Derenne and Baron (1999) criticized a quantitative literature review by Kol
lins, Newland, and Critchfield (1997) and raised several important issues w
ith respect to the integration of single-subject data. In their criticism t
hey argued that the quantitative integration of data across experiments con
ducted by Kollins et al. is a meta-analysis and, as such, is inappropriate.
We reply that Kollins et al. offered behavior analysts a technique for int
egrating quantitative information in a way that draws from the strengths of
behavior analysis. Although the quantitative technique is true to the orig
inal spirit of meta-analysis, it bears little resemblance to meta-analyses
as currently conducted or defined and offers behavior analysts a potentiall
y useful tool for comparing data from multiple sources. We also argue that
other criticisms raised by Derenne and Baron were inaccurate or irrelevant
to the original article. Our response highlights two main points: (a) There
are meaningful quantitative techniques for examining single-subject data a
cross studies without compromising the integrity of behavior analysis; and
(b) the healthiest way to refute or question findings in any viable held of
scientific inquiry is through empirical investigation.