Program / Treatment Design
A Systematic Review of Single-Case Designs Research Methodology in Clinical Psychology Journals.
Kendall H. Hughes, M.S.
Graduate Student
St. John’s University
Long Island City, New York
Samantha Herlands, B.A.
Graduate Student
St. John’s University
New Rochelle, New York
Mark Terjesen, Ph.D.
Professor
St. John's University
Glen Cove, New York
Mark J. Sciutto, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pennsylvania
A Systematic Review of Single-Case Designs Research Methodology in Clinical Psychology Journals.
Kendall Hughes
Samantha Herlands
Mark Terjesen
Mark Sciutto
Single-case research designs, as opposed to group-designs, may restrict the bias and inaccuracy which stem from clinical judgment alone. However, single-case research designs are scarce in the clinical psychology literature. This presents problems with value to clinical research as single-case designs may have more utility in clinical settings than group-designs in regard to observing change in individual clients. Single-case designs take multiple measurements throughout the study allowing for observations and hypotheses of active variables. The current study coded 3160 articles from six prominent clinical journals over a 45 year period (1978-2022). They were coded based on presenting problems, intervention techniques, and group versus single case designs (SCD). Within group-designs, we looked for randomization; within single-case designs, we compared AB, ABA, ABAB, Multiple Baselines, and other methodologies. We conducted analyses comparing SCD with group designs, differences in journal types, trends over years, methodologies of single cases, and pathologies and interventions. Preliminary analysis found that overall 12%of articles coded are SCD. Within journals, percentages of SCD articles ranged from 3% to 26%, with the majority falling within 9% to 16%. However, there is a negative correlation of SCD articles published over time. Of SCD studies, 43% used Multiple Baseline Designs, and less than 10% used ABA or ABAB designs. Most SCD study anxiety because it is the most presenting problem overall in the journals analyzed. However, 25% of studies of schizophrenia are SCD. Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy are the most common intervention techniques, regardless of study design. SCD utilizes Behavior Therapy more than other interventions. Overall, the current study found that SCD are underrepresented in clinical psychology literature. Participants will become familiar with SCD strategies and implications for researchers, and graduate training in psychology will be offered.
