Single System Designs and Dependent Variables

Single System Designs and Dependent Variables

Kally et al. (2014) employed a group design to assess the impact of the Savvy Caregiver Program (SCP) among the following three racial/ethnic minority groups: (a) African–American/Black; (b) Asian/Pacific Islander; and (c) Hispanic. In summary, the SCP is a training intervention for family and friends who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. The program is comprised of two hour sessions that are delivered over the course of six weeks. Kally et al. (2014) collected data from participants at three points: (a) prior to enrollment; (b) six month follow–up; and (c) 12 month follow–up. Data were neither collected during the program nor immediately after completion. Six dependent variables (DVs) were measured, all via standardized scales.

Context: You and your respective teammates have been asked to consider how to implement and evaluate the SCP using a single–system design (SSD) among the same racial/ethnic minority groups who participated in Kally et al.’s (2014) study. Data are to be collected at three times during the baseline phase and throughout the six week intervention phase. Your supervisor is interested in measuring two of the Dependent Variable’s included in Kally et al.’s (2014) study: (a) management of the situation; and (b) reaction to care recipient’s memory and behavior problems.

Questions to be Answered – PLEASE NUMBER ANSWERS

1. Provide a succinct, concrete example of a client system (i.e., choose one from among the three racial/ethnic groups identified above; e.g., Asian/Pacific Islander). Briefly justify your selection.

2. Using the two Dependent Variable your supervisor is interested in measuring, ((a) management of the situation; and (b) reaction to care recipient’s memory and behavior problems) present a possible research question and hypothesis that will guide the evaluation of the SCP with your identified client system.

3. Refer to and carefully read over Kally et al.’s section on Measures. This may give you an idea on the implied conceptual definitions for each Dependent Variable (DV). In your own words and using additional resources as needed, present a “working” conceptual definition for both DVs.

1. More than one method should be employed to measure DVs in SSDs. Thus, in addition to using each DVs corresponding standardized scale, you need to identify a second form of measurement from the following three options: behavioral observation, individualized rating scale, and client log/diary. Note, you must use a different measure for both of the DVs (i.e., each of the three types must be used only once). Next, you need to provide a rationale for each of your choices followed by a detailed explanation of how the measure you selected would be used to further operationalize its respective DV.