- Study Introduction: Describe the client briefly. (Even though the client is the student, use a name or “client” in the paper to avoid using “I”). What are the relevant client demographics and characteristics? (1 paragraph).
-What is the specific problem or behavior that the client is looking to change? Describe the target behavior. Make sure this behavior is measurable in some way. Try to pick a behavior that occurs relatively frequently (at least every day) so an extended baseline period is not needed. Why is this behavior a problem for the client? How would client well-being be improved if the intervention is successful? (1 paragraph) (target behavior is tracking steps for exercise)
- What is the client goal? Be specific and remember to state something that will be measurable. Here are some examples:
“Client will reduce smoking from one pack a day to three cigarette only”
“Client will increase the number of face-to-face interactions he has in a week with the goal of at least 7 interactions per week.” “Client will walk to work 3 times per week.” Why were this target and goal chosen? (1 paragraph) (I attached copy of previous paper I completed for this section in additional materials).
- Hypothesis and Variables: State your hypothesis in 1 sentence. Example: Writing positive thoughts in a journal every day will decrease negative thoughts and increase overall happiness. Describe your dependent and independent variables by providing operational definitions.
- Intervention: Specify the intervention that will directly address the target behavior and client goals. Make sure that the intervention is linked clearly to the specified target. Detail the reason why this intervention was selected in terms of previous research and in comparison to other available alternative interventions for the specified target. Why is the intervention you selected the one most likely to meet client needs? Review previous empirical research concisely and critically. Be sure to use at least 4 articles from peer-reviewed journals on the target and potential intervention. (1 page).
- Measurement: How will you measure your target? Describe your measurement package, including reasons for selecting the measures. Specify when, where, how, and by whom measurement information was collected. Summarize what is known about the reliability and validity of each measure. Specify how the measure is scored and what different scores mean, if such information is available. You may also use an individualized rating scale. If you do, describe the scale. (1 paragraph).
- Study Design: Specify the design of this single-case study. Specify length of the phases and the rationale for phase lengths. Your design must have at least 2 phases. Make sure to use the terminology you learned. Some examples are baseline, intervention, phase, condition, unit of measurement, data point, count, etc. Describe how and when the intervention will be implemented and by whom. How does your study deal with potential measurement error? **Study must have at least 10 data points. It is suggested that you take at least 10 days to 2 weeks to complete your study. (2 paragraphs).
- Make a chart of your study results. Use the chart to create a graph that shows the results of your study. The chart and graph must be included in this paper. You must use a program on Excel, Word or another software to create the graph. Copy and paste the chart and graph into the paper. Make sure the x and y axes, phases, data points and levels of measurement are clearly labeled.
- Evaluation: Interpret the results of your study. Did the target(s) deteriorate, remain unchanged, or improve? If the target(s) improved, was the improvement sufficient (i.e., was the goal achieved)? What are the bases for your conclusions? What other factors could have influenced the outcome of this study? (1-2 paragraphs).
- Discussion: Did your study go as planned? Why or why not? What were some impediments? What might you change if you were implementing this study again? What follow up would be needed, if this was an actual client, to meet the intended goals for the future? If behavior deteriorated, what other intervention could be implemented? What are your thoughts on conducting this type of research? How will you implement it in your future work with clients? (1 paragraph).
Sample Solution