Gilroy Lab @ Louisiana State University

Systematic reviews based on single-case experimental designs (SCED) are increasingly common in the scientific literature. However, researchers reviewing SCED research may employ varying approaches and strategies, not all of which correspond with recognized standards of review quality, including those specific to SCED. Furthermore, unique features of SCED may necessitate the development of new standards specific to research synthesis. In this article, we provide an overview of the current status and functions of systematic reviews in SCED research. We offer recommendations and guidance to novice and advanced researchers to support consistency, replicability, and transparency of systematic reviews that include SCED research.

This study explored bilingual approaches to establishing communication repertoires for culturally and linguistically diverse nonverbal autistic children. We explored concurrent English and Spanish mand instruction across language-specific contexts (i.e., blocked vs. shuffled language trials). Participants first received communication intervention in a blocked context (e.g., first half in English), followed by communication intervention in a mixed-language context (i.e., shuffled trials). Mixed-language probes were incorporated throughout the evaluations to detect the emergence of conditional discriminations specific to the present linguistic context (i.e., therapist language). Participants established linguistic discrimination for topographically distinct forms of functional communication with minimal formal language discrimination instruction. These findings suggest that a communication intervention including elements of bilingualism can be effective for both establishing functional communication and discriminating the contexts in which certain responses are likely to be reinforced (i.e., linguistic discrimination).

Single-case experimental design has been increasingly represented in research over the past several decades. Increasing rates of publication, combined with unique features inherent in single-case research, have complicated efforts to synthesize published literature. This work reviews technical challenges associated with single-case research synthesis and how tools such as the Single Case Analysis and Review Framework (SCARF) can supplement these efforts while retaining critical features of visual analysis. A web-based user interface for the SCARF (SCARF-UI) is presented, described, and accompanied by a guide on its use and relevance to behavior analysts and other single-case design researchers. This free and open-source software is reviewed and presented with training materials and demonstrations of prior research reviews completed using SCARF. Additional discussion is also provided regarding avenues for increasing consistent appraisal of behavior analytic research.

Various avenues exist for quantifying the effects of reinforcers on behavior. Numerous nonlinear models derived from the framework of Hursh and Silberberg (2008) are often applied to elucidate key metrics in the operant demand framework (e.g., Q₀, PMAX), with each approach presenting respective strengths and trade-offs. This work introduces and demonstrates an adaptive task capable of elucidating key features of operant demand without relying on nonlinear regression (i.e., a targeted form of empirical PMAX). An adaptive algorithm based on reinforcement learning is used to systematically guide questioning in the search for participant-level estimates related to peak work (e.g., PMAX), and this algorithm was evaluated across four varying iteration lengths (i.e., five, 10, 15, and 20 sequentially updated questions). Equivalence testing with simulated agent responses revealed that tasks with five or more sequentially updated questions recovered PMAX values statistically equivalent to seeded PMAX values, which provided evidence suggesting that quantitative modeling (i.e., nonlinear regression) may not be necessary to reveal valuable features of reinforcer consumption and how consumption scales as a function of price. Discussions are presented regarding extensions of contemporary hypothetical purchase tasks and strategies for extracting and comparing critical aspects of consumer demand.

Introduction. This study evaluated hypothetical participation in temporary voluntary removal of firearms from the home to reduce future suicide risk in 408 adult male firearm owners. Methods. A delay discounting approach was applied to evaluate the degree to which these choices were influenced by two dimensions of reinforcer efficacy—delay and magnitude. The decision-making task sampled choice behavior across various durations of temporary voluntary removal of firearms (Delay) and differences in stated potential risk of suicide (Magnitude) as a result of that choice. Results. Results of mixed-effects modeling indicated that the subjective value of immediate access to a firearm was differentially sensitive to both delay and magnitude. Additionally, the scaling of these effects was linked to various other indicators of firearm-specific safety (e.g., use of trigger locks) and suicidality risk (e.g., intolerance of uncertainty). Conclusions. These results provide additional support for behavioral models of decision-making (i.e., delay discounting) when evaluating how specific environmental arrangements and framing may support (or potentially discourage) engagement in means safety activities, inclusive of temporary firearms access restriction. These findings suggest that further analysis of the ecological underpinnings of these choices may help to guide more targeted efforts to engage with firearm owners in safety planning when there are concerns about the potential for suicide.