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Single Case Research Design

SCRDS C

R D

Richard S. Balkin, Kish Cumi, Shaun Sowell, Emily Rock, Therron Rogers, & Chaiqua Harris

University of Louisvillerichard.balkin@louisville.edu

+What are Single Case Research Designs?

Category of experimental behavior research

Investigates causal or functional relationships

Independent variables (IVs)

Dependent variables (DVs)

Functional relationship

+Why use Single Case Research Designs? Evaluation and Assessment

Empirically Supported Treatments/Evidence-Based Practices

Accountability

Effective

Data Sharing

Small Data Sets

+Examples of Possible Independent Variables: Individual counseling

Group counseling

Reinforcement

Rewards

Punishment

Change of seating arrangement

+Examples of Possible Dependent Variables: Student’s social interactions

Student’s behavior

Frequency of outbursts in class

Frequency of homework

Academic performance

+How to begin . . .

Identify the behavior to be addressed (DV)

Objective

Clear

Complete

+How to begin . . .

Identify the dimension of the behavior to be measured

Frequency of the behavior

Duration of the behavior

Intensity of the behavior

Multiple dimensions

+Measurement Procedure

Selecting measurement procedure

Characteristics of setting

Target behavior and dimension to be addressed

Nature of intervention

Resources available

+Types of Measurement

Permanent products

Observational recordings

+Observation

Observe and record baseline

Understanding of behavior (pre-intervention)

Frequency of behavior

Predicted frequency of behavior

+Implementation

Implement intervention(s)

Continue to gather data

Assessment of validity

+Reporting

Sample size

Record multiple baselines

Use reliable measures

Report reliability/validity of measures

+References

Lenz, A.S. (2013). Calculating effect size in single-case research: A comparison of nonoverlap methods. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 46, 64-73. Doi:10.1177/0748175612456401

O’Neil, R.E., McDonnell, J.J., Billingsley, F.F., & Jenson, W.R. (2011). Single case research designs in educational and community settings. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.