Creating a Dot-Counting Single-Subject Design Tutorial

Abstract

Single-subjects design has the advantage of providing detailed, individualized analyses of intervention. However, creating a tutorial for single-subject design (SSD) is challenging, and an effective version for online delivery is currently unavailable. Here, we developed an experiential SSD tutorial designed for online delivery and evaluated its pedagogical effectiveness. Fifty-nine undergraduate students participated by completing a three-item online questionnaire, and their free-text responses were analyzed using summative content analysis. The quantitative results indicated that most students found the tutorial highly beneficial. Qualitative findings revealed four key learning points: the SSD design process, types of intervention, the concept of SSD, and behavioral changes. Additionally, two main features—experiential learning and the ability to interpret personal data—facilitated student engagement. We also explore ways to further enhance the teaching of SSD, highlighting the tutorial as a versatile tool for online education that offers students a practical and realistic introduction to single-subject designs.