ABSTRACT
This chapter describes general issues in measurement and evaluation, with emphasis on direct and systematic measurement of behavior through the use of direct observational recording procedures; reliability; and validity. It explores general factors or issues in measurement and evaluation as it relates to single case research design (SCRD). Two basic types of single case designs exist for evaluating interventions: demonstration and comparison designs. Evaluation is the analysis or comparison of data, collected during measurement process, on which instructional and therapeutic decisions can be based. In applied research there are two basic requirements for evaluating the relation between a study participant's behavior and independent variable. First, accurate, reliable, and frequent measures of behavior are needed. Second, the measurement system must be paired with a SCRD. The data generated by such annual evaluations are more likely to be of interest to school and clinic administrators in determining educational placements, rather than "frontline" teachers and therapists responsible for daily instructional and intervention programs.
