REGULATED RANDOMIZATION - A POTENTIALLY SHARPER ANALYTICAL TOOL FOR THE MULTIPLE-BASE-LINE DESIGN

A dual-randomization procedure, regulated randomization, is proposed f or behavioral and educational interventions that incorporate the logic of single-case multiple-baseline designs. The new approach is sharper conceptually and methodologically than previously developed approache s in that regulated randomization maintains the basic integrity of the multiple-baseline design (namely, the systematically staggered introd uction of the intervention across the experimental units) while being statistically practicable with fewer units (N < 4). Moreover, previous ly suggested nonparametric analyses of multiple-baseline data can be s ubsumed by a general regulated randomization formula, The regulated ra ndomization approach provides researchers with a flexible analytic too l that can take into account specific substantive, methodological, and statistical trade-offs.