Single case experimental designs: Introduction to a special issue of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation

• Published in: Neuropsychological rehabilitation Vol. 24; no. 3-4; pp. 305 - 314
• Main Authors: Evans, Jonathan J., Gast, David L., Perdices, Michael, Manolov, Rumen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 2014; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Clinical; Clinical neuropsychology; Clinical practice; Clinical standards; Evidence-based medicine; Experimental methods; Humans; Intervention studies; Investigació de cas únic; Methodology; Mètodes experimentals; N of 1 trial; Neuropsicologia clínica; Neuropsychological rehabilitation; Neuropsychology - methods; Neuropsychology - standards; Psychological intervention; Psychology; Rehabilitació; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation outcome; Research Design - standards; Single subject research; Small N; Statistics as Topic - methods; Psychology; Clinical; Small N; Evidence-based medicine; N of 1 trial; Intervention studies; Rehabilitation outcome
• ISSN: 0960-2011; 1464-0694; 1464-0694
• DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2014.903198

This paper introduces the Special Issue of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation on Single Case Experimental Design (SCED) methodology. SCED studies have a long history of use in evaluating behavioural and psychological interventions, but in recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in SCED methodology, driven in part by the development of standards for conducting and reporting SCED studies. Although there is consensus on some aspects of SCED methodology, the question of how SCED data should be analysed remains unresolved. This Special Issues includes two papers discussing aspects of conducting SCED studies, five papers illustrating use of SCED methodology in clinical practice, and nine papers that present different methods of SCED data analysis. A final Discussion paper summarises points of agreement, highlights areas where further clarity is needed, and ends with a set of resources that will assist researchers conduct and analyse SCED studies.