SSRD Single Subject Research Assignment Design AB Design

SSRD AB DESIGN
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Introduction
Single Subject Research Designs (also known as single-case experimental designs) are study designs applied when one is dealing with a smaller sample size. The study design is also used when a number of individuals to be studied are classified into one group. Single Subject Research Designs are mostly used in the study of behavioral changes exhibited by an individual (or a group of individuals) when some they are subjected to some treatment. In this method, individual participants serve as their own control in a similar manner to the study design called time-series design. At first, the individual is subjected to a non-treatment phase, and his or her performance is recorded. The individual is again subjected to a second phase involving some treatment, and his or her performance also recorded (Gay & Airasian, 2003).
In a study involving three individuals - a full time student, a full time employee, and a full time mom - each of the participant’s eating habits were assessed for a period of two weeks. For these two weeks, a record of the individuals’ habits was developed. The two weeks were purely non-treatment focused. The following provides a summary of what each participant’s eating habits for the two weeks: WEEK 1 WEEK 2
Full time student

Too much cola intake; too much coffee; scrambled eggs; no exercise; excessive alcohol consumption

Too much coffee; frequent French fries evenings; excessive alcohol consumption; no single exercise activity

Full time employee

High butter fat intake; high processed foods consumption;

Daily intake of red meat; high simple sugar diets.

Full time mom

Skipping of breakfast; binge eating; no exercise regimes; loads of French fries; high sugar intake

Daily intake of red meat; high processed foods; no exercise regimes; binge snacking.

After recording the above results, the intervention phase began. This phase involved providing intervention strategies (or treatment) to the participants to help them overcome their bad dieting habits that prevented them from losing weight. The goal of this phase was to intervene ...