Statistical Analysis for Single-Case Designs

Abstract

As a graduate student majoring in academic social psychology I was exposed to a wondrous assemblage of theories that seemed to offer practically limitless resources with which to help solve important, large-scale, real-world problems. Initially I found it mildly disturbing that many of these theories were validated using primarily experimental methodologies involving samples (sometimes very large samples) that usually consisted of college undergraduates. Indeed, I felt that the most appropriate context in which to validate these theories was the applied setting—where the important, large-scale, real-world problems actually occurred. The ready availability of large random samples of college undergraduates in close proximity to social psychology laboratories, however, constituted an irresistible opportunity to initiate laboratory-based research programs of my own, that actively continue today. I benefit from this approach, of course, vis-à-vis numerous substantive and methodological insights that ultimately improve my ability to do science.