PHVIT9610 Single-Case Research Methods Course description

The course covers key theoretical and ethical issues in behavior analysis research. Key strategies and tactics of behavior analysis and single case research. Topics such as measurement, design, internal and external validity, and interpretation will be emphasized. The alignment of single-case research methods with empirically supported treatments will be covered.

General admission requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Health Sciences.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.

On completion of the course, the PhD candidate has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The PhD candidate can

• critically assess methods relevant to collecting and interpreting data
• assess of data collection methods’ appropriateness for answering research questions
• give examples and explain the difference between withdrawal and reversal designs
• give examples of the use of multiple baseline designs and alternating treatment designs
• give examples of direct, systematic, and clinical replication procedures

Skills

The PhD candidate can

• discuss basic principles for selecting an appropriate baseline
• discuss the rationale for single-case research designs
• discuss different recording techniques and their application criteria
• discuss different strategies for dealing with variability in data
• discuss criteria for validity and reliability and methods of assessing them
• discuss criteria for using different types of withdrawal designs
• conduct visual and statistical analysis of the effect of independent variables in single-case research designs

General competence

The PhD candidate can

• describe and discuss criteria for empirically supported treatment
• briefly outline the history of basic and applied single-case research
• discuss criteria for selecting behavior to assess (social, clinical, organizational, and personal significance)

The course consists of 1 introductory meeting, and 5 seminars of 5 x 45 minutes, with student presentations and time for feedback and discussion.

The introductory meeting is a 2-hours web-based meeting, taking place approximately 2 weeks ahead of the main part of the course. At this meeting, the structure, content, and purpose of the course are presented. The students are asked to give short presentations of their Ph.D. projects and describe how the course may be relevant to it. The main purpose of this early session is to help the students to start systematic work with the course readings.

The seminars target central themes from the course readings for student presentations and discussions. A high level of student participation is expected. During this time, students will produce several PowerPoint presentations, and a final presentation. Course teachers mediate discussions. After feedback and discussions, the students submit two PowerPoint files each, which serve as the exam.

• All papers approved
• attendance in at least 80 % of the seminars, and
• approved paper presentation in final seminar.

Portfolio.

Portfolio requirements: 2 PowerPoint presentations on specific topics from student classroom presentations

All

Pass / Fail

One internal examiner