Question 1

A stable trend within a phase is defined as a set of observations that ____.
A) cluster around a horizontal line when graphed
B) cluster around a vertical line when graphed
C) cluster around a sloping line when graphed
D) all have exactly the same magnitude

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

Single-case designs ____
A) can be used with small groups of participants
B) cannot establish unambiguous causality
C) do not allow for manipulation of an independent variable
D) have, historically, mostly arisen to evaluate behavioral hypotheses

Accepted Answer

Single-case designs have historically been used to evaluate behavioral hypotheses, particularly in fields like psychology and education, where individual behavior is closely monitored and analyzed.

Question 3

The two phases in a single-case research design are called the _____ and _____ phases
A) experimental; descriptive
B) treatment; replication
C) baseline; treatment
D) manipulation; control

Accepted Answer

The two phases in a single-case research design are the baseline phase, which establishes the participant's initial level of behavior or symptom, and the treatment phase, which introduces an intervention or manipulation to see if it has an effect on the behavior or symptom. Choices A, B, and D are all incorrect because they do not accurately describe the phases in a single-case research design.

Question 4

A stable level within a phase is defined as a set of observations that ____.
A) cluster around a horizontal line when graphed
B) cluster around a line sloping up to the right when graphed
C) cluster around a line sloping down to the right when graphed
D) are distributed equally along both axes

Accepted Answer

A stable level within a phase is characterized by observations that cluster around a horizontal line when graphed. This indicates that the variable being observed is remaining relatively constant during that phase.

Question 5

Averaging over two or three consecutive observations is one method for dealing with ____.
A) trends in the data
B) phase changes
C) unstable data
D) a treatment that has a relatively small effect

Accepted Answer

Averaging over two or three consecutive observations is primarily used to smooth out fluctuations in unstable data, making it easier to observe underlying patterns or trends.

Question 6

A treatment phase is defined as ____.
A) a series of observations made when a treatment is being administered
B) the first observation made after a treatment is administered
C) the amount of change between the final observation before treatment and the first observation after treatment
D) the boundary between pretreatment observations and posttreatment observations

Accepted Answer

A treatment phase typically refers to a period during which a specific treatment or intervention is actively being administered, involving a series of observations to assess the effects of the treatment.

Question 7

Typically, the results from a single-case research study are evaluated using ____.
A) descriptive statistics such as the mean and standard deviation
B) inferential statistics such as a hypothesis test
C) visual inspection of a graph
D) consensus among at least three researchers

Accepted Answer

Single-case research studies typically involve a small sample size (often just one participant), so inferential statistics are not appropriate. Instead, visual inspection of a graph is commonly used to determine whether a meaningful change has occurred over time. This involves looking at the level, trend, and variability of the data both before and after an intervention is introduced. Descriptive statistics may also be used to summarize the data, but they are not typically used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Consensus among researchers can be helpful in interpreting the results, but it is not a formal statistical method. Therefore, the best choice for evaluating the results of a single-case research study is C) visual inspection of a graph.

Question 8

In a single-case design when no treatment is being administered, the observations are called ____ observations.
A) no-treatment
B) baseline
C) treatment
D) random

Accepted Answer

In a single-case design, the baseline observations are taken when no treatment is being administered to establish the participants' behavior or condition before any intervention. The baseline serves as a comparison for the observations taken during and after treatment. Therefore, the correct answer is B, baseline observations.

Question 9

When the observations in the initial baseline phase show a trend in the direction of improved behavior, the researcher should ____.
A) administer the treatment immediately
B) manipulate the environment until the change stops
C) increase the intensity of the treatment
D) refrain from introducing the treatment

Accepted Answer

When the observations in the initial baseline phase show a trend in the direction of improved behavior, the researcher should refrain from introducing the treatment. This is because the improvement may be due to other factors such as regression to the mean, and introducing the treatment may lead to false conclusions about the effectiveness of the treatment. Instead, the researcher should continue to observe the behavior in the baseline phase to confirm the trend before introducing the treatment.

Question 10

In single-case research, what is the definition of a phase change?
A) The point at which the subject begins to show a response to the treatment
B) The point at which the treatment begins to lose effectiveness
C) The point at which the treatment is switched from one subject to another
D) A change from baseline to treatment or from treatment to baseline

Accepted Answer

A phase change is a shift from one condition (baseline or treatment) to another. It can be either from baseline to treatment or from treatment to baseline. This change is used to assess the effects of the treatment, and it marks a new stage in the experiment. Therefore, answer D is the correct definition of a phase change.

Question 11

What is one way that single-case studies control outside variables?
A) Making a series of observations over time
B) Waiting to measure behavior until after treatment
C) Using statistical tests to determine significance
D) Using a no-treatment control group for comparison

Accepted Answer

Single-case studies control outside variables by making a series of observations over time. By repeatedly measuring the behavior of the individual over time, researchers can help ensure that changes in behavior are not simply due to random fluctuations or external factors. This allows the researcher to attribute any observed changes in behavior to the manipulation or intervention being studied. Waiting to measure behavior until after treatment, using statistical tests to determine significance, and using a no-treatment control group for comparison are all techniques used in other types of study designs.

Question 12

In a graph of single-case research data, a clear indication of a treatment effect is a ____.
A) delay between the time the phase is changed and the time behavior begins to change
B) large, immediate change in pattern
C) continuation of the same average level from one phase to the next
D) gradual change in behavior

Accepted Answer

A large, immediate change in pattern is a clear indication of a treatment effect in a graph of single-case research data. This type of change is often referred to as a "jump" and is a strong indicator that the treatment had a significant impact on the behavior being measured. Delayed changes, gradual changes, or continuation of the same level of behavior do not necessarily indicate a treatment effect.

Question 13

In single-case research, a group of observations of the same individual under the same conditions is known as a ____.
A) time series
B) phase
C) sequence
D) data set

Accepted Answer

In single-case research, a group of observations of the same individual under the same conditions is referred to as a phase. This term is used to describe a consistent condition or treatment applied to the subject.

Question 14

To establish a pattern within a phase and determine the stability of the data within a phase, researchers must make at least _____ observations within that phase.
A) three
B) six
C) ten
D) twelve

Accepted Answer

Researchers typically need at least three observations to establish a pattern and assess stability within a phase.

Question 15

At what point is a phase change appropriate?
A) After the first observation in the current phase
B) After at least ten observations in the current phase
C) When the participant shows the first response to the treatment
D) When the participant shows a clear and stable pattern of behavior

Accepted Answer

A phase change is appropriate when the participant shows a clear and stable pattern of behavior. This ensures that any observed changes in behavior can be attributed to the treatment and not to other factors. A single observation is not sufficient to establish a stable pattern, and a minimum of ten observations may not be enough to detect a true pattern. Waiting until the participant responds to the treatment may result in missing important changes in behavior that occur before the response. Therefore, the best option is to wait until a clear and stable pattern emerges before making a phase change.

Question 16

What name is given to a single-case design consisting of the following four phases in the order given: baseline, treatment, baseline, treatment?
A) BABA design
B) ABA design
C) ABAB design
D) BTBT design

Accepted Answer

The design described is a classic ABAB design, also known as a withdrawal design or reversal design. This design involves measuring behavior during a baseline phase, introducing a treatment or intervention, removing the treatment to return to another baseline phase, and then reintroducing the treatment to determine the effect of the intervention. The ABAB design is often used in single-subject research to determine the effectiveness of interventions for individuals.

Question 17

In a single-case experimental design, if there is low variability from one observation to the next within a phase, the data are ____.
A) stable
B) unstable
C) statistically significant
D) visually significant

Accepted Answer

Low variability indicates that the data points are consistent and not fluctuating much within a phase, which is a sign of stability. Unstable data would show more fluctuations from one observation to the next. Statistical or visual significance cannot be determined solely based on variability.

Question 18

One way in which single-case research is like most other experimental designs is that ____.
A) means are compared with traditional tests for significance
B) pre- and posttest scores are always compared
C) they provide detailed descriptions of single individuals
D) they are capable of determining cause-and-effect relationships

Accepted Answer

Single-case research, like most other experimental designs, is capable of determining cause-and-effect relationships. This is because it involves manipulating the independent variable and observing the effect on the dependent variable, which allows researchers to draw conclusions about the causal relationship between the two variables.

Question 19

In single-case research, unstable data ____.
A) make differences between treatment phases and baseline phases clear
B) make it possible to define a pattern within a phase
C) make it impossible to determine whether a change in phases produces a change in pattern
D) make it easier to prove a causal relationship

Accepted Answer

Unstable data make it difficult to determine whether a change in phases is responsible for changes in the pattern of behavior, which makes it difficult to make causal claims. A and B are not as accurate because unstable data can make it harder to distinguish between treatment and baseline phases or to identify patterns within a phase. D is incorrect because unstable data do not make it easier to prove a causal relationship.

Question 20

The goal of single-case research is to ____.
A) provide a detailed description of a single individual
B) describe variables as the exist naturally
C) describe the relationship between variables
D) determine cause-and-effect relationships between variables

Accepted Answer

The goal of single-case research is to determine cause-and-effect relationships between variables by manipulating the independent variable and observing its effect on the dependent variable within a single individual.

Quiz 14: Single-Case Experimental Research Designs

A stable trend within a phase is defined as a set of observations that ____.

Single-case designs ____

The two phases in a single-case research design are called the _ and _ phases

A stable level within a phase is defined as a set of observations that ____.

Averaging over two or three consecutive observations is one method for dealing with ____.

A treatment phase is defined as ____.

Typically, the results from a single-case research study are evaluated using ____.

In a single-case design when no treatment is being administered, the observations are called ____ observations.

When the observations in the initial baseline phase show a trend in the direction of improved behavior, the researcher should ____.

In single-case research, what is the definition of a phase change?

What is one way that single-case studies control outside variables?

In a graph of single-case research data, a clear indication of a treatment effect is a ____.

In single-case research, a group of observations of the same individual under the same conditions is known as a ____.

To establish a pattern within a phase and determine the stability of the data within a phase, researchers must make at least _____ observations within that phase.

At what point is a phase change appropriate?

What name is given to a single-case design consisting of the following four phases in the order given: baseline, treatment, baseline, treatment?

In a single-case experimental design, if there is low variability from one observation to the next within a phase, the data are ____.

One way in which single-case research is like most other experimental designs is that ____.

In single-case research, unstable data ____.

The goal of single-case research is to ____.