Quantitative Approach -Individual Flashcards
Why do we study single cases?
Disprove a theory: sometimes a single case is all that is needed
Define limits: single cases can define limits in behaviour. Groups look at averages but single cases can look a best/worst
Detailed measurements: impractical to do some very detailed studies with groups
Rare participants: may not be possible to recruit enough of some participants for a group study
Stimulate future research: can provide initial evidence that leads to larger scale group clinical trials
What are the types of single case research?
Research with one case
Case series: a small number of similar cases are studied but data is studied individually
What is a quantitative descriptive observational single case study?
Allows in depth look at one individual just observation
What is a quantitative experimental single case study?
EF is manipulated for one individual to see if this affects outcome measure
What is an ABAB experimental case design?
No treatment/ treatment x 2
Example of within subject design
No treatment then give treatment and compare outcome measure and repeat
What are the limitations of a simple ABAB design?
Requires stable baseline
Treatment may continue to have an effect when it is withdrawn
Requires treatment to be withdrawn in second A phase, patient may be unwilling to do this if it had a beneficial effect
What are the disadvantages of quantitative single case research?
Hard to show cause and effect
Because people vary, a single case research could be very misleading for a population based health service
Aiming to prove treatment effects generalise - greatest good for greatest number type argument
What are the advantages of quantitative case series research?
Has an advantage over single case research because you can begin to hypothesise about how generalisable results are
Can be less risky than a single case study if a participant decides to withdraw
Useful for research into disorders which are rare
Economical and speedy
Can reveal individual differences
What are the disadvantages of quantitative case series research?
More than one participant is required which can be difficult when studying rare disorders
May still be misleading to generalise
Less comprehensive than a single case a funding will be distributed
Care needed to avoid misinterpreting trends as causal relationships
