Final answer:
Repeated measures in single-subject design refer to the multiple measurements of a participant's behavior over time to determine the reliability and effects of an intervention. It ensures true replication and not pseudo-replication, highlighting the significance of the causal relationship between variables.
Step-by-step explanation:
Repeated measures in single-subject design involve taking multiple measurements of the same individual's behavior over time. This approach is central to establishing the reliability and validity of the results within an experimental framework. By applying repeated measures, researchers can determine whether changes in behavior are consistent over time, which can be indicative of the effectiveness of an intervention or treatment. Moreover, by observing the participant over multiple instances, the study avoids the risks associated with pseudo-replication, ensuring that the changes are not due to chance or uncontrolled variables.
Furthermore, repeated measures allow for the analysis of patterns of response to the experimental manipulation, thereby understanding the causal effect of the independent variable. By comparing the results from different phases of the experiment (e.g., pretest, posttest), researchers can determine if the experimental manipulation led to significant changes in the dependent variable. This method enhances the study's internal validity and provides a robust framework for analyzing predicted and unpredicted data.