The utilization of single-subject methodology represents a means to improve evaluation efforts in health education. This article provides a rationale for the application of the methodology in health education evaluation. Two variations of the single-subject evaluation methodology (ABAB and multiple baseline) are described. Appropriate methods of data analysis are recommended. Applications of single-subject designs in health education settings are presented. Dilemmas in health education evaluation are identified and reviewed in light of the potential contributions of single-subject methodology.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Bergin AE, Strupp HH: Changing Frontiers in the Science of Psychotherapy. Chicago , Aldine-Atherton, 1972.
2.
Kazdin A.: Single-Case Research Designs: Methods for Clinical and Applied Settings. New York, Oxford University Press.
3.
Smith H.: Single subject research: Application in leisure services. Impact10, 7-8, 1983.
4.
Green LW (Ed): New definitions: Report of the 1972-1973 Joint Committee on Health Education Terminology. Health Ed Monographs, 33, 1973.
5.
Mullen PD, Iverson DC: Qualitative methods for evaluative research in health education programs. Health Ed13: 11-18, 1982.
6.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service: Initial Role Delineation for Health Education: Final Report. Prepared for the National Center for Health Education. DHHS Publication No. (HRA) 80-44.
7.
Society for Public Health Education, Committee on Professional Preparation and Practice of Health Education: Guidelines for the preparation and practice of professional health educators. Health Ed Monogr 5: 75-89, 1977.
8.
Kosecoff J., Fink A.: Evaluatior: Basics. Beverly Hills, Sage, 1982.
9.
Green LW, Kreuter MW, Deeds SG, Partridge KB: Health Education Planning: A DiagnosticApproach, Palo Alto , Mayfield, 1980.
10.
Windsor RA, Branowski T., Clark N., Cutter G.: Evaluation of Health Promotion and Education Programs. Palo Alto, Mayfield, 1984.
11.
Shortell S., Richardson W.: Health Program Evaluation. St. Louis, Mosby, 1978.
12.
Cohen AM: Program Evaluation: Why It Seldom Is Perceived as a Success. Paper presented at the joint meeting of Evaluation Network and Evaluation Research Society, Baltimore, MD.
13.
Campbell DT, Stanley JC: Experimental and Quasi-experimental Designs for Research. Chicago, Rand McNally, 1963.
14.
Connell DB, Turner RR, Mason EF: Summary of findings of the school health education evaluation: Health promotion effectiveness, implementation, and costs. School Health55: 315-321, 1985.
15.
Puska P., Koskela K., McAlister A.: A comprehensive television smoking cessation program in Finland. Health Ed22: 1-28, 1979.
16.
Berenson GS, McMahan CA, Voors AW, Webber LS: Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children: The Early Natural History of Atherosclerosis and Essential Hypertension. New York, Oxford University Press, 1980.
17.
Neaton J., Broste S., Cohen L., Fishman E., Kjelsberg M., and Schoenberger M.: The multiple risk factor intervention trial (MRFIT). VII: A comparison of risk factor changes between the two study groups. Prev Med10, 519-543, 1981.
18.
Meyer AJ, Nash JD, McAlister AL, Maccoby N., and Farquhar JW: Skills training in a cardiovascular health education campaign, J Consult Clin Psychol48: 129-142, 1980.
19.
Dattilo J.: Single-subject research in therapeutic recreation: Application to individuals with disabilities, Therapeutic Recreation J19: 79-91. 1985.
20.
Borg WR, Gall MD: Educational Research. New York, Longman, 1983.
21.
Gay LR: Educational Research. Columbus, Ohio, Charles E. Merrill, 1981.
22.
Kratochwill TR : Single Subject Research: Strategies for Evaluation Change. New York, Academic, 1978.
23.
Parsonson BS, Baer DM: The analysis and presentation of graphic data. TR Kratochwill (Ed.), Single Subject Research: Strategies for Evaluating Change. New York, Academic Press, 1978.
24.
Jones RR, Vaught RS, Weinrott M.: Time-series analysis in operant research. J Appl Behav Anal10: 151-166, 1977.
25.
Michael J.: Statistical inference for individual organism research: Mixed blessing or curse? J Appl Behav Anal7: 647-653, 1974.
26.
Glass G., Willson V., Gottman J.: Design and Analysis of Time-Series Experiments. Boulder, CO, Associated University Press, 1975.
27.
Tyron WW: A simplified time-series for evaluating treatment interventions. J Appl Behav Anal15: 423-429, 1982.
28.
Tyron WW: A simplified time-series analysis for evaluating treatment interventions: A rejoinder to Blumber. J Appl Behav Anal17: 543-544, 1984.
29.
Green LW: Evaluation and measurement: Some dilemmas for health education. Am J Public Health67: 155-161, 1977.
30.
Green LW, Gordon NP: Productive research designs in health education investigations. Health Ed13: 4-10, 1982.
31.
Creswell WH, Newman IM, Anderson CL: School Health Practice. New York, Times Morrow/Mosby, 1985.