Scientific Merit Rating Scale of the National Standards Report

Scientific Merit Rating Scale of the National Standards Report

Quality of research design
Use the Scientific Merit Rating Scale of the National Standards Report. Separate criteria are identified for group and single subject research design. Describe the extent to which the research design can lead to credible results in your conclusions section.

Quality of dependent measure
Use the Scientific Merit Rating Scale of the National Standards Report. Separate criteria are identified for tests/scales/checklists and direct behavioral observation. Describe the extent to which the quality of the dependent variable impacts the credibility of the study in the conclusion section.

Evidence of treatment fidelity
Describe the extent to which treatment fidelity data are reported and the quality of these data based on the Scientific Merit Rating Scale of the National Standards Project. Include the extent to which this impacts the credibility of the study in your conclusion section.

Quality of participant ascertainment
Describe the extent to which the authors used scientifically appropriate procedures for identifying and describing the participants. Use the Scientific Merit Rating Scale as an example of how this can be done. Describe the extent to which participant ascertainment impacts the credibility of the study in your conclusion section.

Generality
Describe the extent to which the authors attempted to assess to determine if the effects could be extended through time (e.g., follow up), settings, with different stimuli or people. Describe the extent to which generality influences your assessment of the credibility of the study in your conclusion section.

Results
Describe the outcomes and the extent to which these are meaningful given your critical analysis.
Conclusions
Describe your overall conclusions (including multicultural implications) in 1-2 paragraphs.

Practical applications
Identify how the results of this study could be applied in a school, residential facility, hospital, home, or other applied setting. If you determine the study is so poorly designed that no practical applications can be gleaned, state this succinctly.