SINGLE SUBJECT RESEARCH DESIGN -WORKSHEET

I
  • Select a research question that can be answered by a single subject design. State question in a simple, nontechnical sentence.

    II

  • Identify potential subjects.
  • Is SSR feasible in this patient?
  • Does the treatment intervention have a relatively rapid onset?
  • Is an optimal duration of treatment feasible?
  • Can clinically relevant targets be measured?
  • Can sensible criteria for stopping the study be established?
  • Is a run-in period necessary to establish a baseline?

    III

  • Is the study feasible in the practice setting?
  • What resources are necessary to implement and complete the study?

    IV

  • Is the study ethical?

    V

  • Is there related work on the case, condition, or treatment being studied?
  • List questions you hope are already answered by previous research.
  • List likely sources of information.

    VI

  • Select the appropriate single-subject design.

    __ Pre-experimental design using diary or calendar method
    __ Single-case experimental design
    __ AB
    __ ABAB
    __ Multiple-baseline designs
    __ Randomized single-case design (N=1)

    The selection of an appropriate research design will depend upon the research question, the nature of the intervention, and the outcome measure(s).

    VII

  • Describe the nature, frequency and duration of treatment intervention(s) to be used in the study.
  • Outline the number, length, and sequence of treatment periods.
  • Are there washout periods between treatment intervention(s)?

    VIII

  • Describe baseline and outcome measures.
  • What is to be measured?
  • What instruments are going to be used to make measurements?
  • What instruments are going to be used to make measurements?
  • What is the reliability, validity, responsiveness, and feasibility of the instruments?

    IX

  • List and describe the data collection form to be used in the study.

    X

  • Describe the analysis to be used in your single-case study.

  • Does the visual analysis of graphed data include changes in mean, level and trend; and latency of the change.?
  • If descriptive statistics are to be used, are the appropriate statistical tests being studied? Describe.

    ]. Identify the limitations of the study.

    [. Outline the format for reporting study results. Describe how summary data tables and graphs will be used in presenting results.

    Provided by Alan Adams, D.C.
    Chairman of the Research Division
    Los Angeles College of Chiropractic