Negative Results: Conceptual and Methodological Dimensions in Single-Case Intervention Research

The central roles of science in the field of remedial and special education are to (a) identify basic laws of nature and (b) apply those laws in the design of practices that achieve socially valued outcomes. The scientific process is designed to allow demonstration of specific (typically positive) outcomes, and to assist in the attribution of those outcomes to controlled variables. Although growing recognition is being given to the importance of replication in this process, equal consideration should be given to the function of publishing studies that document negative (or null) results. In this manuscript, we outline the features of negative results in educational and psychological single-case intervention research. We also discuss the assessment, methodological, and statistical dimensions of negative results that should be considered when reporting negative results. The importance of replication studies (direct, systematic, and clinical) is also discussed within the context of negative-results research.