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Describe the two primary limitations associated with the removal of treatment in a reversal design, as discussed in the context of single-subject research designs.
Question: Describe the two primary limitations associated with the removal of treatment in a reversal design, as discussed in the context of single-subject research designs.
Sample answer: The two primary limitations of a reversal design are: first, removing a successful treatment can be unethical, particularly if the treatment is preventing harmful behaviors such as self-injury. Second, the dependent variable may fail to return to baseline levels after the treatment is removed, which makes it difficult to determine whether the treatment caused the change or if another factor was responsible.
Key points:
- Removing a treatment that is working can be unethical (e.g., taking away an intervention that reduces self-injury).
- The dependent variable may not return to baseline once the treatment is removed.
- Failure to return to baseline makes it difficult to determine if the treatment caused the change or if another factor was responsible.
Rubric: To receive full credit, the student must recall and describe both limitations: 1) the ethical concern of removing an active, beneficial treatment (such as one reducing self-injury), and 2) the methodological concern of the dependent variable failing to return to baseline, which prevents researchers from determining if the treatment or another factor caused the change.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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Describe the two primary limitations associated with the removal of treatment in a reversal design, as discussed in the context of single-subject research designs.
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A researcher implements a new reading intervention for a student using a reversal design. After the intervention is removed, the student's reading comprehension scores remain high. Apply the concepts of reversal design limitations to explain why this result prevents the researcher from claiming the intervention caused the improvement.