Applying Single-Subject Research Methodologies
1. Read through these scenarios. Each scenario corresponds to one of the single-subject research methods commonly employed by behavior analysts.
Scenario 1 – Multiple Baseline Design: Suppose you have two preschool students who engage in disruptive behavior in the classroom, and you want to evaluate an intervention to decrease the disruptive behavior. Describe how you would use a multiple baseline across subjects design to evaluate the intervention in this scenario.
Scenario 2 – Withdrawal Design: Juan acts out in class and makes jokes at inappropriate times. The teacher believes that he is exhibiting this behavior to gain her attention. How would you use a withdrawal design to determine if, in fact, Juan is trying to gain the teacher’s attention?
Scenario 3 – Alternative Treatments Design: Susan is trying to develop an exercise routine for herself. She wants to determine if she does better sticking to a routine if she participates regularly in a structured class, or if she exercises alone using equipment she has in the home, like workout videos, weight bench, bicycle, et cetera. How would you use an alternating treatment design to determine which type of exercise routine is most effective for Susan?
Scenario 4 – Changing Criterion Design: Bob is a heavy smoker. He has chosen to try to stop smoking gradually instead of cold turkey. He has set a quit date for the end of the month. How would Bob use a changing criterion design to help track his progress as he attempts to quit smoking.
2. Complete the following for each scenario:
Describe how you would apply that design to achieve the desired results.
Justify your proposed application process by citing a recent peer-reviewed article that effectively demonstrates a similar application of that methodology.
3. Select one of the scenarios and design a graph that will depict the results of the application of the research to the identified problem.
