Deck 14: Single-Subject Research

Question 1

Single-subject research differs from experimental group research in:

A) using only one subject in the study
B) having better control over internal validity
C) obtaining data on one subject at a time
D) being less time consuming

Answer 1

obtaining data on one subject at a time

Question 2

Single-subject designs are used primarily:

A) when group designs are not appropriate
B) when data collection requires little training
C) in studies involving children
D) when data are collected over time

Answer 2

when group designs are not appropriate

Question 3

The most common instrumentation method in single-subject research is:

A) questionnaire
B) observation
C) testing
D) interviewing

Answer 3

observation

Question 4

The principal method of data analysis in single-subject research is:

A) comparison of averages
B) analysis of line graphs
C) analysis of scatterplots
D) comparison of percentages

Question 5

In single-subject designs, A and B refer, respectively, to:

A) subject A and subject B
B) observer A and observer B
C) baseline and treatment
D) treatment and baseline

Question 6

During the second baseline in A-B-A and A-B-A-B designs, the researcher hopes to see:

A) the curve flatten out parallel to the X axis
B) the curve continue the trend shown in "B"
C) the curve reverse the trend shown in "B"
D) none of the above

Question 7

The importance between the A-B-A and A-B-A-B designs is that the latter:

A) adds a second treatment phase
B) adds a fourth data collection phase
C) requires more time
D) requires shorter phases

Question 8

An advantage of the A-B-A-B design over the A-B-A design is better control of a(n):

A) history threat
B) implementation threat
C) data collector bias
D) instrument decay

Question 9

The major disadvantage of the A-B-A design compared to other single-subject designs relates to:

A) implementation
B) instrumentation
C) generalization
D) ethics

Question 10

The B-A-B design, rather than another single-subject design, is typically used because:

A) data collection is reduced
B) treatment is urgently needed
C) it requires less time
D) the baseline is already known

Question 11

The A-B-C-B design replaces:

A) a treatment phase with a new treatment
B) a baseline phase with a new treatment
C) a treatment phase with a modified treatment
D) a baseline phase with a modified treatment

Question 12

The multiple-baseline design is typically used because:

A) a second baseline is unethical or impossible
B) extraneous conditions are expected to change
C) only one subject is available
D) time is limited

Question 13

Use of a multiple-baseline design requires that:

A) the behaviors studied be distinctly different from one another
B) treatment is introduced at different times for different behaviors
C) the same treatment is used with all behaviors
D) all of the above

Question 14

A major concern in multiple-baseline studies is:

A) keeping the location the same
B) keeping the implementer the same
C) making sure behaviors are independent
D) making sure observers are independent

Question 15

The multiple-baseline design is always used with one:

A) subject
B) behavior
C) setting
D) treatment

Question 16

The number of data points in a phase should be:

A) as many as is practical
B) as many as needed to establish a stable trend
C) no more than five
D) determined by the behavior being studied

Question 17

An important threat to internal validity in single-subject research is:

A) the treatment is contaminated by other variables
B) ineffectiveness of the treatment
C) length of time required for treatment
D) unclear description of treatment

Question 18

Which of the following does not complicate interpretation of single-subject data?

A) Rapid return to baseline performance
B) Slow change during the treatment phase(s)
C) Variation within treatment phase(s)
D) Small change during treatment phase(s)

Question 19

Single-subject designs are least effective in controlling which of the following threats to internal validity?

A) Subject characteristics
B) Testing
C) Location
D) Instrument decay

Question 20

The primary limitation of single-subject research is:

A) unreliability of measures
B) poor control of maturation threat
C) limited generalizability
D) poor control of history threat

Question 21

Matching

-A-B-C-B design

A) "Reversal design
B) 2 baseline and 2 treatment periods
C) 2 treatments with 1 baseline period
D) Changed intervention
E) Unable to withdraw a treatment

Question 22

Matching

-A-B-A-B design

A) "Reversal design
B) 2 baseline and 2 treatment periods
C) 2 treatments with 1 baseline period
D) Changed intervention
E) Unable to withdraw a treatment

Question 23

Matching

-A-B-A design

A) "Reversal design
B) 2 baseline and 2 treatment periods
C) 2 treatments with 1 baseline period
D) Changed intervention
E) Unable to withdraw a treatment

Question 24

Matching

-B-A-B design

A) "Reversal design
B) 2 baseline and 2 treatment periods
C) 2 treatments with 1 baseline period
D) Changed intervention
E) Unable to withdraw a treatment

Question 25

Matching

-Multiple-baseline design

A) "Reversal design
B) 2 baseline and 2 treatment periods
C) 2 treatments with 1 baseline period
D) Changed intervention
E) Unable to withdraw a treatment

Question 26

Data-collector bias in multiple-baseline studies is a minor concern.

Question 27

A location threat is most often the major threat in multiple-baseline studies.

Question 28

The external validity of single-subject research results can be strengthened through replication studies involving other individuals.

Question 29

Condition length refers to the number of data points gathered during a condition.

Question 30

Introducing two or more variables during the intervention condition in a single-subject study confounds the treatment and may lead to erroneous conclusions.