statistics in psychology essay

Directions: Think of a research topic or specific research question that interests you. You will get MUCH more out of this assignment if you choose something you are interested in! Once you have your research question, in paragraph form, describe the independent and dependent variables, state your hypothesis, and think about how you would analyze this data once you collect it. You will also be required to provide at least four valid* sources of information that relate to your topic.   Please do not ask me about page numbers. My policy is quality over quantity. As long as you include the below information, length of essay does not matter.

NOTE: You are NOT actually collecting this data. Imagine that you have collected it and now you need to analyze it!

Part 1: Introduction

• What is your SPECIFIC research question? Remember, an experiment is done to scientifically prove something…think about what you want to prove and how you would collect that data.
• Cite at least four sources (*encyclopedias, textbooks, peer-reviewed articles, NOT Wikipedia, etc) that explain/support/contradict your question or argument. You will list these sources at the end of your essay in your References page. (See APA manual for proper way to make Reference page).

Part 2: Methodology

• What is your independent variable? Choose ONE. This is what the researcher (you) is manipulating/adding/subtracting/controlling…AKA the treatment effect.
  • Define your independent variable as specifically as possible
  • Your IV must have at least 3 levels…so you would have to conduct an ANOVA
  • Between-Subjects or Repeated Measures = totally up to you
• What is your dependent variable? Choose as many as you want. (Remember, more DVs more analyses!) This is what you are measuring.
  • Give a SPECIFIC explanation of how it is going to be measured (survey, scale, units of measurement, etc).
• State a specific and clear hypothesis of the relationship you predict between the IV and the DV.
  • Example: IV = gallons of ice cream; DV = Olga’s weight (measured in pounds)
  • It is predicted that Olga’s weight will increase if she continues to eat a gallon of ice cream per day. By eating more gallons of ice cream, it is expected that Olga’s weight in pounds will increase.

Part 3: Data Analysis

• Which type of analysis are you going to use to analyze your data?
• What does it mean (in relation to your specific hypothesis) if your F is significant?
• Are you going to conduct post-hoc tests? If yes, which one? Why?
• Which groups (pairs) of the levels of the IV are you going to compare?
• Write a conclusion rejecting the null hypothesis and what it means for your experiment.

Part 4: References

• Include all your references on a separate page at the back of your essay. You can use your APA manual for proper formatting OR visit: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/ (Links to an external site.).