Single-system research designs are useful to social workers who want to know whether an intervention has been effective with a client, whether the client be an individual, a family, a group, an organization, or community. While there are many different models of single-subject designs, for the purposes of this assignment you are to use the ABA design (see Ch. 6 in Royse et al), also known as the "Interrupted Time-Series Design with Follow-up".

In some instances, depending on the nature of the target problem and whether it is a client, you may have to use an AB design because it may be unethical to withdraw the intervention once it has started.

In this design, you must observe and record during three different periods:

1) baseline (before any intervention has occurred);

2) intervention;

3) follow-up (after intervention has ceased).The Instructor must approve all projects for this assignment before you begin.

For this assignment, you are to use a friend or family member (with his/her permission). You are then to contract with the subject regarding a target problem that your significant others have indicated is undesirable and that the subject will commit to change. Have the subject sign an Informed Consent Form.

Activities:

1. Choose the measurable problem (behavior, cognition, affect) that is targeted for change. (TARGET PROBELM IS Memory is my measurable problem)...

2. Record your baseline data on a tally sheet for at least one week, that is, how many times a day during this period was the problem observed?

In week 1- Baseline (no intervention) - The memory of a subject was tested by observing how long it took him to match 10 cards facing down. It took subject 20mins on first try on Monday to match all cards, Wednesday it took subject 20 minutes to match card. Friday, it took subject 15 minutes.

Transfer the data from the tally sheet to a chart that specifies the exact time intervals (days) and exact frequency of the target problem (number of times observed that day). Please use information above to do a graph showing before intervention, during and after.

3. After baselining the problem, begin your intervention. Describe in detail what is entailed in the intervention, what did you do? What was the subject expected to do? What were incentives for performing the expected behaviors, e.g., penalties for undesirable behaviors, rewarding desired behavior, etc?

In week 2- Intervention (Exercise) - The memory of subject was tested again by observing how long it would take him to match 10 cards facing down. Subject exercised (brisk walking) for 1 hour prior to doing memory test. Monday, it took subject 16 minutes on first try, Wednesday it took subject 11 minutes, Friday it took subject 8 minutes. (I would watch neighbors dog when he goes away on vacation if desirable outcome. Neighborhood would have to repeat matching the card if undesirable outcome.

3. Observe and record the frequency (or duration or intensity) of the target problem during the intervention period. (Time is being observe) How long did the subject take to match cards in week 2 compared to week one with no intervention.

4. Terminate the intervention and record the frequency of the target problem for at least as long as the baseline period on the tally sheet and your chart.

In week 3 - Baseline (no intervention) - The memory of subject was tested again by observing how long it would take him to match 10 cards facing down. Monday, it took subject 17 minutes on first try to match cards, Wednesday it took subject 11 minutes, Friday it took subject 12 minutes

5. Write up your results in memo form and include the components listed below. The paper should no more than 4-5 pages and include 4-5 references, including Royce et al. Please use the following subheadings:

1. Introduction: Brief description of the subject, the target problem, the intervention used, and the time frame.

2. Intervention and rationale: In the first paragraph of this section, include a description of your theory of change. The theory of change makes the connections between the problem and your intervention, by describing why the intervention is likely to change the behavior.

In your second and subsequent paragraphs, describe the intervention in detail and include a brief literature review that supports your intervention as an appropriate strategy to deal with the target problem. Indicate whether similar approaches have been tried and whether or not they were successful. Do the results vary by population, e.g., males, females, ethnic minorities?

3. Results: Describe the results of the follow-up and assess whether the intervention used was appropriate and effective. If so, would you use it again? If not, why was it not effective? What other approaches might be tried? With what client groups might it be effective?