ABSTRACT
In single case design (SCD) research, visual analysis is the primary method of data evaluation; appropriate graphing is critical. Independent analysis of relations between variables is one of many strengths characteristic of SCD research. Graphic representation of data provides researchers and consumers with an efficient, compact, and detailed summary of participant performance. Four basic principles help graphs communicate information to readers: clarity, simplicity, explicitness, and good design. Applied researchers use three basic types of graphic displays: line graphs, bar graphs, and cumulative graphs. When plotting time series data, researcher should generally use a line graph, and when plotting summative data, they should generally use a bar graph. Cumulative records are helpful when sessions represent a single opportunity to respond, or when reaching a cumulative number is critical. A data path using solid line to connect two points implies that there is continuity in the data collection process. Dashed or omitted data path lines are used to identify discontinuous data.
