Consistent Methodological Errors Observed in Single-Case Studies: Suggested Guidelines

This article reviews current and consistent methodological problems that occur in research articles using single-case experimental designs. Problems discussed include (1) the use of pre- and quasi-experimental single-case designs, (2) the presentation and analysis of data, (3) the lack or inadequate demonstration of experimental reliability, and (4) the improper or ineffective use of generalization. The authors suggest ways of solving these problems and provide guidelines for avoiding their recurrence.

[1]  D H Barlow,et al.  Single-Case Experimental Designs: Uses in Applied Clinical Research , 1973 .

[2]  William Addison Neiswanger Elementary statistical methods : as applied to business and economic data , 1944 .

[3]  R V Hall,et al.  Teachers and parents as researchers using multiple baseline designs. , 1970, Journal of applied behavior analysis.

[4]  E. Edgington Statistical inference from N--1 experiments. , 1967, The Journal of psychology.

[5]  Robert P. Hawkins,et al.  Reliability Scores That Delude: An Alice in Wonderland Trip Through the Misleading Characteristics of Inter-Observer Agreement Scores in Interval Recording. , 1973 .

[6]  Hans H. Strupp,et al.  Changing frontiers in the science of psychotherapy , 1972 .

[7]  J Michael,et al.  Statistical inference for individual organism research: mixed blessing or curse? , 1974, Journal of applied behavior analysis.

[8]  R. R. Jones,et al.  Time-series analysis in operant research. , 1977, Journal of applied behavior analysis.

[9]  Vincent B. Van Hasselt,et al.  Applications of single case experimental designs toresearch with the visually impaired , 1981 .

[10]  A. Bandura Principles of behavior modification , 1969 .

[11]  D M Baer,et al.  Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. , 1968, Journal of applied behavior analysis.

[12]  Janet D. Elashoff,et al.  6 – Choosing a Statistical Method for Analysis of an Intensive Experiment , 1978 .

[13]  Thomas R. Kratochwill,et al.  Single Subject Research: Strategies for Evaluating Change , 1978 .

[14]  H. Leitenberg The use of single-case methodology in psychotherapy research. , 1973, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[15]  Alan E. Kazdin,et al.  Assessing the Clinical or Applied Importance of Behavior Change through Social Validation , 1977 .

[16]  J C Birkimer,et al.  A graphical judgmental aid which summarizes obtained and chance reliability data and helps assess the believability of experimental effects. , 1979, Journal of applied behavior analysis.

[17]  J. Chassan Research design in clinical psychology and psychiatry , 1967 .

[18]  B. S. Parsonson,et al.  2 – The Analysis and Presentation of Graphic Data , 1978 .

[19]  Alan E. Kazdin,et al.  On resolving ambiguities of the multiple-baseline design: Problems and recommendations , 1975 .

[20]  R. Senf Tactics of Scientific Research: Evaluating Experimental Data in Psychology , 1962 .

[21]  Effects of Training on Nonverbal and Verbal Behaviors of Congenitally Blind Adults , 1979 .

[22]  D. Barlow,et al.  Single Case Experimental Designs: Strategies for Studying Behavior Change , 1976 .

[23]  H. Hops,et al.  Use of normative peer data as a standard for evaluating classroom treatment effects. , 1976, Journal of applied behavior analysis.

[24]  M. Wolf,et al.  Social validity: the case for subjective measurement or how applied behavior analysis is finding its heart. , 1978, Journal of applied behavior analysis.