Suppose you obtained the following results in an ABAB design assessing the effectiveness of family therapy in reducing a child's temper tantrums. Which interpretations is/are plausible?
A) History could NOT have caused the change.
B) The intervention may have been effective, but with irreversible effects.
C) History is the only plausible cause of the change.
D) Maturation caused the change.

Question

​Suppose you obtained the following results in an ABAB design assessing the effectiveness of family therapy in reducing a child's temper tantrums. Which interpretations is/are plausible? 
A) ​History could NOT have caused the change. 
B) The intervention may have been effective, but with irreversible effects.​ 
C) History is the only plausible cause of the change.​ 
D) Maturation caused the change.​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the results show a clear change from baseline to intervention periods and then back to baseline, it is unlikely that history or maturation are the sole causes of the change. Therefore, option A and D are ruled out. However, we cannot definitively conclude that the intervention was effective, as there may be other factors that contributed to the change in behavior during the intervention period. Additionally, the return to baseline during the second baseline period suggests that any effects of the intervention may have been temporary or reversible. Option C is also ruled out as it oversimplifies the potential causes of the change.

​Suppose You Obtained the Following Results in an ABAB Design

Suppose You Obtained the Following Results in an ABAB Design