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Single Subject Research Methodology in Behavioral Sciences

Edited by David L. Gast, Jennifer Ledford

Published October 14th 2009 by Routledge – 492 pages

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Description

This book is written for student researchers, practitioners, and university faculty who are interested in answering applied research questions and objectively evaluating educational and clinical practices. The basic tenet of single-subject research methodology is that the individual is of primary importance and that each individual study participant serves as his or her own control. It is because of this focus on the individual that clinicians and educators have been using single-subject research designs for over 40 years to answer applied research questions. Although the methodology has its roots in behavioral psychology and applied behavioral analysis, it has been used by applied researchers across a variety of disciplines such as special education, speech and communication sciences, language and literacy, therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy, and social work. Key features include the following:

  • Applied Focus – More than any other text, this one focuses on the nuts and bolts of how to use single-subject research in constructing one’s research project or in evaluating one’s professional practice.

  • Numerous and Varied Examples – The book abounds in examples from special education and other disciplines and populations within the applied research literature.

  • Reader Friendly – The text is written in a reader friendly style, features sample data sheets and graphic displays, and includes detailed guidelines for conducting visual analysis of graphic data.

  • Expertise – The author’s long and distinguished career in teaching single-subject research is augmented in this book by contributions from other experts in the field.

Contents

1. Applied Research in Education and Behavioral Science, David L. Gast

2. Scientific Research in Educational and Clinical Settings, David L. Gast and James W. Tawney

3. Ethical Principles and Practices, Linda Mechling and David L. Gast

4. Writing Tasks: Literature Reviews, Research Proposals, and Finals Reports, Mark Wolery and Kathleen Lynne Lane

5. General Factors in Measurement and Evaluation, David L. Gast

6. Replication, David L. Gast

7. Dependent Measures and Measurement Procedures, Kevin Ayres and David L. Gast

8. Visual Representation of Data, Amy D. Spriggs and David L. Gast

9. Visual Analysis of Graphic Data, David L. Gast and Amy D. Spriggs

10. Withdrawal and Reversal Designs, David L. Gast and Diana Hammond

11. Multiple Baseline and Multiple Probe Designs, David L. Gast and Jennifer Ledford

12. Comparative Intervention Designs, Mark Wolery, David L. Gast, and Diana Hammond

13. Variations of Multiple Baseline Designs and Combination Designs, David L. Gast and Jennifer Ledford

14. Statistics and Single Subject Research Methodology, Jonathan M. Campbell and Caitlin V. Herzinger

Author Bio

David L. Gast (Ph.D. University of Kansas) is Professor of Special Education in the Department of Communication Science and Special Education at the University of Georgia. Co-author with Dr. James Tawney of Single-Subject Research in Special Education, he has also authored or co-authored 10 chapters and over 100 journal articles. Dr. Gast serves as a consulting editor for Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, and Exceptionality.

Name: Single Subject Research Methodology in Behavioral Sciences (Paperback) – Routledge 
Description: Edited by David L. Gast, Jennifer Ledford. This book is written for student researchers, practitioners, and university faculty who are interested in answering applied research questions and objectively evaluating educational and clinical practices. The basic tenet of single-subject research...
Categories: Inclusion and Special Educational Needs, Research Methods in Education, School Psychology