Week 3 Writing Assignment: Defining And Measuring Variables ✓ Solved

Week 3 Writing Assignment: Defining and Measuring Variables

For this writing assignment, you will create two different research designs using some combination of the variables provided below. In the first study, one variable from column A must serve as your independent variable (IV), and one variable from column B must be your dependent variable (DV). In the second study, one variable from column B must be your IV, and one variable from column A must be your DV. You cannot use the same variables for both study designs.

Variables to choose from:

  • Hours Spent Studying
  • Attractiveness
  • Anxiety
  • Mood
  • Minutes Spent Exercising
  • Number of Alcoholic Drinks Consumed

For each study, you will need to:

  1. Identify the two variables you are using (0.5 points for each study, 1 point total).
  2. Identify whether each is the IV or the DV (0.5 points for each study, 1 point total).
  3. Provide a hypothesis using the two variables identified in part A (0.5 points for each study, 1 point total).
  4. Describe how you will measure the IV, including how you will manipulate the variable, the number of conditions, and what participants will do or be exposed to in each condition (1 point for each study, 2 points total).
  5. Identify the scale of measurement for the IV and explain how you know this is the correct measurement scale (1 point for each study, 2 points total).
  6. Describe two different ways to measure the DV, including what you will measure and how you will measure it (2 points for each study, 4 points total).
  7. Identify the scale of measurement for each of the DVs identified, explaining how you know this is the measurement scale (1 point for each study, 2 points total).

Your write-up should be about 1-2 pages, with responses for each study clearly separated or labeled. Use full sentences, write in your own words (no quotes), double-space the document with 1-inch margins, and use 12-point Times New Roman font. Carefully proofread to avoid spelling and grammar errors.

Save your document in an acceptable format (.doc, .docx, .pdf, etc.) and submit it through the “Week 3 Writing Assignment” drop box on Blackboard by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, 6/10. Late submissions will incur penalties as specified in the assignment instructions.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Study 1:

Variables:

Variable A: Hours Spent Studying (IV), Variable B: Exam Scores (DV)

Identification of variables:

  • Hours Spent Studying is the independent variable (IV).
  • Exam Scores are the dependent variable (DV).

Hypothesis:

Students who spend more hours studying will perform better on their exams than students who study fewer hours.

Measurement of the IV:

Hours Spent Studying will be manipulated through controlled study sessions. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) Study for 2 hours, 2) Study for 4 hours, or 3) Study for 6 hours. In each condition, participants will be instructed to study specific course materials during the allotted time. This manipulation ensures a controlled variation in study time across conditions.

Scale of Measurement for the IV:

The scale of measurement for Hours Spent Studying is interval because it involves measuring the exact number of hours, which has a meaningful order and equal intervals between values.

Measurement of the DV:

  1. Method 1: Standardized test scores.
  2. Method 2: Number of correct answers on a comprehensive exam administered immediately after the study session.

Scales of Measurement for DVs:

  • Test scores are on an interval scale, as they are numerical scores with equal intervals.
  • Number of correct answers is ratio scale: a count with an absolute zero point.

Study 2:

Variables:

Variable A: Mood (DV), Variable B: Minutes Spent Exercising (IV)

Identification of variables:

  • Minutes Spent Exercising is the independent variable (IV).
  • Mood is the dependent variable (DV).

Hypothesis:

Increasing minutes spent exercising will improve participants' mood levels.

Measurement of the IV:

Minutes Spent Exercising will be manipulated by assigning participants to conditions of 10, 30, and 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling. Participants will engage in the assigned exercise for the specified time, ensuring controlled exposure in each condition.

Scale of Measurement for the IV:

The scale is ratio because the exercise duration is measured in minutes with a true zero point and equal intervals.

Measurement of the DV:

  1. Self-reported mood ratings on a standardized mood scale (e.g., PANAS).
  2. Physiological indicators such as heart rate variability measured with wearable devices.

Scales of Measurement for DVs:

  • Self-reported mood ratings are on an interval scale, as they involve ratings on a Likert-type scale with equal intervals.
  • Heart rate variability is ratio scaled, because it is a physiological measurement with a meaningful zero point.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
  • Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage.
  • Levine, D. (2017). Research methods: Designing and conducting research. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Robson, C., & McCartan, K. (2016). Real world research. Wiley.
  • Snyder, L., & Fouad, N. (2018). Introduction to educational psychology. Pearson.
  • Babbie, E. (2020). The practice of social research. Cengage Learning.
  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge.
  • Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Pearson.
  • Trochim, W., & Donnelly, P. (2020). Research methods (2nd ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage.

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