The multiple baseline across subjects design: proposed use in research

Area of Science:

• Clinical Research Methodology
• Chiropractic Research

Background:

• Single-subject research methodology offers valuable tools for clinical research.
• The multiple baseline design is a key method within this framework.
• Understanding its application is crucial for evidence-based practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the utility of single-subject research methodology in clinical settings.
• To specifically discuss the multiple baseline design across subjects for chiropractic research.
• To provide an illustrative example of its application in chiropractic.

Main Methods:

• Review of single-subject research methodology history, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Detailed explanation of the multiple baseline design across subjects.
• Application of the design to a chiropractic research problem.

Main Results:

• Single-subject research, particularly the multiple baseline design, is applicable to chiropractic research.
• The methodology offers advantages for fields relying on the scientist-practitioner model.
• An example demonstrates its practical use in addressing chiropractic research questions.

Conclusions:

• The multiple baseline design across subjects is a viable and advantageous methodology for chiropractic research.
• This approach supports the scientist-practitioner model essential in chiropractic.
• Further utilization of single-subject designs can enhance the evidence base in chiropractic.