The multiple baseline across subjects design: proposed use in research

Abstract

This paper examines the use of single-subject research methodology in clinical research. Specifically, the use of the multiple baseline design across subjects is discussed relative to its application to chiropractic research. Brief discussion of the history of the development of single-subject research methodology is presented along with discussions of its strengths and weaknesses, issues related to its use, and some of the fields in which it has been utilized. The multiple baseline design across subjects is described and explained and an illustrative example of its application to a field based chiropractic research problem is provided. Finally, the advantages of this methodology for a field such as chiropractic, largely dependent upon the scientist-practitioner model, are discussed.