Flexibility of single-subject experimental designs. Part III: Using flexibility to design or modify experiments

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Clinical Research Methodology
• Experimental Design

Background:

• Single-subject experimental designs are foundational in clinical research.
• Prototypical designs offer limited adaptability for complex research questions.
• Existing flexibility in these designs is often underutilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present clinical researchers with flexible alternatives to basic single-subject experimental designs.
• To highlight the underutilization of design flexibility in recent clinical research.
• To provide actionable suggestions for incorporating design flexibility into clinical studies.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical research literature from the past 10 years.
• Analysis of the inherent flexibility within single-subject experimental designs.
• Categorization of flexibility into a priori (combining designs) and ad hoc (modifying designs) types.

Main Results:

• The inherent flexibility of single-subject designs is underutilized in clinical research.
• Two types of flexibility, a priori and ad hoc, offer significant potential.
• Tailored experimental designs can be created by leveraging this flexibility.

Conclusions:

• Clinical researchers should actively explore and implement the flexible applications of single-subject designs.
• Leveraging design flexibility can lead to more effective and tailored research solutions.
• Increased utilization of design flexibility can enhance the impact and applicability of clinical research.