Evaluating a Multiple Baseline Design: A Case Study

Selected Study:

Title: Evaluating the Effects of a Self-Monitoring Intervention on Time Spent Studying in College Students (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2018, 51(1), 78-91) [Dougan et al., 2018]

Experimental Question and Purpose:

The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a self-monitoring intervention in increasing the time college students spent studying. The researchers wanted to establish a functional relationship between the intervention and studying behavior.

Design:

The study utilized a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across three participants.

Data Analysis:

The visual data displays (line graphs) allow for an evaluation of the following aspects:

Level: Baseline levels of studying time varied across participants, with Participant 1 averaging around 30 minutes, Participant 2 around 45 minutes, and Participant 3 around 15 minutes.

Trend: Baselines were relatively stable for each participant before the intervention.

Variability: Baseline data showed some variability within each participant, but no consistent patterns were observed.

Latency to change: Following the introduction of the intervention, all three participants exhibited an increase in studying time within a few sessions.

Control and Evidence:

The study demonstrates some evidence of control. The introduction of the intervention coincided with a clear and consistent increase in studying time across all participants, while baseline levels remained stable before the intervention. However, due to the non-concurrent design, alternative explanations for the observed changes (e.g., history, maturation) cannot be entirely ruled out.

Conclusion:

While the study provides preliminary support for the effectiveness of the self-monitoring intervention, the non-concurrent multiple baseline design limits the ability to definitively conclude a causal relationship between the intervention and the observed behavior change. Future research could consider using a concurrent multiple baseline design or other designs that offer stronger internal validity.

Peer Response Prompt:

Based on the information provided in your post, can you identify what type of experimental question was utilized in the study you selected? (e.g., functional relationship, treatment efficacy, descriptive analysis)