An Exploratory Analysis of Quality Indicators in Adapted Alternating Treatments Designs. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shepley, Collin; Ault, Melinda J.; Ortiz, Kaylee; Vogler, J. Colin; McGee, Molly
• Is Part Of: Topics in early childhood special education. Volume 39:Number 4(2020:Feb.)
• Page Start: 226
• Page End: 237
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: adapted alternating treatments design -- single-case design -- quality indicators -- design standards; Children with disabilities -- Education (Preschool) -- Periodicals; Child Development -- Periodicals; Education, Special -- Periodicals; Enfants handicapés -- Enseignement préscolaire -- Périodiques; Éducation précoce; Éducation préscolaire; Éducation spéciale; Enfant handicapé; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 371.905
• DOI: 10.1177/0271121418820429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-1214

Abstract

The single-case adapted alternating treatments design allows for an experimental comparison between two independent variables applied across two equally difficult, yet functionally independent, dependent variables. The design has been used prominently within the special education and behavior analysis literature since its inception. Despite its history and continued use, there are currently no formalized quality standards specific to the adapted alternating treatments design. Given the rise of evidence-based practices and the increased number of organizations developing quality and rigor standards, a discussion and evaluation of quality indicators specific to adapted alternating treatments designs is warranted. We provide an overview of quality indicators and examine their prevalence over the years within a subset of studies commonly incorporating the adapted alternating treatments design. Implications for researchers who use the design and organizations that develop standards for single-case research are discussed. Copies of coding tables and syntax in Microsoft Excel and SPSS formats may be obtained via Open Science Framework athttps://osf.io/guw6h/ .