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On the Decline of n = 1 Research in Behaviour Change: The Rise of the Evidence-Based Practice Movement as One Explanation for the Trend

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

Geoffrey N. Molloy*
Affiliation:
Monash University, Australia. geoffrey.molloy@education.monash.edu.au
Gregory C. Murphy
Affiliation:
La Trobe University, Australia.
Neville J. King
Affiliation:
Monash University, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Geoffrey N. Molloy, Institute of Human Development and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton campus, Victoria 3800 Australia.
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Abstract

Paradoxically, the rise of the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement with its growing reliance on the execution of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) has been associated with a fall in the conduct of single-case research. Sharpley, among others, is concerned with this trend because it ignores the complementarity of single-case and group experimentation. We argue that the view that EBP should be founded predominantly on group data is untenable on both scientific and practical grounds.

Type
Case Reports and Shorter Communications
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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