SPCE 609 EXAM REVISION BRIEF
SUMMARY
Group Experimental Designs
evaluate if the behavior of a treatment group (independent
variable ON) is statistically significantly different from that of a
control group (independent variable OFF). If so, then the
difference is attributed to the independent variable
Four weaknesses of group experimental designs
1- when independent variable is therapeutic, no one wants to
be in the control group
2-focusing on behavior of a group means not studying the
individuals which is a part of the definition of behavior.
understanding behavior requires individual focus
3- behaviors of those in the different groups will differ simply
because they are different people. creates noise. fixed with
random assignment
4-reliance on inferential statistics to evaluate in the
independent variable changed behavior
single-subject experimental design
expose individuals to baseline (independent variable OFF) and
experimental (independent variable ON) phases to determine if
the independent variable systematically and reliably changes
behavior. tool for experiments on individuals
, internal validity
when an experiment provides clear evidence that a functional
relation exists between independent variable and behavior
change
confounds
variables that are influencing behavior within an experiment,
but are not controlled by the researcher
comparison design
arranges a baseline (A) phase (independent variable OFF) and
an experimental (B) phase (independent variable ON)
referred to as quasi-experimental
type of single subject design
on/off or A-B design
Behavior is stable
over repeated observations, there is little "bounce" and no
systematic trend
reversal design
the individual's behavior is evaluated in repeatedly alternating
baseline (A) and experimental (B) phases
A-B-A design
type of single subject design
alternating treatments design
SUMMARY
Group Experimental Designs
evaluate if the behavior of a treatment group (independent
variable ON) is statistically significantly different from that of a
control group (independent variable OFF). If so, then the
difference is attributed to the independent variable
Four weaknesses of group experimental designs
1- when independent variable is therapeutic, no one wants to
be in the control group
2-focusing on behavior of a group means not studying the
individuals which is a part of the definition of behavior.
understanding behavior requires individual focus
3- behaviors of those in the different groups will differ simply
because they are different people. creates noise. fixed with
random assignment
4-reliance on inferential statistics to evaluate in the
independent variable changed behavior
single-subject experimental design
expose individuals to baseline (independent variable OFF) and
experimental (independent variable ON) phases to determine if
the independent variable systematically and reliably changes
behavior. tool for experiments on individuals
, internal validity
when an experiment provides clear evidence that a functional
relation exists between independent variable and behavior
change
confounds
variables that are influencing behavior within an experiment,
but are not controlled by the researcher
comparison design
arranges a baseline (A) phase (independent variable OFF) and
an experimental (B) phase (independent variable ON)
referred to as quasi-experimental
type of single subject design
on/off or A-B design
Behavior is stable
over repeated observations, there is little "bounce" and no
systematic trend
reversal design
the individual's behavior is evaluated in repeatedly alternating
baseline (A) and experimental (B) phases
A-B-A design
type of single subject design
alternating treatments design
