ABA is the applied science, meaning that all research is interventions that directly help the participants of the research. BA is not necessarily applied, so that means that research may be on basic principles of behavior and learning and not directly benefit the participants.

"ABA is the applied science, meaning that all research is interventions that directly help the participants of the research.  BA is not necessarily applied, so that means that research may be on basic principles of behavior and learning and not directly benefit the participants..."

-Dr. Dana Reinecke

Assistant Program Director, Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Topic Example: 

• Evaluating the effectiveness of a conditioned reinforcement strategy to improve public speaking skills, where the participants are college students who want and need to improve their public speaking skills. 

Behavior Analysis (BA) Topic Example: 

• Effects of availability of reinforcement upon waking to determine if children awaken earlier when reinforcement is available. (we are going to learn something about "waking" as a category of behavior that might be applied to help people in real life).