Assessing functional relations in single-case designs: Quantitative proposals in the context of the evidence-based movement

In the context of the evidence-based practices movement, the emphasis on computing effect sizes and combining them via meta-analysis does not preclude the demonstration of functional relations. For the latter aim, we propose to augment the visual analysis to add consistency to the decisions made on the existence of a functional relation without losing sight of the need for a methodological evaluation of what stimuli and reinforcement or punishment are used to control the behavior. Four options for quantification are reviewed, illustrated, and tested with simulated data. These quantifications include comparing the projected baseline with the actual treatment measurements, on the basis of either parametric or nonparametric statistics. The simulated data used to test the quantifications include nine data patterns in terms of the presence and type of effect and comprising ABAB and multiple baseline designs. Although none of the techniques is completely flawless in terms of detecting a functional relation only when it is present but not when it is absent, an option based on projecting split-middle trend and considering data variability as in exploratory data analysis proves to be the best performer for most data patterns. We suggest that the information on whether a functional relation has been demonstrated should be included in meta-analyses. It is also possible to use as a weight the inverse of the data variability measure used in the quantification for assessing the functional relation. We offer an easy to use code for open-source software for implementing some of the quantifications.

Cambios en las Relaciones y Satisfacciones Intergeneracionales Asociados al Uso de las TICs = Intergenerational Relations Changes and Satisfaction Associated to the ICTs Use

This article presents data from two samples of Catalan adolescents from 12 to 16 years and their parents in 2003 and 2008. The main aim is to explore the changing relationships between parents and their children and the impact that the use of ICT has on these changes. The results show that over the time there is a greater involvement of parents in communicating with their children about this issue, which involves no greater satisfaction of adolescents with such communication, possibly by the perception of lack of control that his/her father or mother has