What type of design was used in Richman et al. (1988) article regarding the effects of self-monitoring and supervisor feedback on staff performance?

• A. Single subject design
• B. Multiple baseline design
• C. Cross-sectional design
• D. Longitudinal design

Answer: (B)

The correct answer pertains to the use of a multiple baseline design in Richman et al. (1988) article. This type of design allows researchers to assess the effects of an intervention, such as self-monitoring and supervisor feedback, across different subjects or settings without the need for withdrawal of the treatment, which is often a limitation in single subject designs.

In a multiple baseline design, interventions are staggered across participants or settings, which helps establish a causal relationship between the intervention and observed changes in performance. This approach is particularly beneficial in applied behavior analysis, as it provides clear evidence of the intervention's effects by demonstrating changes in behavior that occur following the introduction of the intervention at different times.

The choice of this design also helps in accounting for external variables, as any improvement observed cannot simply be attributed to the passage of time, since some subjects receive the intervention before others. This allows for a more robust evaluation of the effectiveness of self-monitoring and feedback on staff performance.

Other research designs, such as single subject design, cross-sectional design, and longitudinal design, do not fit the context of the study in the same way. A single subject design might focus on one individual and may not provide a broad perspective; cross-sectional design typically looks