Final answer:
In the Austin and Bevan (2011) study, the dependent variable was the "frequency of vocal disruptions"
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Austin and Bevan (2011) study, exhibited by the five males diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The researchers measured and analyzed how often these vocal disruptions occurred under different conditions, specifically during baseline conditions and intervention conditions involving the use of a differential reinforcement of low (DRL) frequency behavior as an interdependent group contingency. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing the frequency of vocal disruptions exhibited by the participants.