4.3 Assignment SWK-662
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
662
Subject
Industrial Engineering
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
5
Uploaded by ksullivan003
4.3 Assignment: Selecting a Research Design and Data Collection Method
Kathrine Sullivan
Indiana Wesleyan University
SWK-662: Research Method/ Writeup
Dr. Roland
11/12/23
Week one
Week Two
Week Three
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Baseline
Baseline
Month Two
Month Three
Month Four
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
Intervention
Intervention
Month Five
Month Six
Month Seven
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Reverse
Reverse
Month Eight Month nine
Month Ten
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
Reimplementation
reimplementation
Introduction
The program I have decided to use for this study focuses on substance use disorder
treatment by medication assisted treatment and therapy. This treatment is provided at the
Sycamore Pain & Wellness clinic in Terre Haute Indiana. The patient who is being observed has
an extensive history of addiction and is currently in recovery.
Withdrawal/ Reversal Design
For this study design I used the A-B-A-B experimental signal system design. This is a
withdrawal/ reversal research design for evaluation the effectiveness of the interventions for
substance use disorder. This evaluation will consist of four phases: the baseline, intervention,
reversal, and finally reimplementation.
The baseline is where the patient is observed for a three-week period without receiving
treatment. This allows the patients “normal” behavior and cravings to be observed. The
intervention is a three-month process. The patient will participate in Medication assisted
treatment, Group, and individual therapy. During this time the patient’s behavior will be
observed as well as cravings and risk for relapse. During the reversal the treatment is changed
and both types of therapies are stopped. The patient will no longer have the support or
encouragement of their therapist and cohorts in recovery. The Reimplementation of the therapy
and full treatment program will allow the patient the same treatment he experienced in months
two through four.
The baseline will demonstrate the patient’s behavior prior to starting Sycamore Pain &
Wellness medication assisted treatment program. If the intervention or treatment is effective, the
patient should experience a decrease in the need or desire to participate in substance use. When
the intervention is reversed the patient will experience an increase in cravings and desire to
participate in substance use. Once the intervention is reintroduced the patient will experience a
decrease in cravings and desire to need or want to participate in substance use.
Internal and external Validity Threats
The internal validity will refer to the extent to which the results of the study can
attributed to the intervention instead of the other factors. The following are possible threats to the
internal validity of the A-B-A-B study design. This will include history or the events the patient
experiences during or prior to the study that have a potential to interrupt his behavior. Another
factor is maturation or the patient changing during the study. This change can be a product of
age, time, learning, or environmental changes. The concern with this study would be the clarity
the patient experiences once in active recovery.
The patient’s process and goals will change as the patient maintains his sobriety with
treatment. Lastly, testing of the act of the patient being observed or assessed by professionals
may alter his behavior. He may become more aware of his behavior and attempt to display
behavior the is pleasing to the clinic or socially acceptable.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
External validity will refer to the generalization of the study to other people, places, and
time. The following are potential threats to external validity when using the A-B-A-B design.
Participant selection is the most important. The patient chosen may not be the best representation
of the substance use disorder population. Also, it is important to take into consideration if the
patient is participating in the program freely or is mandated. In this study the patient has begun
recovery and treatment of his own free will.
Another item to consider is the setting where the study is being observed or conducted.
Treatment in a clinic is in a controlled and monitored environment where the patient does not
have a chance of relapsing while inside the clinic. However, if he is in his apartment or walking
down the street the treatment may not help prevent relapse. The temptation is harder outside the
clinic or in the “real world”.
Both Internal and External validity threats are important to consider
when completing a study. These concepts assist in helping decide if the study’s results are
truthful and original.
Reference
Tate, R., & Perdices, M. (2019). Single-Case experimental designs for clinical research and
neurorehabilitation settings. In
Routledge eBooks
.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429488184