For this final discussion, I want to look at your knowledge of methods. I want you to do two things.
For Part One (worth 3 points), create a very brief (and by brief, I mean BRIEF) study idea that includes at least one independent variable (with at least two levels) and at least one dependent variable. For example, I came up with this one:
“A researcher wishes to examine whether people high or low in self-esteem react differently to different kinds of therapy for depression. She takes a sample of 120 people (half have high self-esteem and half have low self-esteem) and randomly assigns them to one of three conditions (humanistic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and a control group of no therapy). She records their level of depression after 3 months of therapy. Scores can range from 1 (very little depression) to 30 (extreme depression).”
I am setting the due date for Part One for Wednesday, April 16th. Make sure to submit it by that date. THEN I want you to come back and write a second follow-up comment for Part Two.
For Part Two (worth 2 points), I want you to look at one group members’ study idea and identify the independent and dependent variable, identify the scale of measurement for that DV, and note what the appropriate test should be to analyze any data that comes from the study (a t-Test, ANOVA, chi square, correlation, etc.). For example ...
In the study above there are two independent variables: depression (high versus low) and therapy (humanistic versus cognitive-behavioral versus control). This is a 2 X 3 design with depression level as the dependent variable. Since the dependent variable is an interval scale, the most appropriate test is a factorial ANOVA.