Grading Guide Hypothesis Testing Paperpsy315 Version 61

Grading Guide Hypothesis Testing Paperpsy315 Version 61

This assignment is due in Week Five. Content 60 Percent Points Earned X/10 · Describes the selected research issue, problem, or opportunity. · Formulates a hypothesis statement concerning the selected research issue, problem, or opportunity. · Determines a population and describes which sampling method would be used to generate the sample. · Describes how data would be collected, the level of measurement of the data, and which statistical technique would be used to analyze the data, and why.

Comments: Organization and Development 20 Percent Points Earned X/4 · The paper is 1,050 to 1,400 words in length. · The paper is clear and organized; major points are supported by details, examples, or analysis. · The tone aligns with the assignment’s purpose and is geared toward the appropriate audience. · The paper provides relevant and sufficient background on the topic. · The paper is logical, flows, and reviews the major points.

Comments: Mechanics and Format 20 Percent Points Earned X/4 · The assignment file is presentable and functional. · Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed; spelling is correct. · The paper—including the title page, reference page, tables, and any appendices—is consistent with APA guidelines.

Comments:

Total Earned X/18

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Understanding human behavior and psychological phenomena often hinges on rigorous hypothesis testing within empirical research frameworks. This paper explores a hypothetical study focused on examining the impact of social media usage on college students' mental health, specifically anxiety levels. Through defining the research problem, formulating a hypothesis, determining the sample population and sampling method, outlining data collection procedures, specifying the level of measurement, and selecting appropriate statistical techniques, this work illustrates the foundational steps necessary for a robust hypothesis testing process in psychological research.

Research Issue and Problem

The increasing prevalence of social media platforms among college-aged individuals raises concerns about its potential psychological impacts. Numerous studies suggest a correlation between excessive social media use and heightened anxiety, depression, and reduced well-being (Keles, McCrae, & Grealish, 2020). Despite existing research, inconsistencies and methodological limitations create a need for a well-structured empirical investigation to clarify the nature of this relationship. The research problem is therefore to determine whether high levels of social media usage are associated with increased anxiety among college students.

Formulation of the Hypothesis

Based on the literature review, the primary hypothesis (H₁) posits: "College students who engage in high levels of social media use will exhibit higher levels of anxiety compared to students with lower social media engagement." The null hypothesis (H₀) states: "There is no difference in anxiety levels between students with high and low social media use." This hypothesis aims to statistically evaluate the association between social media consumption and anxiety symptoms, contributing to the understanding of digital media's psychological effects.

Population and Sampling Method

The target population consists of undergraduate students enrolled at a public university in the United States. For representativeness, a stratified random sampling method will be employed, dividing students into strata based on academic year (e.g., freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors). Random samples will then be selected from each stratum proportionally to their presence in the overall population, ensuring diverse representation and reducing sampling bias (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). This approach enhances the generalizability of findings and ensures that different student subgroups are adequately represented.

Data Collection Procedures

Data will be collected through an online survey distributed via university email lists. Participants will complete validated self-report questionnaires measuring social media use and anxiety levels. Social media usage will be quantified by frequency and duration metrics, while anxiety levels will be assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7; Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, & Löwe, 2006). To ensure data accuracy, demographic questions will also be included. The survey will be open for a two-week period, with reminders sent to maximize response rates. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and confidentiality, will be strictly adhered to, following IRB guidelines.

Level of Measurement and Statistical Technique

Social media usage will be measured at the ratio level, capturing actual hours spent on platforms, providing precise quantitative data. Anxiety levels will be measured using the GAD-7, which yields interval data suitable for parametric testing. To analyze the data, an independent samples t-test will be employed to compare mean anxiety scores between high and low social media user groups. This test is appropriate given the continuous nature of the variables and the research design's aim to identify differences between two independent groups (Field, 2013). Prior to analysis, assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variances will be checked to validate the use of the t-test.

Conclusion

This hypothetical study exemplifies essential research steps in hypothesis testing within psychology. By carefully defining the problem, formulating testable hypotheses, selecting a representative sample, systematic data collection, and appropriate statistical analysis, researchers can empirically evaluate the impact of social media on mental health. Such rigorous methodologies are vital for producing reliable, valid, and generalizable findings that can inform interventions and policy decisions aimed at mitigating the psychological toll of digital media usage among college students.

References

• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications.
• Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage.
• Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adolescents. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54(2), 126–141.
• Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097.