Complete a data analysis report using a t-test for assigned variables.
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In this assessment, you'll begin to explore mean group differences in your courseroom data. Is it possible that being in a particular group results in higher or lower mean achievement levels? You're going to explore possible differences in final exam scores for students who attended a review session versus students who did not attend a review session.
Instructions
For this assessment:
- Use the Data Analysis and Application template (DAA Template [DOCX]).
- For help with the statistical software, refer to the JASP Step-by-Step: t Tests [PDF] document.
- View JASP Speedrun: t Test [Video] for a brief tutorial video on this assessment.
- For information on the data set, refer to the 7864 Data Set Instructions [PDF] document.
The grades.jasp file is a sample data set. The data represent a teacher's recording of student demographics and performance on quizzes and a final exam across three sections of the course.
You will analyze the following variables in the grades.jasp data set:
Variables and Definitions
| Variable | Definition |
|---|---|
| Review | Attended review sessions? 1 = no; 2 = yes. |
| Final | Final exam: number of correct answers. |
Step 1: Write Section 1 of the DAA: Data Analysis Plan
- Name the variables used in this analysis and whether they are categorical or continuous.
- State a research question, null hypothesis, and alternate hypothesis for the independent samples t-test.
Step 2: Write Section 2 of the DAA: Testing Assumptions
Test for one of the assumptions of t tests – equality (homogeneity) of variances.
- Create statistical output showing the Levene's Test for Equality Variances.
Paste the table in the DAA template.
Interpret the Levene's test.
Step 3: Write Section 3 of the DAA: Results & Interpretation
- If the homogeneity assumption is not violated (Section 2), run the “Student” version of the independent samples t-test in the statistical software.
- If the homogeneity assumption is violated, run the “Welch” version of the independent samples t-test in the statistical software.
- Also run the “Descriptives” option to obtain the means and standard deviations for each group.
Paste the statistical software output of the t test into the DAA template. Below the output:
- Report the means and standard deviations for each group.
- State the results of the t test.
- Interpret the statistical results against the null hypothesis and state whether it is rejected or not rejected.
Step 4: Write Section 4 of the DAA: Statistical Conclusions
- Provide a brief summary of your analysis and the conclusions drawn about this t test.
- Analyze the limitations of the statistical test and/or possible alternative explanations for your results.
Step 5: Write Section 5 of the DAA: Application
- Analyze how you might use the independent samples t test in your field of study.
- Name an independent variable and dependent variable that would work for such an analysis and why studying it may be important to the field or practice.
Submit your DAA Template as an attached Word document in the assessment area.
Software
The following statistical analysis software is required to complete your assessments in this course:
Refer to the Tools and Software: JASP page on Campus for general information. Make sure that your statistical software is downloaded, installed, and running properly on your computer.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
- Competency 1: Analyze the computation, application, strengths, and limitations of various statistical tests.
- Analyze statistical assumptions.
- Competency 2: Analyze the decision making process of data analysis.
- Articulate the data analysis plan.
- Competency 3: Apply knowledge of hypothesis testing.
- Interpret statistical results and hypotheses.
- Competency 4: Interpret the results of statistical analyses.
- Explain statistical conclusions, the limitations of the test, and/or possible alternative explanations.
- Competency 6: Apply the results of statistical analyses (your own or others) to your field of interest or career.
- Analyze the potential applications of the test in the field and their implications.
- Competency 7: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with the expectations for members in the identified field of study.
- Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and adheres to APA style and formatting.
Scoring Guide
Use the scoring guide to understand how your assessment will be evaluated.
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Criterion 1
Articulate the data analysis plan.Distinguished
Accurately articulates the data analysis plan. Ensures the plan is well justified, logical, and thorough.
Proficient
Accurately and logically articulates the data analysis plan.
Basic
Insufficiently articulates the data analysis plan and/or the plan contains some errors of logic and/or application.
Non Performance
Does not articulate the data analysis plan.
Criterion 2
Analyze statistical assumptions.
Distinguished
Accurately analyzes and thoroughly evaluates and assesses statistical assumptions.
Proficient
Accurately analyzes and explains statistical assumptions.
Basic
Incorrectly analyzes statistical assumptions and/or the analysis contains some errors of logic and/or application.
Non Performance
Does not analyze statistical assumptions.
Criterion 3
Interpret statistical results and hypotheses.
Distinguished
Accurately interprets statistical results and hypotheses, and ensures the statistical results are thoroughly evaluated and assessed.
Proficient
Accurately interprets statistical results and hypotheses.
Basic
Incorrectly interprets statistical results and hypotheses and/or the interpretation contains some errors of logic and/or application.
Non Performance
Does not interpret statistical results and hypotheses.
Criterion 4
Explain statistical conclusions, the limitations of the test, and/or possible alternative explanations.
Distinguished
Ensures the statistical conclusions, the limitations of the test, and/or possible alternative explanations are logical and thoroughly evaluated.
Proficient
Logically and accurately explains statistical conclusions, the limitations of the test, and/or possible alternative explanations.
Basic
Insufficiently explains statistical conclusions, the limitations of the test, and/or possible alternative explanations and/or the explanation contains some errors of logic and/or application.
Non Performance
Does not explain statistical conclusions, the limitations of the test, and/or possible alternative explanations.
Criterion 5
Analyze the potential applications of the test in the field and their implications.
Distinguished
Thoroughly evaluates potential applications of the test in the field and their implications.
Proficient
Analyzes the potential applications of the test in the field and their implications.
Basic
Incorrectly analyzes potential applications of the test in the field and their implications. The applications and implications are not well discussed or contain some errors in logic.
Non Performance
Does not analyze the potential applications of the test in the field and their implications.
Criterion 6
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and adheres to APA style and formatting.
Distinguished
Exhibits strict and nearly flawless adherence to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards, including APA style and formatting.
Proficient
Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and adheres to APA style and formatting.
Basic
Inconsistently communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and adheres to APA style and formatting.
Non Performance
Does not communicate in a manner that is scholarly or professional or adhere to APA style and formatting.