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Imagine you are designing a single-subject study to test whether a noise-canceling headset reduces off-task behavior in an office worker. Apply the logic of a reversal design to describe the specific sequence of phases and the expected changes in off-task behavior that must occur to demonstrate high internal validity.
Question: Imagine you are designing a single-subject study to test whether a noise-canceling headset reduces off-task behavior in an office worker. Apply the logic of a reversal design to describe the specific sequence of phases and the expected changes in off-task behavior that must occur to demonstrate high internal validity.
Sample answer: To demonstrate high internal validity using a reversal design, the worker's off-task behavior must first be measured to establish a high baseline level (A). Next, when the noise-canceling headset is introduced (B), off-task behavior must decrease. Finally, when the headset is removed (A), off-task behavior must revert back to high baseline levels, demonstrating that the headset was the cause of the change.
Key points:
- Establish an initial baseline (A) of high off-task behavior.
- Observe a decrease in off-task behavior when the treatment (B, the headset) is introduced.
- Observe a reversion of off-task behavior back to baseline levels when the treatment is removed (A).
- Demonstrate that the treatment's effects are temporary to successfully establish causality.
Rubric: The answer must accurately apply the reversal design (ABA or ABAB) sequence: 1) Establish a baseline of behavior; 2) Introduce the treatment and observe a corresponding change; 3) Remove the treatment and observe a reversion back to baseline levels to rule out extraneous variables.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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