Assignment task:
Respond to at least two colleagues by providing respectful feedback on their chosen design for their single-subject design study with their client. Identify one benefit or drawback of the approach they have identified and explain why.
Use the Learning Resources to support your posts. Make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.
1-LEA-
Define single-subject design and identify two strengths and two limitations
Single-Subject Design (SSD) is a research method commonly used in social work, psychology, and education, where the subject (or case) serves as their own control. The focus is on the individual rather than a group, and the intervention's effectiveness is assessed by repeatedly measuring the behavior or outcome of interest both before and after the treatment. This design is particularly useful in practice settings to evaluate the impact of interventions on individual clients (Dudley, 2020). One strength is that SSD is ideal for practice settings where interventions are personalized and tailored to individual clientele. The design allows for detailed observation and analysis of how a specific intervention impacts a particular individual. Another strength is SSD provides real-time data, which allows practitioners to adjust interventions as needed, ensuring the approach is effective for the client throughout the process as the process is being monitored. One limitation maybe that SSD focuses on one individual or a small number of subjects, it is difficult to generalize the findings to a broader population, limiting the external validity of the results. Another limitation maybe the subjectivity in interpretation on data collection in SSDs, especially when relying on observational measures. Bias or external factors might influence how changes in behavior are interpreted.
Describe and assess the study design in the provided research article
The studies by Gee et al. (2021) employed the A-B-A-B single-subject design, a method often used to determine the effectiveness of an intervention by comparing baseline (A) and intervention (B) phases repeatedly. This approach allows researchers to observe patterns of change when an intervention is introduced, withdrawn, and then reintroduced.
Suppose you would like to evaluate the outcomes of your chosen EBP intervention on your client from Week 1 (Tiffani, Jake, or Paula). How would you do so? Which single-subject design (e.g., AB, ABC, ABAB, BAB) would you choose and why?
In Tiffani's case, I would start by establishing a baseline (A) to assess her emotional and behavioral responses to trauma without any intervention. After gathering this initial data, I would introduce an intervention (B), such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), aimed at addressing her trauma and attachment issues. Following the intervention, I would withdraw it (A) to observe whether her progress is maintained or if there is any regression in her responses. Reintroducing the intervention (B) would then help verify its effectiveness in supporting her healing and recovery (Gee et al., 2021).
2-TAM-
Define single-subject design and identify two strengths and two limitations.
Dudley (2020) defines a single-subject design as a tool that is used to measure the relationship between the clients' outcomes and the interventions put in place. This tool uses a one client system and has several implementation options that all have a baseline and intervention phase. The variation of the implementation is due to the processes used to monitor and adjust the study. The information gathered from the study is used to help the clinician and clients have visual representation of the intervention and its effectiveness using graphs.
One strength to using this type of design is that due to the size of the study it gives information to the clinician if the interventions identified are working for the client. It also allows the clinician the ability to adjust the intervention and continue the study for the client to see if the change is successful. A limitation to this type of study includes the inability to control external variables that might influence the study, as the controlled portion of the study can be subjective.
Describe and assess the study design in the provided research article.
The study design for the Weighted Blankets and Sleep Quality in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Gee et al., 2021) was a single subject design study focusing on the use of weighted blankets to increase the quality of sleep with children on the autism spectrum through the ABA process. This study looked to correlate if the use of the blanket reduces the sensory issues related to sleeping issues. The study set the perimeters of the those who qualify for the study, used the same intervention tools, survey, and then criteria to assess the validity of the study. The study followed the baseline, intervention, withdraw phases to implement the study. At each stage the caregivers provided feedback on the mood and sleep patterns of the children using the graph as part of the intervention process (Gee et al., 2021). This study showed that the use of the weighted blanket had no effect on the quality of sleep in either study participant. The subjective and objective measures do not prove that weighted blankets improve the quality of sleep for those with autism (Gee et al., 2021).
Suppose you would like to evaluate the outcomes of your chosen EBP intervention on your client from Week 1 (Tiffani, Jake, or Paula). How would you do so? Which single-subject design (e.g., AB, ABC, ABAB, BAB) would you choose and why?
When evaluating the use of CBT for Tiffani, I would use the ABC design. This design allows for the baseline to be established, then the introduction of intervention to support the client. While evaluation of the current intervention, it allows for another intervention to be offered to support the client (Dudley, 2020). With Tiffani experiencing multiple issues it is important to not limit the possible interventions and might be necessary to use more than one intervention at a time to support her and her needs, without being harmful to her ability to heal.