Enhancing Experimental Psychology: Exploring Multiple Baseline and Discrete Trials Designs for Small-N Studies”

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

Book: “Experimental Psychology” by Myers & Hansen (7th edition) Wadsworth. Cengage Learning, Inc. 2012
-Refer to your textbook and you can also use other books, other online articles, and case studies to write your assignment.
-Apply your understanding of the given topic below.
-Write as per the APA guidelines mentioned in your syllabus.
-No minimum word requirement.
-Write the proper topic number and heading.
1. What is meant by a multiple baseline design? What ethical problem is avoided when a multiple baseline design is used? Give an example.
2. What is meant by a discrete trial design? What field of psychology makes heavy use of this design? Explain how this procedure can provide an accurate glimpse at the effects of an independent variable.
3. Explain the two types of variability that can be expected in small N designs.
-Give proper heading and highlight the subsection of each Part of the question.

HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)

Exploring Multiple Baseline and Discrete Trials Designs for Small-N Studies to Improve Experimental Psychology

Multiple Baseline Design: A Successful Approach to Ethical Problems
Experimental psychology seeks to comprehend the intricate processes at work in the human mind through the methodical investigation. However, there are several difficulties associated with ethical issues in the study. A useful study strategy for addressing ethical concerns in experimental psychology is the multiple baseline design.
A single-case design known as a multiple baseline design introduces an intervention in stages across a variety of behaviors, environments, or individuals. The research involves first observing the target behavior for a predetermined amount of time, adding the intervention, and then tracking the behavior change. To assess the success of the intervention, this process is repeated under various situations.

A multiple baseline design aids in avoiding moral dilemmas such as the use of placebo therapies, treatment withholding, and treatment withdrawal. For instance, a researcher can lessen the need to withhold treatment from volunteers by introducing an intervention in several settings gradually.

For instance, a multiple baseline design can be used to examine if a novel therapy is beneficial in treating depression. Different individuals or environments, such as outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, or community health centers, can be exposed to the intervention one at a time.

Widespread use of the discrete trials design in behavioral psychology
In the field of behavioral psychology, the discrete trial design is a common study method. Using a single-case design, the participant is subjected to several trials that are distinct from one another.
When using a discrete trial design, the researcher manipulates the independent variable and compares the behavior before and after the intervention to gauge the impact on the dependent variable. Finding links between the independent and dependent variables’ causes and effects is one of the main applications of this approach.

Applied behavior analysis, which tries to enhance socially meaningful actions, frequently uses a discrete trials design. For instance, a researcher could use this design to examine if behavioral interventions can help autistic children complete tasks more quickly.

Analyzing Small N Designs’ Variability
Small N designs are a class of experimental psychology study plans that only involve a small number of subjects or observations. When examining rare or unusual events that cannot be investigated using large samples, these designs are used.
In small N designs, intra-subject variability and inter-subject variability are the two types of variability that can be anticipated. The term “intra-subject variability” describes the variation in behavior within a single participant over a range of circumstances or times. On the other hand, inter-subject variability describes the variation in behavior among several participants.

Small N designs can be challenging since intra-subject variation can change how study results are interpreted. The link between the independent and dependent variables can be learned from this fluctuation, though.

For instance, a researcher might employ a small N design to examine the efficacy of a novel therapy for managing chronic pain. Inter-subject variability can tell us how differently various participants respond to the same treatment over time, but intra-subject variability can tell us how differently a person responds to the same treatment over time.

The use of numerous baselines and discrete trial designs is an efficient method for tackling the ethical and practical issues that can arise in experimental psychology. Interpreting study results in this area also requires a thorough understanding of variability in small N designs. These designs can be used by experimental psychologists to learn more about the intricate operations of the human mind and behavior.

 

 

 

 

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