16 May WHAT POTENTIAL CONFOUNDING VARIABLES CAN YOU THINK OF?
First, acquire and read the article:Page 176
Bowman, L. L., Levine, L. E., Waite, B. M., & Gendron, M. (2010). Can students really multitask? An experimental study of instant messaging while reading. Computers & Education, 54, 927–931. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2009.09.024
After reading the article, answer the following questions:
1. This experiment used a posttest-only design. How could the researchers have used a pretest-posttest design? What would the advantages and disadvantages be of using a pretest-posttest design?
2. This experiment used an independent groups design.
a. How could they have used a repeated measures design? What would have been the advantages and disadvantages of using a repeated measures design?
b. How could they have used a matched pairs design? What variables do you think would have been worthwhile to match participants on? What would have been the advantages and disadvantages of using a matched pairs design?
3. What potential confounding variables can you think of?
4. In what way does this study reflect—or not reflect—the reality of studying and test taking in college? That is, how would you evaluate the external validity of this study?
5. How good was the internal validity of this experiment?
6. What were the researchers’ key conclusions of this experiment?
7. Would you have predicted the results obtained in this experiment? Why or why not?
Study Terms
Attrition (also mortality) (p. 166)
Between-subjects design (also independent groups design) (p. 168)
Carryover effect (p. 170)
Confounding variable (p. 162)
Counterbalancing (p. 171)
Fatigue effect (p. 170)
Independent groups design (also between-subjects design) (p. 168)
Internal validity (p. 163)
Latin square (p. 172)
Matched pairs design (p. 174)
Mortality (also attrition) (p. 166)
Order effect (p. 170)
Posttest-only design (p. 163)
Practice effect (also learning effect) (p. 170)
Pretest-posttest design (p. 164)Page 177
Random assignment (p. 168)
Repeated measures design (also within-subjects design) (p. 168)
Selection differences (p. 164)
Solomon four-group design (p. 166)
Within-subjects design (also repeated measures design) (p. 168)
Review Questions
1. What is confounding of variables?
2. What is meant by the internal validity of an experiment?
3. How do the two true experimental designs eliminate the problem of selection differences?
4. Distinguish between the posttest-only design and the pretest-posttest design. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
5. What is a repeated measures design? What are the advantages of using a repeated measures design? What are the disadvantages?
6. What are some of the ways of dealing with the problems of a repeated measures design?
7. When would a researcher decide to use the matched pairs design? What would be the advantages of this design?
8. The procedure used to obtain your sample (i.e., random or nonrandom sampling) is not the same as the procedure for assigning participants to conditions; distinguish between random sampling and random assignment.
Activities
1. Design an experiment to test the hypothesis that single-gender math classes are beneficial to adolescent females. Construct operational definitions of both the independent and dependent variables. Your experiment should have two groups and use the matched pairs procedure. Make a good case for your selection of the matching variable. In addition, defend your choice of either a posttest-only design or a pretest-posttest design.
2. Design a repeated measures experiment that investigates the effect of report presentation style on the grade received for the report. Use two levels of the independent variable: a “professional style” presentation (high-quality paper, consistent use of margins and fonts, carefully constructed tables and charts) and a “nonprofessional style” (average-quality paper, frequent changes in the margins and fonts, tables and charts lacking proper labels). Discuss the necessity for using counterbalancing. Create a table illustrating the experimental design.
3. Professor Foley conducted a cola taste test. Each participant in the experiment first tasted 2 ounces of Coca-Cola, then 2 ounces of Pepsi, and finally 2 ounces of Sam’s Choice Cola. A rating of the cola’s flavor was made after each taste. What are the potential problems with this experimental design and the procedures used? Revise the design and procedures to address these problems. You may wish to consider several alternatives and think about the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Our website has a team of professional writers who can help you write any of your homework. They will write your papers from scratch. We also have a team of editors just to make sure all papers are of HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE. To make an Order you only need to click Ask A Question and we will direct you to our Order Page at WriteDemy. Then fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.
Fill in all the assignment paper details that are required in the order form with the standard information being the page count, deadline, academic level and type of paper. It is advisable to have this information at hand so that you can quickly fill in the necessary information needed in the form for the essay writer to be immediately assigned to your writing project. Make payment for the custom essay order to enable us to assign a suitable writer to your order. Payments are made through Paypal on a secured billing page. Finally, sit back and relax.
About Writedemy
We are a professional paper writing website. If you have searched a question and bumped into our website just know you are in the right place to get help in your coursework. We offer HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE Papers.
How It Works
To make an Order you only need to click on “Order Now” and we will direct you to our Order Page. Fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.
Are there Discounts?
All new clients are eligible for 20% off in their first Order. Our payment method is safe and secure.