Unit 8: Single-Subject Designs
Longitudinal, cross-sectional, and cohort-sequential designs play crucial roles in developmental research. This presentation highlights the benefits and drawbacks of single-subject designs, including baseline, dynamic, and discrete trials. Attendees will gain insights into the advantages and limitations of these designs in establishing causal relationships. The discussion will also cover the challenges and considerations necessary for effectively implementing single-subject research methods, providing a comprehensive understanding of their application in various research contexts.
Unit 8: Single-Subject Designs
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Presentation Transcript
Unit 8: Single-Subject Designs Chat until class starts
Unit 8 Assignments • Reading: Ch. 11, pp. 338-343 Chapter 12 • Seminar: We will discuss developmental designs and single-subject designs. • Discussion: You need to answer both discussion questions in a response of at least 350 words or longer. Also, provide a minimum of 2 thoughtful responses per thread (4 total) to other student posts that are at least 75 words.
Longitudinal Design • Cross-Sectional Design • Several participants from different age groups • Advantages and Disadvantages of this design • Longitudinal Design • Follow one group of participants over time • Advantages and Disadvantages of this design • Cohort-Sequential Design • Combine 2 developmental designs & looks at generation effects
Single-Subject Designs Why Use Single-Subject Designs? • Problems involved because of variance between participants • This method works because of the following: 1) large no. of observations from 1 participant, 2) rigid control of variables, and 3) focus on effects of powerful variables • Three types of single-subject designs: 1) Baseline, 2) Dynamic, and 3) Discrete Trials
Baseline Design Explanation • Baseline: Start out by creating a behavioral baseline until stability criterion is met • Intervention: Expose participant to each experimental condition a couple times • Reversal: Back to Baseline Issues with Baseline Designs • Uncontrolled Variability • Problem Baselines • Other Issues Types of Single-Subject Baseline Designs
Dynamic & Discrete Trial Designs Dynamic Design Explanation • Focus on moment-by-moment changes of participants. • Continuously varying independent variable Discrete Trials Design • Emphasis on the performance of a single individual • Several behavior measures are averaged to provide a gauge of behavior over different treatment conditions
Advantages & Disadvantages of Single-Subject Designs • Inferential Statistics & Single-Subject Designs • Advantages • Intensive investigation of a single individual & adjustment of variables • Can lead to new discoveries • Causal relationships can be established • Disadvantages • Intensive investigation of individual & long-term time commitment • Inappropriate for many research applications • Carryover effects • Problems with internal validity • Trouble controlling extraneous variables • Limited Generality
