Research Designs and Literature in the Field of Visual Impairment: What Informs Our Practices?

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 356-369
Author(s):  
Chevonne Sutter ◽  
MaryAnn Demchak ◽  
Brianna Grumstrup ◽  
Andrea Forsyth ◽  
Jill Grattan
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
The Body ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Single Case Designs ◽  
Children With Visual Impairments

Introduction: This descriptive study identified types of articles published and research designs used in targeted special education journals. Articles in visual impairment (i.e., low vision or blindness) published between 2012 and 2017 were examined to determine what literature informed the field during the 6-year period. Method: A total of 4,850 articles from 37 journals were reviewed. Initially, all articles published from 2012 through 2014 in targeted disability journals across categories related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) were reviewed. Subsequently, articles published from 2015 through 2017 in six key journals in visual impairment and deafblindness were reviewed. Each article in every volume of selected journals in the 6-year period was coded for type, research design, and target population. Results: The majority of research designs implemented with IDEA-eligible individuals with visual impairments were quantitative, specifically regression analyses, comparative, and single-case research designs (hereafter, single-case designs). Studies targeting non-IDEA eligible participants nearly doubled those targeting children with visual impairments. Less than one third of studies identified were intervention studies. Single-case designs were the most commonly used designs for intervention studies, and few reported effect size. The overall small number of studies with children with visual impairments indicate an increased need for experimental studies to identify evidence-based practices. Discussion: A greater number of empirical than nonempirical articles was identified in visual impairment, possibly indicating increased investigation of practices and interventions. This trend aligns with the current focus on using evidence and data to support practice and policy. Further research should evaluate quality of studies. Implications for practitioners: It is important to be familiar with the body of research informing the field of visual impairment to understand the evidence underlying its practices and policies. It is recommended that increased numbers of high-quality intervention studies be conducted to identify evidence-based practices.

A Systematic Review of the Evidence Base for Active Supervision in Pre-K–12 Settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-182
Author(s):  
Grant Edmund Allen ◽  
Eric Alan Common ◽  
Kathryn A. Germer ◽  
Kathleen Lynne Lane ◽  
Mark Matthew Buckman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
The Body ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Single Case Design ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
K 12 ◽  
The Impact

Active supervision is a proactive, low-intensity strategy to minimize challenging behaviors and increase desired behaviors. To examine the evidence base of this strategy, we applied the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Standards for Evidence-Based Practices in Special Education to the body of research exploring the impact of active supervision with Pre-K–12 students in traditional school settings. In this systematic literature review, we identified seven peer-reviewed, single-case design, treatment-outcome studies meeting inclusion criteria. All studies met a ≥80% weighted criterion of CEC’s quality indicators. These seven studies included 15 cases aggregated at the school, classroom, or grade level, collectively involving 1,686 participants. Three studies included three or more cases and demonstrated positive effects across primary dependent variables (with one study showing neutral effects on a secondary dependent variable). Based on available evidence and using CEC criteria, we determined active supervision to be a potentially evidence-based practice. We discuss implications, limitations, and future directions.

Case Studies Using Program Evaluation to Drive Evidence-Based Practices

2018 ◽  
pp. 109-131
Author(s):  
Julie Q. Morrison ◽  
Anna L. Harms
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
First Case ◽  
Single Case Designs ◽  
The Cost

This chapter consists of three case studies that illustrate how the evaluation approaches, methods, techniques, and tools presented in Chapters 1 to 5 can be translated into practice. The first case study describes an evaluation of the Dyslexia Pilot Project, a statewide multi-tier system of supports (MTSS) initiative targeting early literacy. In this evaluation, special attention was paid to the evaluating the cost-effectiveness of serving students in kindergarten to grade 2 proactively. The second case study features the use of single-case designs and corresponding summary statistics to evaluate the collective impact of more than 500 academic and behavioral interventions provided within an MTSS framework as part of the annual statewide evaluation of the Ohio Internship Program in School Psychology. The third case study focuses on efforts to evaluate the fidelity of implementation for teacher teams’ use of a five-step process for data-based decision making and instructional planning.

scholarly journals Inquiry-Based Education for Students with Visual Impairment

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah L. Rooks-Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Science Classroom ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Science Pedagogy ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Search ◽  
Support Evidence

The purpose of the study presented here was to identify and synthesize studies of evidence-based practices for working with students with visual impairment in the science classroom. Expanding a comprehensive literature search conducted in 1992, 10 empirical reports were found and reviewed. A synthesis of the results showed strong support for inquiry-oriented approaches to science instruction for children with disabilities. Evidence also was found that knowledge of science pedagogy for children with disabilities is continuing to increase; however, the literature to support evidence-based methodology for students with visual impairment in the science classroom is sparse. This critical review is a call for research that provides support for inquiry approaches in science education for the learner with a visual impairment.

The Cascading Coaching Model for Supporting Service Providers, Caregivers, and Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedda Meadan ◽  
Moon Y. Chung ◽  
Michelle M. Sands ◽  
Melinda R. Snodgrass
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Change Agents ◽  
Functional Relation ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Coaching Model ◽  
Young Children With Disabilities

Teaching caregivers to support their young children’s language development is recommended as an effective early language intervention, and caregiver-implemented interventions are recognized as evidence-based. However, as the natural change agents for training and coaching caregivers, early intervention (EI) service providers are in need of professional development to effectively coach caregivers to use interventions with their child. The purpose of this study was to examine the Coaching Caregivers Professional Development program (CoCare PD) in which researchers train and coach EI service providers via telepractice in caregiver coaching, a set of skills useful in nurturing partnerships with families to support caregivers’ use of evidence-based practices with their young children with disabilities. A single-case research study across four EI service providers was conducted and findings support a functional relation between training and coaching EI service providers via telepractice and providers’ use of coaching practices with families on their caseload.

scholarly journals Service quality at the London 2012 games – a paralympics athletes survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bamford ◽  
Benjamin Dehe
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Single Case ◽  
The Body ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Sporting Events ◽  
Defined Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
London 2012 ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Mega Event

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on aspects of service quality at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, from a rather unusual perspective, the athletes. To date there has been little evidence captured about athlete’s satisfaction at sporting events, and specifically about their perceptions of the service quality provided. Design/methodology/approach – Unique “full” access to the London 2012 Paralympics allowed to the collection of data directly from the athletes. The study reports the questionnaire findings from a sample of 250 respondents. Findings – From this study an operational assessment and performance framework has been generated composed of ten criteria and 73 items or sub-criteria, which can be used as a benchmarking tool to plane, design and compare future sport mega-event. Moreover, the study evidence based the high quality of the 2012 Paralympics Games, as he athletes rated, on a five point Likert scale, 64 items in the “very satisfied” category, a very positive set of feedback for the Games organisers. Research limitations/implications – The methodology applied was appropriate, generating data to facilitate discussion and draw specific conclusions from. A perceived limitation is the single case approach; however, this can be enough to add to the body of knowledge where very little evidence has been captured so far and where the objectives were to explore the Paralympics games service quality and performance. Practical implications – This research provides a tangible evidence base to support future sport event decision makers, planners and designers in this highly complex “arena”. In any system there are always areas for improvement, these are highlighted within the paper for further investigation. Originality/value – This is the first paper to identify and synthesize aspects of sport mega event service quality from the athletes viewpoint and informs how well designed, organised and managed the London 2012 Games were from a primary user perspective. The paper makes a defined contribution by developing evidence based recommendations for this important yet under researched area.

Content Analysis of Evidence-Based Articles in The Journal of Special Education

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-227
Author(s):  
Larry B. Fisher ◽  
Fred Spooner ◽  
Bob Algozzine ◽  
Kelly M. Anderson ◽  
Chelsi R. Brosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Academic Skill ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Single Case Designs

Conducting and supporting scientifically valid research activities and implementing evidence-based practices have driven recent hopes and efforts to achieve better outcomes for all students. In the context of ongoing internal review and continuous improvement, we were interested in how this evolution was reflected in empirical studies published in The Journal of Special Education ( JSE). We coded key variables related to evidence-based research in articles published between 2004 and 2017. We found that most studies included elementary- or secondary-aged students with disabilities in general or special education classroom settings with teachers or researchers assessing the benefits of academic skill training interventions using single-case designs. We discuss implications for ongoing internal reviews and assessments as well as for comparisons, benchmarking, and evaluations within the field.

Status of single-case research designs for evidence-based practice

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 931-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny L. Matson ◽  
Nicole C. Turygin ◽  
Jennifer Beighley ◽  
Michael L. Matson
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Case Research ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Single Case Research

scholarly journals Assessing Functional Relations in Single-Case Designs

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 878-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumen Manolov ◽  
Vicenta Sierra ◽  
Antonio Solanas ◽  
Juan Botella
Keyword(s):  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Functional Relation ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Functional Relations ◽  
Data Variability ◽  
Single Case Designs ◽  
Meta Analyses

In the context of the evidence-based practices movement, the emphasis on computing effect sizes and combining them via meta-analysis does not preclude the demonstration of functional relations. For the latter aim, we propose to augment the visual analysis to add consistency to the decisions made on the existence of a functional relation without losing sight of the need for a methodological evaluation of what stimuli and reinforcement or punishment are used to control the behavior. Four options for quantification are reviewed, illustrated, and tested with simulated data. These quantifications include comparing the projected baseline with the actual treatment measurements, on the basis of either parametric or nonparametric statistics. The simulated data used to test the quantifications include nine data patterns in terms of the presence and type of effect and comprise ABAB and multiple-baseline designs. Although none of the techniques is completely flawless in terms of detecting a functional relation only when it is present but not when it is absent, an option based on projecting split-middle trend and considering data variability as in exploratory data analysis proves to be the best performer for most data patterns. We suggest that the information on whether a functional relation has been demonstrated should be included in meta-analyses. It is also possible to use as a weight the inverse of the data variability measure used in the quantification for assessing the functional relation. We offer an easy to use code for open-source software for implementing some of the quantifications.

scholarly journals Bundle approach used to achieve zero central line-associated bloodstream infections in an adult coronary intensive care unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e001200
Author(s):  
Poonam Gupta ◽  
Mincy Thomas ◽  
Ashfaq Patel ◽  
Reeba George ◽  
Leena Mathews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Central Line ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Healthcare Improvement ◽  
Critical Patients ◽  
Clabsi Rate

BackgroundCentral venous catheterisation is commonly used in critical patients in intensive care units (ICU). It may cause complications and attribute to increase mortality and morbidity. At coronary ICU (CICU) of cardiac hospital, central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate was 2.82/1000 central line days in 2015 and 3.11/1000 central line days in 2016. Working in collaboration with Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), we implemented evidence-based practices in the form of bundles in with the aim of eliminating CLABSI in CICU.MethodsIn collaboration with IHI, we worked on this initiative as multidisciplinary team and tested several changes. CLABSI prevention bundles were tested and implemented, single kit for line insertion, simulation-based training for line insertions, standardised and real-time bundle monitoring by direct observations are key interventions tested. We used model for improvement and changes were tested using small Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Surveillance methods and CLABSI definition used according to National Healthcare Safety Network.ResultsThe CLABSI rate per 1000 patient-days dropped from 3.1 per 1000 device-days to 0.4 per 1000 device-days. We achieved 757 days free of CLABSI in the unit till December 2018 when a single case happened. After that we achieved 602 free days till July 2020 and still counting.ConclusionsImplementation of evidence-based CLABSI prevention bundle and process monitoring by direct observation led to significant and subsequently sustained improvement in reducing CLABSI rate in adult CICU.

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