Question 1

Which of the following is true about the current state of study of individual subjects?

Accepted Answer

The passage indicates that scientific studies of individual subjects have become more methodologically sophisticated compared to earlier times. Options A, C and D are not supported by the passage as they present the opposite or unrelated information. Option A suggests that therapeutic professions are being challenged due to inadequacies of uncontrolled case studies, whereas the passage only states that uncontrolled case studies have limitations. Option C suggests that uncontrolled case studies are preferred over single-subject experimental designs, which is not mentioned in the passage. Option D suggests that descriptive and inferential statistics encourage group comparisons, which is unrelated to the current state of study of individual subjects.

Question 2

In the past, observations in uncontrolled case studies were often made in retrospect.

Accepted Answer

Observations in uncontrolled case studies were often made in retrospect, looking back on past events rather than measuring or manipulating variables in real time.

Question 3

Group experimental designs are more suited to testing novel research methodologies than are single-subject designs.

Accepted Answer

Group experimental designs are typically used to compare outcomes between different groups, making them ideal for testing the effectiveness of interventions across populations. Single-subject designs, however, are more suited for testing novel research methodologies because they allow for detailed observation of individual responses over time, making it easier to identify the effects of a new method.

Question 4

Which of the following is true of a randomized AB design?

Accepted Answer

A randomized AB design involves randomly assigning participants to either an A (baseline) or B (intervention) phase. Carryover effects can occur when the effects of a previous phase carry over into the next phase, potentially affecting the results. Factorial analysis of variance can be used to test for interaction effects between phases and determine if carryover effects are present. Therefore, statement A is true. The other statements are false.

Question 5

Findings obtained with groups are always more generalizable than those obtained with an individual case.

Accepted Answer

Findings obtained with individual cases are more unique and specific, whereas findings obtained with groups may be influenced by factors such as sample selection, group heterogeneity, and group dynamics. Therefore, findings obtained with individual cases may have limited generalizability, but may provide valuable insights into specific phenomena.

Question 6

According to Webb, Campbell, Schwartz, and Sechrest, the convergence of data from multiple sources and multiple observations over time from an intensive single-subject quantitative design is called standardization.

Accepted Answer

The convergence of data from multiple sources and multiple observations over time from an intensive single-subject quantitative design is called triangulation. Standardization involves establishing a standard procedure or protocol for conducting a study or measurement.

Question 7

Single observations during the baseline phase and the intervention phase are sufficient in the AB design.

Accepted Answer

Single observations during baseline and intervention are typically not enough to establish a clear pattern of behavior change, as they may be affected by extraneous factors or measurement error. Replication and multiple measures are important to establish a reliable change in behavior.

Question 8

A disadvantage of the intensive single-subject design is that experimenters may find what they expected to find and overlook information that is contrary to their expectations.

Accepted Answer

This is a potential disadvantage of the intensive single-subject design. The experimenter's own biases and expectations can influence their interpretation of the data and lead them to overlook alternative explanations or results.

Question 9

In the context of single-subject experimental designs, the AB design _____.

Accepted Answer

The AB design involves a baseline phase (A) followed by a treatment or intervention phase (B), with multiple observations over time to assess changes, which aligns with the description of a time-series format providing greater stability over time.

Question 10

Which of the following is an advantage of single subject designs?

Accepted Answer

Single subject designs allow for the identification of specific mechanisms of change in individual cases, which can lead to a deeper understanding of how change occurs. This is an advantage over group designs, which may not be able to isolate individual factors contributing to change.

Question 11

Which of the following is a difference between the types of AB designs?

Accepted Answer

In an AB design, there is no withdrawal of treatment as it involves only one phase of treatment. However, in an ABAB design, the treatment is withdrawn and then reintroduced in a subsequent phase, allowing for the evaluation of the effect of the treatment on the behavior. The other options (A, B, and D) are incorrect as they either contain inaccuracies or do not distinguish between the different types of AB designs.

Question 12

Which of the following is a difference between ABAB designs and multiple-baseline designs?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between ABAB designs and multiple-baseline designs is the way in which causality is established. In ABAB designs, the intervention is systematically introduced and withdrawn, allowing for a comparison of behavior with and without the intervention. In multiple-baseline designs, the intervention is applied to different dependent measures at different times, and the change in behavior is compared across these measures to determine if the intervention is causing the change. Therefore, B is the correct answer as it accurately describes this difference. A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the difference between the two designs.

Question 13

Which of the following is the difference between intensive single-subject designs and single-subject experimental designs?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between intensive single-subject designs and single-subject experimental designs is the manipulation of the independent variable. In intensive single-subject designs, the independent variable is only observed, while in single-subject experimental designs, the independent variable is manipulated. Option A is incorrect because both designs can use qualitative and quantitative data. Option B is incorrect since both designs can involve multiple observations. Option C is incorrect because both designs can be used to test a theory or establish relationships between variables.

Question 14

Single-subject designs involve a longitudinal perspective achieved by repeated observations or measurements of the variable.

Accepted Answer

Single-subject designs involve repeated observations over time, making it a longitudinal design.

Question 15

Which of the following is true of single-subject experimental designs?

Accepted Answer

Single-subject experimental designs typically involve multiple treatment phases to demonstrate change due to the independent variable. Additionally, these designs involve collection of data over time, making them longitudinal in nature rather than cross-sectional. While they may involve collection of data points before and after interventions, this is not the defining feature of these designs. Finally, single-subject experimental designs typically do not produce findings that can be easily generalized to other individuals or situations, as they are based on the unique characteristics of the individual participant and the specific intervention being studied.

Question 16

In a single-subject experimental design, a researcher must obtain stable and accurate assessment of the dependent variable before the introduction of an intervention in order to compare the two phases.

Accepted Answer

This is true; obtaining stable and accurate assessment of the dependent variable before the introduction of an intervention is crucial in ensuring the validity of the comparison between the baseline phase and the intervention phase in a single-subject experimental design.

Question 17

In the context of the historical development of single-subject designs, which of the following took place at the beginning of the 20^th century?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the context of the historical development...

Question 18

When psychology was initially developing into a science, the first experiments were performed on individual subjects.

Accepted Answer

The early experiments in psychology were typically performed on individual subjects, such as in Wilhelm Wundt's laboratory in the late 19th century.

Question 19

In 2005, the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives adopted a policy on what constitutes empirical-based practice in psychology.

Accepted Answer

The American Psychological Association Council of Representatives did adopt a policy on what constitutes empirical-based practice in psychology in 2005.

Question 20

Which of the following is true about the uncontrolled case study?

Accepted Answer

The uncontrolled case study does not have a control group for comparison, so it can be difficult to interpret clear findings and draw cause-effect conclusions. It is also limited in its generalizability since it only looks at one individual or group in a specific situation. Choices A, C, and D do not accurately describe the uncontrolled case study.

Quiz 15: Single-Subject Designs: Learning From the Richness of a Sample Size of 1