Statistical inference in behavior analysis: Environmental determinants?

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.