Use of inferential statistics should be based on the experimental question,
the nature of the design, and the nature of the data. A hallmark of single
-subject designs is that such statistics should not be required to determin
e whether the data answer the experimental question. Yet inferential statis
tics are being included more often in papers that purport to present data r
elevant to the behavior of individual organisms. The reasons for this too o
ften seem to be extrinsic to the experimental analysis of behavior. They in
clude lapses in experimental design and social pressure from colleagues who
are unfamiliar with single-subject research. Regardless of whether inferen
tial statistics are used, behavior analysts need to be sophisticated about
experimental design and inferential statistics. Such sophistication not onl
y will enhance design and analysis of behavioral experiments, but also will
make behavior analysts more persuasive in presenting rationales for the us
e or nonuse of inferential statistics to the larger scientific community.