RESEARCH STUDY 12

question 4

Essay

RESEARCH STUDY 12.3: To study the effects of physical discomfort on attention, Dr.Lopez conducted the following study: A group of participants were required to keep one hand submerged in cold water (52 degrees).Half of the participants kept their hand in the water for 2 minutes, and half of the participants kept their hand in the water for 4 minutes.In addition, half of the participants were given a placebo pill and told it would reduce the pain of the water (pain relief assumed).The other half were given a placebo pill and told that it would have no effect (no pain relief assumed).While their hands were in the water, participants were asked to watch a video where a ball is quickly passed between and underneath three cups.At the end of the video, participants were asked to indicate under which cup the ball could be found.Whether or not the participant picked the correct cup was recorded (as a measure of whether they were paying attention).The results are below. Using the marginal means, state whether it appears that the main effects in Dr.Lopez's study are important.(You do not need to say whether the main effects are statistically significant but simply whether a difference appears to exist.)

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Definitions:

Correlational Studies

Research methods that explore the relationship between two or more variables to determine if a statistically significant association exists, without assuming causality.

Experiment

A scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact, typically involving the manipulation of variables under controlled conditions.

Random Sample

A selection method where every member of a population has an equal chance of being included in the sample, decreasing bias in data collection.

Scientific

Relating to or based on the systematic and empirical study of the natural world through observation and experiment.