Statistical Analysis for Single Subject Research Designs

Abstract

Single subject research has long been employed to evaluate intervention effectiveness with students with learning or behavioral disabilities. Typically, the results of single subject research are presented on graphic displays and analyzed by a method of visual inspection, in which analysts simultaneously consider such data elements as level change, slope change, and variability in baseline and treatment data. However, over the years several concerns regarding visual inspection have emerged, including relatively low inter-rater reliabilities. This chapter reviews the arguments in favor of visual inspection as an analytic tool, and also summarizes the arguments favoring statistical analysis of single case data. The use of randomization tests is recommended, and an example is provided of its use in research with students with learning and behavioral disorders.

Citation

Scruggs, T.E., Mastropieri, M.A. and Regan, K.S. (2006), "Statistical Analysis for Single Subject Research Designs", Scruggs, T.E. and Mastropieri, M.A. (Ed.) Applications of Research Methodology (Advances in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 33-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-004X(06)19002-3