Homework 1

In this assignment, you will read an article about the Mozart effect and identify various parts of the research process. This exercise will help you learn how to read a research article and to understand the research process.

Read the following article:

• Rauscher, F. H., Shaw, G. L., & Ky, K. N. (1993). Music and spatial task performance. Nature, 365. 6447: 611. (October 14, 1993). (ProQuest Document ID 76004658).

In your article summary, respond to the following questions:

• State the research hypothesis in your own words. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
• What were some variables the researchers controlled in their study? Why was this necessary?
• What evidence do the researchers offer as a test of their hypothesis? Is this evidence empirical (observable)? Is it valid?
• What explanation do the researchers offer for their findings? Does the evidence justify this explanation?

Read the following article:

Jenkins, J.S. (2001). The Mozart effect. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 94, 170-172.

Based on your readings, respond to the following:

• Do you think there is any merit in the study (Rauscher, Shaw, & Ky, 1993)? Give three reasons for your position.
• Does the study take individual differences in spatial ability into account? Explain your answer.
• What are two ways in which the experiment could be modified to make the results more generalizable?

Write a 5–6-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M1_A3.doc.