Experimental Design
Single-case design selection
Select a design based on reversibility, safety, behavior-change trajectory, and the need for replication.
Concept review facts
Use this block to decide whether the concept needs definition review, scenario practice, or missed-question repair.
What this concept means here
Select a design based on reversibility, safety, behavior-change trajectory, and the need for replication.
How it appears in questions
Use multiple baseline when reversal is unsafe or impractical.
Best next action
If this concept is weak, practice Experimental Design scenarios and write one correction rule after each miss.
How this shows up in scenario questions
- 1Use multiple baseline when reversal is unsafe or impractical.
- 2Use changing criterion for gradual performance goals.
- 3Use alternating treatments for rapid treatment comparison.
Common misconceptions
- Using reversal for irreversible skills.
- Calling an AB design strong experimental control.
- Choosing design based only on graph appearance.
Distractor patterns
- AB design with no replication.
- Reversal that withdraws a safety skill.
- Scatterplot as experimental design.
Self-check before more practice
Can you define it without using the term itself?
If not, pause and rewrite the definition in plain language before answering more scenarios.
Can you spot the clue in a scenario stem?
Look for the data, timing, function, stakeholder, or ethical constraint that makes this concept relevant.
Can you reject the closest distractor?
A concept is not stable until you can explain why a plausible wrong answer is weaker.
Related terms
reversal designmultiple baselinechanging criterionalternating treatments
Turn this concept into practice
Use this page as a weak-area checkpoint: practice related scenarios, then review missed answers and save a study plan from your results.
Related study guides
Related practice prompts
Practice moreDefining features of single-case experimental designs: Single-case design selection.
A decrease in dropping to the floor after instructions occurs during the same week that staff change prompts, reinforcement, and session length. Across 8 sessions in service week 5, 3 observers recorded 56 minutes of observation in the home program. Before claiming the intervention caused the change, the BCBA should:
Reversal, multiple-baseline, multielement, and changing-criterion designs: Single-case design selection.
The team wants to evaluate a new procedure for using a clarification request, but withdrawing the current support could create safety concerns. Across 6 sessions in service week 5, 3 observers recorded 12 minutes of observation in the telehealth caregiver meeting. The BCBA should:
Comparative, component, and parametric analysis rationales: Single-case design selection.
A decrease in leaving the work area occurs during the same week that staff change prompts, reinforcement, and session length. Across 7 sessions in service week 5, one observer recorded 13 minutes of observation in the early intervention clinic. Before claiming the intervention caused the change, the BCBA should:
Applying single-case experimental designs: Single-case design selection.
The team wants to evaluate a new procedure for raising a hand before speaking, but withdrawing the current support could create safety concerns. Across 8 sessions in service week 5, 2 observers recorded 14 minutes of observation in the elementary classroom. The BCBA should:
Observable and measurable intervention goals: Functional assessment before intervention.
Assessment data suggest a less intrusive plan may address repeating questions after instructions, but the team asks for a faster restrictive option. Across 8 sessions in service week 9, 3 observers recorded 54 minutes of observation in the telehealth caregiver meeting. The BCBA should:
More concepts in this domain
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