Formulating Research Questions and Hypotheses
As you have seen, single-case research design is a methodology in which each step informs and provides a foundation for the next. Developing an understanding of the functional relationship between an external factor and behavior provides the groundwork for measuring that behavior, and lays the foundation for developing hypotheses. The hypothesis is the catalyst for better understanding the functional relationship and ultimately for developing an effective intervention.
For this Discussion, you examine the formulation of research questions and hypotheses. You review a scenario involving a grade-school student with autism and her issues with eye contact when talking to others. Based on this scenario, you develop a research question and hypothesis with the goal of designing an intervention that will increase the frequency of the student’s eye contact.
To Prepare
- Review the Learning Resources for this week, including the required weekly media programs, to develop an understanding of formulating research questions and hypotheses. (Note: It is mandatory for you to review all media for the week prior to completing this Discussion.)
- Consider the following scenario:
Samantha is a 10-year-old student with autism and her eye contact while engaging in conversation with others is minimal to nonexistent. Your task is to develop an intervention to increase the rate of eye contact.
Resources
- Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
- Chapter 4, “Measuring Behavior” (pp. 73–99)
- Kazdin, A. E. (2021). Single-case research designs: Methods for clinical and applied settings (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Chapter 2, “Underpinnings of Scientific Research” (pp. 31–62)
- Hurtado-Parrado, C., & López-López, W. (2015). Single-case research methods: History and suitability for a psychological science in need of alternativesLinks to an external site.. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 49 (3), 323–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-014-9290-2