Final answer:
Functional Analysis typically uses a Single Subject research design, which observes and modifies the behavior of a single individual to determine the impact of interventions without the need for control groups or quasi-experimental designs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functional Analysis in psychology usually employs a Single Subject research design. This type of research focuses on observing and modifying the behavior of a single individual or subject. In this design, the researcher conducts a thorough assessment of the subject's behavior and identifies specific conditions under which the behavior occurs or does not occur. Instead of using control groups or conducting quasi-experimental studies, single subject research often uses the subject as their own control by observing behavior over time, both before and after the implementation of an intervention. This pre- and post-measurement serves as a means of comparison to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
Single Subject research design is a powerful tool for functional analysis because it allows for the observation and manipulation of variables to understand their direct impact on the behavior of the individual. Through this design, experimental controls allow researchers to observe changes in behavior and attribute these changes specifically to the intervention being tested. Hence, the comparison that the single subject design provides is valuable in demonstrating the cause-and-effect relationship between variables and behaviors.