SINGLE-SUBJECT RESEARCH DESIGNS - SOME MISCONCEPTIONS

In recent years, several articles have advocated the use of single-subject experimental designs in rehabilitation research. However, a survey of three leading journals in the field of rehabilitation psychology revealed that only a very small percentage of published research in the last five years employed single-subject research designs. It was hypothesized that some basic misconceptions about this research strategy prevent its more widespread use. Accordingly, the present article attempts to clarify the potential misunderstandings that surround this important research methodology.