Single-case Research Design Studies Research Articles

Examining the Use of Video Analysis on Teacher Instruction and Teacher Outcomes

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the literature base of single-case research design studies using video analysis to determine its effectiveness on teacher outcomes. Primary, ancestral, citation, and first author searches identified 12,047 dissertations and peer-reviewed articles published from 2010 to 2020. Each study ( n = 24) was scored on its adherence to the What Works Clearinghouse design quality standards. A total of 16 articles were reviewed for statistical analysis, in which a between-case standardized mean difference was used to calculate effect sizes. Results indicate praise ( n = 6; g = 2.66–0.37) and implementation ( n = 6; g = 3.64–1.07) had effect sizes that continue to define video analysis as a promising practice. Recommendations for future practice include improving the methodological rigor of studies and increasing sample size to prove the generalizability of video analysis. Addressing these recommendations will support video analysis becoming an evidence-based practice (EBP) for educator development.

Reviewing Manuscripts Reporting Findings From Single-Case Research Design Studies

This article, part of the Learning Disability Quarterly special series dedicated to single-case research design (SCRD), summarizes the review process and outlines how to provide high-quality SCRD study manuscript reviews. We offer recommendations for the entirety of the review process, including accepting the role of reviewer, evaluating quality of SCRD studies, and, finally, adhering to reporting standards with focused attention on the applied nature of the engaging work that encompasses research in learning disabilities. In addition, we discuss (a) participant and setting description, (b) implementation of particular designs, (c) measurement procedures for dependent variable(s), (d) providing evidence of reliability, (e) graphic display of time-series data, (f) descriptions of results, and (g) acknowledgment of design limitations. We describe the challenges facing SCRD researchers and reviewers engaging in learning disabilities research within applied settings, identify fatal flaws that authors cannot address, and point out omissions that researchers can address through the revision process. Implications for practice, resources, and future directions are shared.

Introduction to a Special Series on Single Research Case Design: Information for Peer Reviewers and Researchers Designing Behavioral Interventions for Students With SLD

This article introduces and describes the two articles that are part of the thematic special series on investigating research questions to improve services for students with specific learning disabilities using single-case research design. The issue includes an article for peer reviewers, which serves as a guide for decision-making and evaluation of single-case research design studies. The other article is intended for researchers interested in designing behavioral interventions for students with specific learning disabilities using single-case research designs. Both articles provide readers with descriptions of methods, approaches, and techniques that lead to high-quality research design.

A 10-Year Systematic Review of Participant Diversity of Single-Case Studies Published in Two Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Research Journals

The field of special education has made great strides in identifying interventions that work. These practices have been described as evidence-based because they were effective across numerous studies. However, scholars in the field are also acutely aware that not all evidence-based practices will be equally effective for all children. Because of this, we sought to gain a better understanding of just who participated in single-case research design studies published in two early childhood journals from 2011 through 2020. Demographics for 267 participants from 67 studies were coded and statistically compared with federal data. Results suggest an overrepresentation of male participants, an overrepresentation of Black children, an overrepresentation of children diagnosed with autism, and an underrepresentation of Hispanic/Latinx children.

Meta-Analysis of Mindfulness-Based Program Soles of the Feet for Disruptive Behaviors.

Mindfulness-based programs are a promising intervention modality for reducing disruptive behavior, and Soles of the Feet (SOF) is one program that teaches internal awareness of personal events (e.g., unpleasant emotions) and a self-regulation strategy to decrease disruptive behaviors. This study conducted a meta-analysis of single-case research design (SCRD) studies that implemented SOF to decrease disruptive behaviors. Existing SOF studies were evaluated using high-quality SCRD standards, resulting in 15 studies included in the analysis (49 participants; mean age 23.12 years (SD = 15.87); highly heterogeneous backgrounds). Studies were analyzed to calculate effect sizes using Tau-U, an innovative non-parametric statistical approach for estimating effect sizes in SCRD studies. The aggregated weighted Tau-U effect size of SOF across all studies was -0.87. Moderator analyses indicated SOF's effectiveness was robust across participant characteristics and delivery formats. This meta-analysis suggests that SOF is a moderately effective evidence-based practice for reducing disruptive behavior.

Practical Use of Single-Case Research Design to Target Improved Behavioral Outcomes for Students With SLD

Intensive academic interventions help address the learning difficulties of students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs). Challenging behaviors exhibited during instruction can have a negative impact on the overall effectiveness of an academic intervention. In addition to academic interventions, students with SLD may benefit from behavioral interventions. One method for evaluating the effect of interventions that target improved behavioral outcomes for students with SLD is single-case research design (SCRD). This article provides an overview of critical features of SCRD studies evaluating behavioral interventions with students with SLD or interventions with teachers of students with SLD. The article also examines how research decisions were made to support other researchers’ development of high-quality SCRD studies.

A Meta-Analysis of Single-Case Research on Applied Behavior Analytic Interventions for People With Down Syndrome.

This systematic review evaluates single-case research design studies investigating applied behavior analytic (ABA) interventions for people with Down syndrome (DS). One hundred twenty-five studies examining the efficacy of ABA interventions on increasing skills and/or decreasing challenging behaviors met inclusion criteria. The What Works Clearinghouse standards and Risk of Bias in N-of-1 Trials scale were used to analyze methodological characteristics, and Tau-U effect sizes were calculated. Results suggest the use of ABA-based interventions are promising for behavior change in people with DS. Thirty-six high-quality studies were identified and demonstrated a medium overall effect. A range of outcomes was targeted, primarily involving communication and challenging behavior. These outcomes will guide future research on ABA interventions and DS.

Evaluation of publication bias in response interruption and redirection: A meta-analysis.

Publication bias is the disproportionate representation of studies with large effects and statistically significant findings in the published research literature. If publication bias occurs in single-case research design studies on applied behavior-analytic (ABA) interventions, it can result in inflated estimates of ABA intervention effects. We conducted an empirical evaluation of publication bias on an evidence-based ABA intervention for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, response interruption and redirection (RIRD). We determined effect size estimates for published and unpublished studies using 3 metrics, percentage of nonoverlapping data (PND), Hedges' g, and log response ratios (LRR). Omnibus effect size estimates across all 3 metrics were positive, supporting that RIRD is an effective treatment for reducing problem behavior maintained by nonsocial consequences. We observed larger PND for published compared to unpublished studies, small and nonsignificant differences in LRR for published compared to unpublished studies, and significant differences in Hedges' g for published compared to unpublished studies, with published studies showing slightly larger effect. We found little, if any, difference in methodological quality between published and unpublished studies. While RIRD appears to be an effective intervention for challenging behavior maintained by nonsocial consequences, our results reflect some degree of publication bias present in the RIRD research literature.

Peer-Mediated Interventions to Address Social Competence Needs of Young Children With ASD: Systematic Review of Single-Case Research Design Studies

We conducted a systematic review and summarized the outcomes of single-case research design studies conducted in the last decade that have implemented peer-mediated interventions (PMI) to address the social competence needs of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) younger than 8 years of age. Eighteen studies with 53 children with ASD were included. Data from those studies were extracted independently by two coders and coded for characteristics of children with ASD, characteristics of peers, characteristics of the intervention, risk of bias, and success estimate. Findings suggest that PMI are effective for increasing interactions between children with ASD and peers but may not be as effective for increasing initiations made by children with ASD or increasing responses made by children with ASD to peers’ initiations. Researchers should prioritize conducting studies that seek to promote positive interactions initiated by children with ASD, possibly by modifying PMI to include preferred stimuli identified through systematic assessments.

A Meta-Analysis of Functional Communication Training Effects on Problem Behavior and Alternative Communicative Responses

We conducted a meta-analysis of single-case research design (SCRD) studies on functional communication training (FCT). First, we used the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Standards to evaluate each study. Next, we calculated effect sizes using Tau-U. Then, we aggregated the effect sizes across the studies to produce an omnibus effect size. Results indicate that more than half of the SCRD studies met the WWC Standards and that FCT was effective in decreasing the level of problem behavior and in increasing the level of the alternative communicative response (ACR), but effectiveness varied according to such factors as type of disability and age. Furthermore, the results of visual analysis corresponded with Tau-U effect sizes in more than half of the cases. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.

Current Perspectives on Interventions for Self-Injurious Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Our purpose in this systematic review was to identify, evaluate, and summarize the single-case research design studies examining behavioral interventions to address self-injurious behavior for young children with autism spectrum disorder. We identified 24 studies published between 2000 and 2016 that met the inclusion criteria. We reviewed and coded each study across five content areas using systematic procedures. These content areas consisted of the methodological quality of single-case research designs, children’s demographic information, conditions under which the intervention was implemented, characteristics of intervention, and outcomes. Our findings indicate that procedural integrity data were reported for only one study and social validity for two studies. The majority of studies were implemented by researchers or therapists in the school setting. For 24 of 30 children included in the studies reviewed, the authors taught a replacement behavior selected on the basis of an assessment conducted prior to intervention. All authors reported a decrease in the self-injurious behavior post-intervention. A limited number of authors examined generalization and maintenance of low rates of self-injurious behavior. Limitations of the present review and future directions and implications for research and practice are discussed.

Publishing Single-Case Research Design Studies That Do Not Demonstrate Experimental Control

Demonstration of experimental control is considered a hallmark of high-quality single-case research design (SCRD). Studies that fail to demonstrate experimental control may not be published because researchers are unwilling to submit these papers for publication and journals are unlikely to publish negative results (i.e., the file drawer effect). SCRD studies comprise a large proportion of intervention research in special education. Consequently, the existing body of research, comprised mainly of studies that show experimental control, may artificially inflate efficacy of interventions. We discuss how experimental control evolved as the standard for high-quality SCRD; why, in the era of evidence-based practice, rigorous studies that fail to fully demonstrate experimental control are important to include in the body of published intervention research; the role of non-replication studies in discovering intervention boundaries; and considerations for researchers who wish to conduct and appraise studies that fail to yield full experimental control.

Using a Technological Augmentation to Enhance Parent-Infant Interactions With Parents at Risk

ABSTRACTEffective parent training programs may need to be tailored for at-risk parents by using simple language, presenting concrete concepts, and simple technologies. We present four single-case research-design studies examining if the use of digital frames enhances parent-infant interactions with a diverse range of mothers with varied levels of risk for maltreatment. Based on self-modeling, the frames contain photographs of mother-infant dyads in posed interactions representing desired criterion behaviors from the parent-infant interaction (PII) module of SafeCare®. Results indicate that the use of inexpensive digital frames appears to enhance already good outcomes of the SafeCare PII module.

医療介護現場におけるシングルケースデザインの普及に向けた課題 : 吉田(2015)・藤(2015)へのリプライ(リプライ,記念シンポジウム)

医療介護現場におけるシングルケースデザインの普及に向けた課題 : 吉田(2015)・藤(2015)へのリプライ(リプライ,記念シンポジウム)

School-Based Peer-Related Social Competence Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis and Descriptive Review of Single Case Research Design Studies

The purpose of this review was to critically examine and summarize the impact of school-based interventions designed to facilitate the peer-related social competence of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Reviewed studies employed a single-case experimental design, targeted peer-related social competence, included children 3-12 years old with an ASD, and took place in school settings. Articles were analyzed descriptively and using the evaluative method to determine study quality. Additionally, effect size estimates were calculated using nonoverlap of all pairs method and Tau-U. A total of 37 studies including 105 children were reviewed. Overall, ES estimates ranged from weak to strong, but on average, the reviewed interventions produced a moderate to strong effect, and quality ratings were generally in the acceptable to high range. Findings suggest that children with ASD can benefit from social skill interventions implemented with peers in school settings.

Effects and Issues in Single-Case Research Design Studies of Care for Elderly People with Dementia(Commemorative Symposium)

Effects and Issues in Single-Case Research Design Studies of Care for Elderly People with Dementia(Commemorative Symposium)

Goal Setting Interventions: Implications for Participants on the Autism Spectrum

Single-case research design studies that included a goal setting component in interventions for a broad array of participants engaged in a learner role were reviewed. A systematic search of the empirical literature identified 38 studies that met the inclusion criteria. These studies were evaluated in terms of participant characteristics, who set the goals (self or other), how goals were incorporated into interventions, type of behavior change goal setting was applied to and whether maintenance and generalization of intervention effects was assessed. Results highlight the potential benefits of including a self-set goal component in interventions aimed at assisting participants across the autism spectrum to achieve independent functioning. An agenda is proposed for future research exploring goal setting for this population.