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ERIC Number: EJ1181731
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Jun
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1045-3830
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Effect of Data Points per x- to y-Axis Ratio on Visual Analysts Evaluation of Single-Case Graphs
Radley, Keith C.; Dart, Evan H.; Wright, Sarah J.
School Psychology Quarterly, v33 n2 p314-322 Jun 2018
Research based on single-case designs (SCD) are frequently utilized in educational settings to evaluate the effect of an intervention on student behavior. Visual analysis is the primary method of evaluation of SCD, despite research noting concerns regarding reliability of the procedure. Recent research suggests that characteristics of the graphic display may contribute to poor reliability and overestimation of intervention effects. This study investigated the effect of increasing or decreasing the data points per x- to y-axis ratio (DPPXYR) on rater evaluations of functional relation and effect size in SCD data sets. Twenty-nine individuals (58.6% male) with experience in SCD were asked to evaluate 40 multiple baseline data sets. Two data sets reporting null, small, moderate, and large intervention effects (8 total) were modified by manipulating the ratio of the x- to y-axis (5 variations), resulting in 40 total graphs. Results indicate that raters scored effects as larger as the DPPXYR decreased. Additionally, a 2-way within-subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant main effect of DPPXYR manipulation on effect size rating, F(2.11, 58.98) = 58.05, p < 0.001, ?2 = 0.675, and an interaction between DPPXYR manipulation and magnitude of effect, F(6.71, 187.78) = 11.45, p < 0.001, ?2 = 0.29. Overall, results of the study indicate researchers and practitioners should maintain a DPPXYR of 0.14 or larger in the interest of more conservative effect size judgments. Impact and Implications: This study suggests that raters are more confident that a functional relation is present and that an intervention effect is larger to the degree that the x- to y-axis ratio of graphically presented single-case data approaches 1:1. This finding highlights the need for standardization of graphical display of single-case design data.
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A