a focused, coherent research agenda. Here is how to develop one:

1. Identify your passion: What clinical or theoretical questions keep you up at night? What problems do you encounter in practice that the existing literature does not adequately address?
2. Review the literature: Understand what has already been studied and where the gaps are. Your research should build on existing work while addressing unanswered questions.
3. Start small: Begin with feasible, well-designed studies that address specific questions. Build your reputation and skills before tackling large, complex projects.
4. Collaborate: Partner with experienced researchers, especially early in your career. Co-authoring with established scholars helps you learn the process and build credibility.
5. Be consistent: Publish regularly, even if individual studies are small. A steady stream of publications demonstrates productivity and commitment.

Securing Research Funding

Funded research allows you to conduct larger, more ambitious studies. Potential funding sources include:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH): The largest source of federal research funding, with mechanisms specifically for behavioral research
• Institute of Education Sciences (IES): Funds education-related research, including studies of behavioral interventions in schools
• Autism-specific foundations: Organizations like the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) and Autism Science Foundation fund behavior analytic research
• University internal grants: Most universities offer small grants for faculty research, which are excellent for pilot studies
• BACB research grants: The BACB occasionally offers grants to support behavior analytic research

Balancing Research and Clinical Work

Many BCBAs want to maintain clinical involvement while pursuing research. Strategies for balance include:

• Integrate research into your clinical practice through systematic evaluation of your interventions
• Dedicate specific days or time blocks to research activities
• Collaborate with a research team so tasks can be distributed
• Choose a work setting that values and supports research activities alongside clinical responsibilities

Contributing to the research base of behavior analysis is one of the most lasting contributions a BCBA can make. Whether through a single published case study or a 30-year academic career, your research helps ensure that the interventions used by future clinicians are effective, ethical, and evidence-based.