> There is such a thing as Single-subject design,where the individual
> is used as his or her own control.
> Take this example:
> Pre- have a headache X (IV) drink a cup of cactus tea Y (dv)
> given by the witch doctor headache gone
>
> Now a between groups design may not provide such evidence.
>
>
> Michael Sylvester
> Daytona Beach,Florida
This is not really a single case design -- I see no baseline; just a treatment.
At a minimum you'd need two conditions:
A -- drink a cup of non-cactus tea given by the witch doctor when headache.
B -- drink a cup of cactus tea given by the witch doctor when headache.
A -- drink a cup of non-cactus tea given by the witch doctor when headache.
This would be the minimal A-B-A single case design.
It would be better to add a second 'B' condition to make it a reversal.
Even better would be to do a multiple baseline study across situations.
After a few replications (both direct and systematic), we might have some
confidence in either the tea or the witch doctor. You'd need the multiple
baseline design to separate the witch doctor from the tea.
The definitive reference on single case experimental designs is:
Strategies and tactics of behavioral research
J.M. Johnston, H.S. Pennypacker.
2nd ed.
Hillsdale, N.J.: L. Erlbaum Associates, 1993.
* PAUL K. BRANDON [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
* Psychology Dept Minnesota State University, Mankato *
* 23 Armstrong Hall, Mankato, MN 56001 ph 507-389-6217 *
* http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/psych/welcome.html *
