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A school psychologist graphs a student's daily focus time during a baseline phase and an intervention phase. The graph shows highly variable, overlapping data points between the two phases. However, a statistical test applied to the data indicates a statistically significant difference (p < .05) between phases. Applying the principles of single-subject data analysis, what conclusion should the psychologist draw about the treatment's effectiveness, and why?
Question: A school psychologist graphs a student's daily focus time during a baseline phase and an intervention phase. The graph shows highly variable, overlapping data points between the two phases. However, a statistical test applied to the data indicates a statistically significant difference (p < .05) between phases. Applying the principles of single-subject data analysis, what conclusion should the psychologist draw about the treatment's effectiveness, and why?
Sample answer: The psychologist should conclude that the treatment's effectiveness is not established because the primary analysis method, visual inspection, shows highly variable and overlapping data. Although the statistical test was significant, in single-subject research, statistical methods are merely supplemental and cannot replace visual inspection of graphed individual data.
Key points:
- Do not conclude the treatment is effective based solely on the statistical significance.
- Acknowledge visual inspection as the primary analytical method.
- Treat the statistical test as secondary/supplemental to the visual findings.
Feedback: In single-subject research, visual inspection of graphed data is the primary method for judging treatment effects. Since formal statistical methods are only a supplement and do not replace visual inspection, the lack of a clear visual change (due to variability and overlap) means the treatment effect is not verified, despite the significant statistical test.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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Visual Inspection
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A school psychologist graphs a student's daily focus time during a baseline phase and an intervention phase. The graph shows highly variable, overlapping data points between the two phases. However, a statistical test applied to the data indicates a statistically significant difference (p < .05) between phases. Applying the principles of single-subject data analysis, what conclusion should the psychologist draw about the treatment's effectiveness, and why?