A Monte Carlo Simulation Assessing Treatment Effectiveness in Single-Case Designs: Manipulating Duration and Probabilities

• In Event: Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Division D Section 2 Poster Session

Abstract

Single-case designs (SCDs) use an experimental process where treatment is systemically manipulated by a researcher, performance is monitored over time, and the units of interest serve as their own control (Horner, Carr, Halle, McGee, Odom, & Wolery, 2005; Kratochwill, Hitchcock, Horner, Levin, Odom, Rindskopf, & Shadish, 2010; Segool, Brinkman, & Carlson, 2007). This research used ABAB graphs and Monte Carlo Simulation in R to evaluate how manipulated data per phase (i.e., baseline and treatment) and expected probabilities determine treatment effectiveness. Results indicated that when phase probability was fixed (.50) Type I error was conservative. Careful thought in design, data variation and duration of phases were discussed.

Authors

• Christine Ann Crumbacher, Center for Creative Leadership

• Emily A. Price, Ohio University