Table 2.

Original and Updated Barriers and Proposed Solutions for Searching, Accessing, and Contacting the Research Literature

Task	Barriers	Solutions
Searching the literature	• Deciding where to start can be daunting.	• Access ABA subspecialty area resources offered by the BACB.
	• Searching individual journal websites is inefficient.	• Access available resources for searching specialized areas of practice.
	• General web searches produce many “false positives.”	• Contact members from relevant ABAI SIGs.
	• Access to the PsycInfo database may be limited or costly.	• Use individual or organizational subscriptions to PsycInfo.
		• Get PsycInfo access via an alumni-association membership.
		• Deduct PsycInfo expense on your tax return.
		• Gain access to ERIC’s searchable database with the BCBA/BCaBA credential.
Accessing journal content	• Access to journals may not be reliable.	• Consult with established clinicians/researchers to become familiar with relevant journals.
	• Journal subscriptions are expensive.	• Compile a list of relevant journals to follow on a routine basis.
	• There are many relevant journals to follow.	• Follow inexpensive or free journals when possible.
	• Author contact information may not always be up to date.	• Gain access to archived articles in PubMed Central.
		• Gain access to the library via an adjunct appointment or alumni membership.
		• Use ResearchGate to access content (e.g., contact authors for preprints).
		• Access JABA, JEAB, and BI articles with the BCBA/BCaBA credential.
Contacting the contemporary literature	• It is difficult to keep up with a multitude of articles published in both behavioral and nonbehavioral journals.	• Organize bookmarks to journal sites in your web browser.
	• It is effortful to follow multiple journals.	• Routinely visit journal sites to review online-first articles.
	• The environment does not support the activity.	• Sign up for table-of-contents email alerts.
	• There is limited time to dedicate to reviewing content.	• Use an aggregator to monitor updates to journal websites.
		• Follow researchers, articles, and projects on various social platforms (e.g., ResearchGate).
		• Subscribe to research collation services (e.g., Current Contents in ABA).
		• Use self-management procedures.
		• Follow behavior-analytic blogs and podcasts.
		• Set contingencies and dedicate time to reviewing relevant content.
		• Create a supportive verbal community.
		• Consult with senior practitioners/researchers to become familiar with relevant content.
		• Post articles or discuss content on various social media platforms.
		• Start or join a journal club.

Note. Italicized items indicate an updated barrier or solution. ABA = applied behavior analysis; BACB = Behavior Analyst Certification Board; ABAI SIGs = Association for Behavior Analysis International special interest groups; BCBA = Board Certified Behavior Analyst; BCaBA = Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst; JABA = Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis; JEAB = Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior; BI = Behavioral Interventions.