Choosing inferential tests

One reason the psychologist used a Pearson’s r test in this study is because:

• Both variables are measured on an interval or ratio scale.

• The data was nominal

• The data were not normally distributed.

• The study involved more than two variables.

It was appropriate to use a Wilcoxon test in this situation because:

• The data were not normally distributed and the study involved related measures

• The data were normally distributed and the study involved independent groups.

• The data were categorical and the study involved more than two groups.

• The data were interval and the study involved a large sample size.

The calculated value of r for the Pearson’s test was +0.42. Which one of the following scattergrams best represents a correlation coefficient of +0.42? Shade one box only.

• A

• B

• C

• D

The calculated value of r for the Pearson’s test was +0.42..

Is the psychologist’s calculated value significant? With reference to the table above, explain your answer.

• Yes, the calculated value is significant.

• No, the calculated value is not significant.

• The significance cannot be determined from the information given.

• The calculated value is always significant regardless of the table.

Which of the following is an appropriate hypothesis for the experiment described by the psychologist on recreational screen time and academic performance in children?

• There is a difference in academic performance between children who have no recreational screen time and those who have unrestricted recreational screen time.

• All children perform equally well regardless of recreational screen time.

• Recreational screen time improves academic performance in all children.

• Children who have no recreational screen time will always score lower than those with unrestricted screen time.

A researcher believed that aggression levels are higher in hot environments rather than cold environments. He set up an experiment where individuals had to complete a complex puzzle. The experiment used two different groups of participants in each condition. In one condition the room was heated at 88 degrees and in the other it was 56 degrees. The psychologist rated the levels of aggression shown by each participant in each condition.

• Spearman's Rho

• Wilcoxon

• Mann Whitney

• Related t test

A researcher was interested to know whether there was a difference in ‘enjoyment rating’ of A level Psychology students at the beginning and end of the course.

• Spearman's

• Wilcoxon

• Mann Whitney

• Sign test

A researcher wanted to know whether students had better reaction times before or after having a drink with alcohol in it. The expectation was that reaction times would be faster before alcohol. The calculated value for 20 students was –1.920.

• Related t test

• Pearson's R

• Mann Whitney

• Unrelated t test

A psychologist carried out a study investigating the effect of organisation on memory. One group of participants was given organised word lists and the other group was given disorganised word lists. The researcher expected to find a difference between the participants who was given the organised and disorganised lists.

• Wilcoxon

• Related t tests

• Mann Whitney

• Unrelated t-tests

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2. A psychologist was interested in investigating the idea that a person’s pupils will dilate when they are attracted to another individual. They used two groups of participants and measured whether their pupils dilated or not.

• Sign test

• Mann Whitney

• Chi squared

• Wilcoxon