Randomization Tests for One-Subject Operant Experiments

Abstract

If statistical tests are to be applied to data from one-subject experiments, those experiments, like ordinary multiple-subject experiments, should utilize a type of random sampling or random assignment that provides an appropriate basis for the determination of statistical significance. In one-subject operant experiments it is common to assign blocks of treatment times, rather than individual treatment times, to the treatments. This mode of assignment has made it difficult to justify the application of analysis of variance, time-series analysis, and other parametric procedures in such experiments. On the other hand, randomization tests whose validity for such application is assured can be readily developed. Procedures for developing and applying these randomization tests are given.