SP2008 Single-subject Research in Practice

Faculty of Education
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Karel Pančocha, Ph.D., M.Sc. (lecturer)
Bc. Barbora Pavlíčková (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Karel Pančocha, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Institute for Research in Inclusive Education – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: PhDr. Lenka Gajzlerová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Institute for Research in Inclusive Education – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
SP2008/KombiPred01: Sat 1. 3. 8:00–11:50 učebna 30, Fri 9. 5. 8:00–11:50 učebna 30, K. Pančocha
SP2008/PrezSem01: Mon 18:00–19:50 učebna 35, K. Pančocha
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Metodologie speciálně pedagogického výzkumu 1
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 14 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce advanced research strategies in special education, focusing on research of one or small number of research subjects and its use in educational practice. Due to the inter-individual differences between subjects commonly associated with heterogeneity and/or small number of available research subjects, special education research often uses qualitative, mixed or quantitative strategies with small number of informants, respondents or research subjects. The course will introduce advanced requirements for conducting case studies and within subject experiments with a small number or one research subject. Students will prepare their own experimental research project and argue for the most suitable experimental design including applicable measurement of target behaviors.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able:
- describe application of single or small sample research strategies.
- to explain advantages and disadvantages of small N research studies and experiments using vithin-subject research design concerning its validity and reliability.
- select suitable experimental research design and appropriate measurement of target behavior
- apply appropriate research strategy and prepare own research project for special education practice
Syllabus
  • 1. Research with small number of subjects or with one subject (N1) – possibilities and limits of use
  • 2. Using N1 research strategies in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research studies
  • 3. Case studies – developing own research project - selection of human subjects, phenomena or institutions; data collection, data analysis; interpetation of results; writing down and publishing case study results.
  • 4. Experiments with small/one N – possibilities of use of within subject experimental design
  • 5. Limits of validity and reliability in withinsubject designs
  • 6. Project of within subject designs used in special education - developing own research project, selection of human subjects, data collection – measuring behavior, graphing data and visual interpretation, data analysis; writing down and publishing research results.
Literature
    required literature
  • COOPER, John, Timothy HERON and William HEWARD. Aplikovaná behaviorální analýza (Applied Behavior Analysis). 1st ed. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2024, 780 pp. ISBN 978-80-280-0571-9. info
  • Úvod do metodologie psychologického výzkumu : jak zkoumat lidskou duši. Translated by Petr Bakalář, Illustrated by Ján Ferjenčík. Vyd. 2. Praha: Portál, 2010, 255 s. ISBN 9788073678159. URL info
    recommended literature
  • YIN, Robert K. Case study research and applications: Design and methods. SAGE Publications, 2017.
  • LANE, Justin D.; GAST, David L. Visual analysis in single case experimental design studies: Brief review and guidelines. Neuropsychological rehabilitation, 2014, 24.3-4: 445-463.
  • ODOM, Samuel L., et al. Research in special education: Scientific methods and evidence-based practices. Exceptional children, 2005, 71.2: 137-148.
  • COOPER, John O., Timothy E. HERON and William L. HEWARD. Applied behavior analysis. Second edition. Harlow: Pearson, 2014, iv, 751. ISBN 9781292023212. info
  • MERTENS, Donna M. and John A. MCLAUGHLIN. Research and evaluation methods in special education. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press, 2004, xiv, 275. ISBN 0761946535. info
Teaching methods
Seminar, development of own practical research project
Assessment methods
Homework, experimental research project with one research subject, final exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Study support
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/ped/jaro2025/SP2008/index.qwarp?fakulta=1441;obdobi=9084;predmet=1511335;zuv=1520758
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 2 bloky pro kombinované studium.
Teacher's information
Chapters 3 to 9 are the compulsory reading of the Applied behavior analysis book (Cooper, Heron, Heward, 2024).
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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