Recent literature suggests a revival of interest in single-case methodology (e.g., the randomised n-of-1 trial is now considered Level 1 evidence for treatment decision purposes by the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine). Consequently, the availability of tools to critically appraise single-case reports is of great importance. We report on a major revision of our method quality instrument, the Single-Case Experimental Design Scale. Three changes resulted in a radically revised instrument, now entitled the Risk of Bias in N-of-1 Trials (RoBiNT) Scale: (i) item content was revised and increased to 15 items, (ii) two subscales were developed for internal validity (IV; 7 items) and external validity and interpretation (EVI; 8 items), and (iii) the scoring system was changed from a 2-point to 3-point scale to accommodate currently accepted standards. Psychometric evaluation indicated that the RoBiNT Scale showed evidence of construct (discriminative) validity. Inter-rater reliability was excellent, for pairs of both experienced and trained novice raters. Intraclass correlation coefficients of summary scores for individual (experienced) raters: ICC(TotalScore) = .90, ICC(IVSubscale) = .88, ICC(EVISubscale) = .87; individual (novice) raters: ICC(TotalScore)= .88, ICC(IVSubscale) = .87, ICC(EVISubscale) = .93; consensus ratings between experienced and novice raters (ICC(TotalScore) = .95, ICC(IVSubscale) = .93, ICC(EVISubscale) = .93. The RoBiNT Scale thus shows sound psychometric properties and provides a comprehensive yet efficient examination of important features of single-case methodology.

There is substantial evidence that research studies reported in the scientific literature do not provide adequate information so that readers know exactly what was done and what was found. This problem has been addressed by the development of reporting guidelines which tell authors what should be reported and how it should be described. Many reporting guidelines are now available for different types of research designs. There is no such guideline for one type of research design commonly used in the behavioral sciences, the single-case experimental design (SCED). The present study addressed this gap. This report describes the Single-Case Reporting guideline In BEhavioural interventions (SCRIBE) 2016, which is a set of 26 items that authors need to address when writing about SCED research for publication in a scientific journal. Each item is described, a rationale for its inclusion is provided, and examples of adequate reporting taken from the literature are quoted. It is recommended that the SCRIBE 2016 is used by authors preparing manuscripts describing SCED research for publication, as well as journal reviewers and editors who are evaluating such manuscripts.

Published reports describing interventions featuring a single participant are common in neurorehabilitation. Yet, not all such reports use rigorous single-case methodology and there is mounting evidence to suggest that the design, conduct and report of single-case research in the behavioural sciences (including neurorehabilitation) needs improvement. The first part of this article describes resources that will guide the improved design, conduct and critical appraisal of single-case research, including recently published standards in the field of special education and the Risk of Bias in N-of-1 Trials (RoBiNT) Scale for evaluating internal and external validity of designs using a single participant. The second part of the article reports on work currently in progress in developing a reporting guideline in the CONSORT tradition specifically for single-case experimental designs in the behavioural sciences, entitled the Single-Case Reporting guideline In BEhavioural interventions (SCRIBE). It is anticipated that adoption and use of these resources by authors, reviewers and journal editors will improve the reporting and, potentially, the quality of the single-case literature.