1. Unit 8: Single-Subject Designs Chat until class starts

2. Unit 8 Assignments Reading: Ch. 11, pp. 338-343 Chapter 12 Seminar: We will discuss developmental designs and single-subject designs. Discussion: You need to answer both discussion questions in a response of at least 350 words or longer. Also, provide a minimum of 2 thoughtful responses per thread (4 total) to other student posts that are at least 75 words.

3. Longitudinal Design Cross-Sectional Design – Several participants from different age groups – Advantages and Disadvantages of this design Longitudinal Design – Follow one group of participants over time – Advantages and Disadvantages of this design Cohort-Sequential Design – Combine 2 developmental designs & looks at generation effects

4. Single-Subject Designs Why Use Single-Subject Designs? – Problems involved because of variance between participants – This method works because of the following: 1) large no. of observations from 1 participant, 2) rigid control of variables, and 3) focus on effects of powerful variables – Three types of single-subject designs: 1) Baseline, 2) Dynamic, and 3) Discrete Trials

5. Baseline Design Explanation Baseline: Start out by creating a behavioral baseline until stability criterion is met Intervention: Expose participant to each experimental condition a couple times Reversal: Back to Baseline Issues with Baseline Designs Uncontrolled Variability Problem Baselines Other Issues Types of Single-Subject Baseline Designs

6. Dynamic & Discrete Trial Designs Dynamic Design Explanation Focus on moment-by-moment changes of participants. Continuously varying independent variable Discrete Trials Design Emphasis on the performance of a single individual Several behavior measures are averaged to provide a gauge of behavior over different treatment conditions

7. Advantages & Disadvantages of Single-Subject Designs  Inferential Statistics & Single-Subject Designs  Advantages Intensive investigation of a single individual & adjustment of variables Can lead to new discoveries Causal relationships can be established  Disadvantages Intensive investigation of individual & long-term time commitment Inappropriate for many research applications Carryover effects Problems with internal validity Trouble controlling extraneous variables Limited Generality