Single-System Design
A single-system design is a time-series approach to evaluating practice in which a single client system — an individual, family, group, or organization — is measured repeatedly on a clearly defined target before and during (and sometimes after) an intervention. By tracking the same system over time rather than comparing a treatment group to a control group, it lets a practitioner judge whether their own intervention is associated with change in the people they actually serve. It is the methodological backbone of the 'accountable professional' tradition codified by Bloom, Fischer, and Orme.
Read the full method
Sign in with a free account to read this section.
Method map
The neighbourhood of related methods — select a node to explore.
+8 more
Sources
- Bloom, M., Fischer, J., & Orme, J. G. (2009). Evaluating Practice: Guidelines for the Accountable Professional (6th ed.). Pearson/Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 9780205458066
- Kazdin, A. E. (2011). Single-Case Research Designs: Methods for Clinical and Applied Settings (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780195341881
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 22). Single-System Research Design for Evaluating Practice. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/social-work/single-system-design
Which method?
Set this method beside its closest kin and read them side by side — the library lays the books on the table; the choice is yours.
- AB DesignExperimental design↔ compare
- ABAB designExperimental design↔ compare
- Goal Attainment ScalingSocial Work↔ compare
- Task Analysis (Social Work)Social Work↔ compare