Hojem M A, Ottenbacher K J
Graduate Program in Therapeutic Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
Phys Ther. 1988 Jun;68(6):983-8. doi: 10.1093/ptj/68.6.983.
We examined the inferential decisions made using either visual analysis alone or in combination with a trend line to evaluate data from single-subject research designs. Thirty-nine subjects were randomly assigned to either a Visual Group (n = 20) that used a visual-inspection approach to analyzing graphed data or a Quantitative Group (n = 19) that used a trend-line approach. After instruction in interpretation, we asked the subjects to analyze graphs containing data from five hypothetical AB single-subject designs. Results revealed a statistically significant difference in the decision made between the two groups for four of the five graphs. The group using the trend line to analyze graphed data exhibited more confidence in the decisions they made and also demonstrated greater within-group consistency as compared with the group using visual inspection. The implications of various methods of data analysis in establishing the scientific legitimacy of single-subject research methods are discussed, and the argument is made that quantitative procedures can assist in the analysis and interpretation of single-subject data.
我们研究了仅使用视觉分析或结合趋势线做出的推断性决策，以评估单受试者研究设计中的数据。39名受试者被随机分配到使用视觉检查方法分析图表数据的视觉组（n = 20）或使用趋势线方法的定量组（n = 19）。在接受解释指导后，我们要求受试者分析包含来自五个假设的AB单受试者设计数据的图表。结果显示，在五个图表中的四个图表上，两组做出的决策存在统计学上的显著差异。与使用视觉检查的组相比，使用趋势线分析图表数据的组对他们做出的决策表现出更大的信心，并且在组内也表现出更高的一致性。讨论了各种数据分析方法在确立单受试者研究方法的科学合理性方面的意义，并提出定量程序可以协助单受试者数据的分析和解释。
