Single-case research in clinical psychology: Multiple-baseline designed experiments

To evaluate clinical-therapeutical interventions there can be used various types of case-studies. A distinction is made between anectodical and uncontrolled case-studies and controlled single case-studies. Most of the single case-studies are based on the comparison between baseline and treatment data, using the person as its own control. This comparison within one person combined with systematical observations during treatment is characteristic for single case-studies. Its underlying rationale and the methods of single case-research are made clear by means of the multiple-baseline-designs. Examples of their practical application in clinical research show the significance of single case-research for practical use. Finally, the differences, similarities, advantages and disadvantages of between group and single case-research designs will be discussed.