11. Contrasting a repeated-measures research design with matched-subjects and in
ID: 3450758 • Letter: 1
Question
11. Contrasting a repeated-measures research design with matched-subjects and independent-measures designs A graduate student is interested in whether viewing different types of scenes affects working memory. She has participants complete a series of working memory tests before and after walking in an urban setting The first time the graduate student conducted this study, she used a repeated-measures design and compared the adults' baseline scores with their scores after the walk. However, her results were criticized because some argued that the observed changes in scores could have been attributed to practice-as they took the memory test twice rather than being attributed to any effect of the walk. Which of the following are better designs for investigating whether viewing different types of scenes affects working memory? Check all that apply. The repeated-measures design, skipping the baseline test: The graduate student could use a repeated-measures design as she did originally, but have the study participants skip the baseline test and use only the results of the test after the walk. The independent-measures design with random assignment to the control and treatment groups: The graduate student could randomly assign half of her sample to take the walk in an urban setting and half to serve as a control group. She could use an independent-measures t test to compare scores from the test of working memory administered to both groups after the treatment group took the walk in an urban setting The independent-measures design with assignment by baseline scores to the control and treatment groups The graduate student could assign those with the lowest baseline scores to take the walk in an urban setting and have the rest serve as a control group. Both groups would still complete a test of working memory twice, but only those not in the control group would take the walk in an urban setting. She could then use the independent-measures t test to compare the scores from the two groups. The matched-subjects design: The graduate student could use the baseline scores to match each person to another with a similar score. Then she could randomly assign one person in each pair to take the walk in an urban setting and the other person to serve as a control. Everyone would still complete a test of working memory twice, but only those not assigned as controls would take the walk in an urban setting. She could then use a repeated-measures t test comparing the difference in the final scores between the member of the pair who took the walk in an urban setting and the member who did not.Explanation / Answer
The proper solution would be - B: The independent-measures design with random assignment to the control and the treatment groups.
The Researchers main goal – To check if the walk would affect the subjects and improve their cognitive skills.
The complaint – Test – Walk and Test again would mean that the second time around, the student scored better because they were aware of the questions upon re-test.
The solution (option B) – Have Group A take the test as it is and have Group B take a walk and then take the test. The average scores could be compared to check if the walk helps improve the working memory.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.