An introduction to single-subject experimental designs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v12i1.9537Keywords:
experimentation, single-subject designs, reversal design, multiple baseline design, changing criterion designAbstract
Single-subject designs are the experimental designs of choice for many behavior researchers. The purpose of the present article is to present the basic features of single-subject designs. In order to do so, the related concepts of experimentation, independent, dependent, and extraneous variables and the stages that comprise an experiment are introduced. A definition of experimental design is presented and the two most common research strategies are described: group (or between-subjects) designs and single-subject designs. The basic differences between the two strategies are presented. The main characteristics of single-subject designs and the most common single-subject designs are presented with emphasis on the strategy of steady states. Reverse designs, multiple baseline designs, changing criterion designs, and probe designs are described, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the possibility of mixed experimental designs is also discussed.
Keywords: experimentation; single-subject designs; reversal design; multiple baseline design; changing criterion design.
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