The single-case reporting guideline in behavioural interventions (SCRIBE) 2016: explanation and elaboration
Tate, Robyn L.; Perdices, Michael; Rosenkoetter, Ulrike; McDonald, Skye; Togher, Leanne; Shadish, William; Horner, Robert; Kratochwill, Thomas; Barlow, David H.; Kazdin, Alan; Sampson, Margaret; Shamseer, Larissa; Vohra, Sunita
There is substantial evidence that research studies reported in the scientific literature do not provide adequate information so that readers know exactly what was done and what was found. This problem has been addressed by the development of reporting guidelines which tell authors what should be reported and how it should be described. Many reporting guidelines are now available for different types of research designs. There is no such guideline for one type of research design commonly used in the behavioral sciences, the single-case experimental design (SCED). The present study addressed this gap. This report describes the Single-Case Reporting guideline In BEhavioural interventions (SCRIBE) 2016, which is a set of 26 items that authors need to address when writing about SCED research for publication in a scientific journal. Each item is described, a rationale for its inclusion is provided, and examples of adequate reporting taken from the literature are quoted. It is recommended that the SCRIBE 2016 is used by authors preparing manuscripts describing SCED research for publication, as well as journal reviewers and editors who are evaluating such manuscripts.
SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACT: Single-case experimental design (SCED) studies in the behavioral sciences literature are not only common, but their proportion has also increased over past decades. Moreover, methodological complexity of SCEDs and sophistication in the techniques used to analyze SCED data has increased apace. Yet recent reviews of the behavioral sciences literature have shown that reporting of SCED research is highly variable and often incomplete. Explicit, precise and transparent reporting is crucial not only for critical evaluation of the study methodology and conclusions, but also to facilitate exact replication of investigations, and ascertain applicability and possible generality of results. Accordingly, we developed the SCRIBE 2016 (Single-Case Reporting guideline In BEhavioural interventions) by a consensus process by experts in SCED methodology and research in the behavioral sciences, as well as experts in reporting guideline development. The SCRIBE 2016 Explanation and Elaboration article describes a set of 26 items to guide and structure the reporting of SCED research. A rationale and minimum reporting standards that stipulate what needs to be reported are provided for each item. In addition, examples of adequate and clear reporting drawn from the literature are included for each item. It is recommended that the SCRIBE 2016 Explanation and Elaboration article is used in conjunction with the complementary SCRIBE 2016 Statement (Tate et al., 2016) by authors preparing manuscripts for publication and journal reviewers and editors considering manuscripts for publication.
↧