Single-subject research design methodology in educational practice

¶ … educational setup. We provide an extensive description of this design method with a demonstration of its applicability in the school behavior. We also explain the rationale employed as well as the implementation process that is developed for the school behavior context.

Single subject research is a thorough, scientific methodology that is used in the definition of the various basic principles behaviors that are established via an evidence-based practice. The long history of single-subject research design has made it useful in the provision of useful information in the field of education (Tawney & Gast, 1984; Wolery & Dunlap, 2001).Since its inception; single-subject research has proven to be relevant for the definition of the various educational practices at an individual learner's level.

The Methodology

The methodology employed in the Single-subject research is basically experimental as opposed to being descriptive or correlational.The purpose of this research design can used to investigate causal and functional relationships that exists between dependent and independent variables. The Single-subject research employs both within as well as between-subjects comparisons in order to control the main threats to internal validity. It also requires systematic replication in order to enhance integrity of external validity as pointed out by Martella, Nelson, & Marchand-Martella (1999). There are various critical features that are fundamental to the description of this methodology.

The participants

Single-subject designs usually involve only a single participant. The methodology may however involve multiple participants who are however involved in a single study. It is worth noting that each and every participant in this research design act as his or her own experimental control. The performance of the participants prior to the intervention is then noted and compared to the performance that is recorded during or after the intervention. Most cases of this kind usually involve a participant who is an individual. It is however possible for every participants to form part of a group which generates a single score for every measurement period on their performance (such as the rate of violence amongst students in a classroom during a 10 rain period)

The description of participant and research setting

Single-subject research requires that there is a thorough operational description of all the participants, their setting as well as the process by which the various participants are picked ( Wolery & Ezell, 1993). This is in order to allow for the other researchers to be able to utilize the participants' description as well the settings in order to recruit new participants who have similar participants who exhibit the same settings and characteristics. An example would be the use of description of operational participants in the description of individuals who have a certain mental illness would require that a specific form of mental illness be quoted (such as anxiety disorder, schizophrenic disorder etc.).There is also a need to outline the specific instrument as well as the specific process to be used in order to determine the illness. There is also a need to come up with certain Global description such as the identification of certain participants who are having developmental problems/disabilities is sufficient.

The dependent variable

Single-subject research makes use of dependent variables that are properly defined and appropriately measured. In many instances, the dependent variable in single-subject researches in the field of education is constituted of an observable behavior. The following features:

The dependent variables must be operationally defined in order to allow for (a) achievement of a consistent and valid assessment of the variable (b) The ease of replication of the assessment process. The dependent variable should be able to allow for a direct observation while giving an empirical summary of the research as desired .The dependent variables must be able to present a subjective definition such as the frequency of kind behaviors that lacks the definition of "kind." The variables must also give global description such as the frequency of "violent " actions amongst students that is unacceptable.

The dependent variables are measured in a repeated fashion across specially controlled conditions in order to allow for:

The identification of the performance patterns before the interventions are initiated

Comparison of the performance patterns that exists across various phases and conditions. This repeated measurement of an individual behavior is necessary for the process of comparing the many performances of the various participants with themselves as their controls before the performance. It is worth noting that within each and every experiment phase and condition, there is a need to have sufficient occasions of assessments so as to establish the main pattern of performance under the various conditions.The measurement of behavior of a certain individual under or rather across various conditions and phases allows for the comparison of the patters of performance when subjected to different environmental conditions

The recording of the dependent variable is then assessed for appropriate consistency throughout the experiment through the incorporation into the experiment, frequent monitoring actions. Such include the use if interobserver agreements (such as the percentage of units of observation in which the available independent observers approve of ) or its equivalent.The obtained observers from the interobserver agreements should allow for the assessment of the variables from each participant under each of the conditions of the study.

It is worth noting that the dependent variables are chosen for their social significance.

Independent variable

In a single-subject study, the independent variable is usually the practice, behavioral mechanism being investigated or the intervention. The independent variable in a single-subject research can be defined operationally in order to allow for the valid interpretation of the obtained outcomes and also the replication of the used procedures accurately

In order to document the various experimental controls, it is crucial for the independent variable in a single-subject research to be active as opposed to be passive. This makes it necessary for the researcher to determine the time and period as well as the way in which the independent variable will change.

Fidelity of the independent variable

The implementation of the fidelity of independent variable in the single-subject is usually documented. This is because fidelity is an integral and major concern when it comes to this form of research.This is due to the fact that the independent variable is usually applied over an extended period of time. It is therefore necessary to document the results as well as engaging in continuous direct measurement of all the fluctuations of the independent variable (Gresham, Gansel, & Kurtz, 1993).

Visual analysis

The results of Single-subject research may be interpreted by means of statistical analyses as pointed out by Todman & Dugard (2001).The traditional approach to the analysis of the data used in single-subject research makes use of a systematic visual comparison of various recordings that are obtained within a certain study conditions as outlined by Parsonson & Baer, (1978).The process of documenting the main experimental controls entails the assessment of the entire range conditions that are used in the design. Each of these designs that include reversal, changing criterion, multiple baseline and alternating treatment demands a specific pattern of data to be used in order for the researcher to make acclaim that a certain change in the experiment's dependent variable is strictly a function of a manipulation of the independent variable.

McMillan (2004) points out the following characteristics of a single subject research.

Reliability of measurement-he points out that since the design entails the use of multiple measurements of a certain behavior then it is crucial for the instrumentation used to be extremely reliable. The conditions that surround the process of data collection like the location and time of day must be standardized and the observation must be carried out by trained observers. This is done in order to encourage consistency which is crucial in the periods of transition prior and after the given phenomenon is studied.

Repeated measurements- A given behavior is measured repeatedly. This techniques is never employed in many other experiments that involve the measurement of the dependent variable in only a single instance. The need of the repeated variables is in order to get a clear pattern and consistency in terms of the behavior being monitored over an extended period of time. There is a control for behavior that is anticipated over the short period of time and intervals. Such a move can be seen s similar to the ones involved in time series studies that are used in the investigation of a large group as opposed to individuals.

Description of the conditions: This research design requires a clear and detailed description of the various conditions that are to be used for the measurements. This form of treatment is needed in order to strengthen both the internal and the external validity of the study

Conditions used in the treatment of the base conditions:

Each and every single-subject research involves the use of at least a baseline as well as one treatment condition. The baseline in this case is used in order to refer to the period of time that is used or required in order to observe the target behavior (also referred to as dependent variable).This is followed with recording in real time without the use of any form of interventions. This baseline behavior is then used as a basis of reference against which the other future behaviors can be compared.It is worth noting that the term baseline can also be used in order to refer to the period of time that follows the treatment that involves the matching of the present conditions with original baseline conditions. Treatment condition in this case is the period of time in which there is a manipulation of the experiment. This is introduced when the target behavior is still being observed actively and recorded appropriately. The baseline and the treatment phases must be long enough so as to enable the achievement of stability in terms of the target behavior.

The single-variable rule: The process of carrying out a single-subject study involves the utilization of only one variable that must be exposed to baseline and treatment conditions. This is an interaction in single-subject research. This forms the interaction of a single-subject design

The three mainly accepted forms of single subject design are:

A-B -- A Withdrawal Designs

Multiple-Baseline Designs

Alternating treatments Design

Applicability and significance of single-subject design in classroom management

The fact that this research design can be used in the provision of individualized educational plans and support makes it beneficial since it makes use of systematic form analysis based on experiment (Dunlap & Kern, 1997).Its ability to be used to come up with evidence-based practices makes it appropriate for educators.