ERIC Number: EJ991306
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Dec
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1082-989X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Assigning and Combining Probabilities in Single-Case Studies
Manolov, Rumen; Solanas, Antonio
Psychological Methods, v17 n4 p495-509 Dec 2012
There is currently a considerable diversity of quantitative measures available for summarizing the results in single-case studies. Given that the interpretation of some of them is difficult due to the lack of established benchmarks, the current article proposes an approach for obtaining further numerical evidence on the importance of the results, complementing the substantive criteria, visual analysis, and primary summary measures. This additional evidence consists of obtaining the statistical significance of the outcome when referred to the corresponding sampling distribution. This sampling distribution is formed by the values of the outcomes (expressed as data nonoverlap, R[superscript 2], etc.) in case the intervention is ineffective. The approach proposed here is intended to offer the outcome's probability of being as extreme when there is no treatment effect without the need for some assumptions that cannot be checked with guarantees. Following this approach, researchers would compare their outcomes to reference values rather than constructing the sampling distributions themselves. The integration of single-case studies is problematic when different metrics are used across primary studies and not all raw data are available. Via the approach for assigning "p" values it is possible to combine the results of similar studies regardless of the primary effect size indicator. The alternatives for combining probabilities are discussed in the context of single-case studies, pointing out 2 potentially useful methods--one based on a weighted average and the other on the binomial test. (Contains 4 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Sampling, Probability, Statistical Significance, Case Studies, Statistical Analysis, Research Methodology, Effect Size, Meta Analysis, Psychological Studies, Weighted Scores
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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