PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods

PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods

Week 1: Data Collection and Management

Research helps you understand a topic more deeply. To develop this understanding, you must review what others have said or studied about the topic. You must also collect data on a specific topic from a variety of sources, including published articles, data, and statistics. The management of this collected data can be daunting.

This week, you will reflect on your own levels of anxiety or comfort about conducting quantitative research in your particular field or discipline. You will also review the elements of the Final Project that you will work on throughout this course PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Evaluate level of personal anxiety related to quantitative research.
  • Analyze how quantitative data are used in your field/discipline.
  • Analyze anxiety, fears, and challenges related to quantitative research.
  • Learning Resources

Required Readings

Johnson, R. B., & Christensen, L. B. (2020). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Chapter 7, “Standardized Measurement and Assessment” (pp. 150-155)
  • Chapter 8, “Methods of Data Collection in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Research” (pp. 179-206)

Salkind, N. (2016). Excel Statistics: A Quick Guide (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.

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  • Preface, “How to Use This Book” (pp. viii-xi)
  • Part I, “Using Excel Functions” (pp.1-7)
  • Part II, “Using the Analysis ToolPak” (pp. 89-91)

Document: Final Project Worksheet (Word document)

Study Notes

Document: The Purpose of Research (e.g., basic research, applied research, evaluation research, research and development, and action research) (PowerPoint presentation)

Document: Important Terms in Quantitative Analysis (e.g., independent variable, dependent variable, dichotomous variables, categorical variables, continuous variables) (PowerPoint presentation)

Required Media

Walden University (Producer). (2019). Common fears and anxiety about research [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 25 minutes

Final Project Datasets

Choose from one of the datasets listed to use for your Final Project. You will need to download both the dataset and its codebook in order to complete the Final Project assignments throughout the course.

Diebold Dataset and Codebook

  • This dataset is a fictionalized set of data reflecting how a random sample of employees in the United States might respond to questions regarding their perceptions of their value in the workplace, their skill level, training in self-advocacy, their job satisfaction, the amount of a raise they requested and whether they received it. Additionally, these fictitious participants were rated by their peers and supervisors (a 360 review).Diebold, C. (n.d.). Diebold Dataset and Codebook. Charles Diebold. 

Document: Diebold Dataset (Excel worksheet)

Document: Diebold Dataset Codebook (Word document)

School Survey on Crime and Safety Dataset and Codebooks

  • The dataset “is a cross-sectional survey of the nation’s public schools designed to provide estimates of school crime, discipline, disorder, programs and policies. Regular public schools were sampled. The data collection was conducted using a mail questionnaire with telephone follow-up. The data collection’s response rate was 62.9 percent. Key statistics produced from SSOCS:2016 include the frequency and types of disciplinary actions taken for select offenses; perceptions of other disciplinary problems, such as bullying, verbal abuse and disorder in the classroom; the presence and role of school security staff; parent and community involvement; staff training; mental health services available to students; and school policies and programs concerning crime and safety.” (National Center for Education Statistics, 2016, para. 1) PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

Reference:
National Center for Education Statistics. (2016). 2015-2016 School Survey on Crime and Safety. U.S. Department of Education. https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/school-survey-on-crime-and-safety-2016  

Document: School Survey on Crime and Safety Dataset (Excel worksheet)

Document: School Survey on Crime and Safety Codebook (Word Document)

Fictional Working Sample Dataset and Codebook

This dataset provides information about adults’ interest in books and electronic tablet use. Demographic information includes gender, age, and characteristics of the town they live in. Note: The data in this sample are fictional and are meant for use within this course only. You cannot share any information based on this dataset outside of the classroom, as the information does not reflect actual participants or a real-world population PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

Document: Fictional Working Sample Dataset (Excel worksheet)

Document: Fictional Working Sample Codebook (Word Document)

Optional Resources

In the event you want to work ahead on your Final Project, please begin reviewing the following resources:

Johnson, R. B., & Christensen, L. B. (2016). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Chapter 7, “Standardized Measurement and Assessment” (pp. 162–188)
  • Chapter 11, “Validity of Research Results in Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Research”

Note: In Chapter 11, pay special attention to the section on quantitative research.

Weems, G. H., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2001). The impact of midpoint responses and reverse coding on survey data. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 34, 166-176.

Weems, G. H., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., Eggers, S. J., & Schreiber, J. B. (2003). Characteristics of respondents who respond differently to positively- and negatively-worded items on rating scales. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 28, 587-607. doi:10.1080/0260293032000130234

Ethics

Every field and discipline of study is different in some way. It also means that every field/discipline of study has a different approach to research and data collection reflecting the nuances of the subject matter. Each method can be daunting to understand, especially to the uninitiated in that area of research. What has been your experience with research, either in school or in your professional career? How prepared do you feel to learn about how to conduct research? Does the idea of conducting experiments, collecting data, interviewing other professionals, or examining data in the literature cause you anxiety? Maybe you love to conduct research and find that it energizes you.

For this Discussion, you will reflect on your personal and professional experience with research and whether or not the idea or act of research brings you a level of anxiety.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Learning Resources for this week and the Common Fears and Anxiety About Research media program.
  • Consider your own personal anxieties, fears, and challenges you might have for research.
  • Consider the following:

Levels of Anxiety Survey

1                    2                    3                    4                    5
(Low)                            (Moderate)                            (High)

On this 5-point scale, with 5 being highest level of anxiety, 3 being moderate, and 1 being the lowest, score yourself as to your level of anxiety about this course. Use these results for your Discussion PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

By Day 4

Post a self-introduction and describe your particular field or discipline. Explain how quantitative data in general are used in your field. Describe how numbers (i.e., quantitative data) are used to interpret a phenomenon in your field or discipline.

Next, based on the Levels of Anxiety survey, explain why you scored yourself at the level of anxiety you selected. Also, discuss your anxiety, fears, and one challenge you might have with research and how you might address this challenge.

Read your colleagues’ postings carefully.

By Day 6

Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ posts and suggest a way to mitigate the challenge presented in her/his post. Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Use proper APA format and citations.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights that you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 1 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 4 and Respond by Day 6

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 1 Discussion

Assignment: Preparing for Data Analysis

You will be using Excel to run the data analyses for this course, which requires loading the Analysis ToolPak for Excel. You are asked to accomplish this during Week 1 so that if you should run into difficulties, you can resolve any issues before you will need to use Excel for your course assignments. Microsoft has a resource with step by step instructions for Windows and for MacOS PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

To Prepare:

Assignment:

  • Follow the instructions to load the Analysis ToolPak in Excel.
  • After you have successfully added the Analysis TookPal Add-in, take a screenshot of the Data tab showing the Data Analysis command is available.

Contact your faculty instructor if you encounter any difficulties.

By Day 7 (required but not assessed)

Load the Analysis ToolPak in Excel and submit your screenshot.

Submission Information

To submit your completed Project for review and grading, do the following:

  • Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
  • Click the Week 1 Assignment link.
  • Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
  • If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
  • Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7

To submit your Assignment:

Week 1 Assignment

Final Project Overview: Connecting Real-World Data through Quantitative Analysis

Cassie is a 9-year-old who received the flu vaccine yet was hospitalized after contracting the flu in 2018. Cassie’s parent is torn on whether or not to give her the flu vaccine in 2019. Based on recent findings from the Center for Disease Control, the flu vaccines have reduced hospitalized risk by almost half (47%) in comparison to previous years (Stanglin, 2019). Is this due to the increased effectiveness of the vaccine or has the virulence of flu strains changed? Quantitative analysis can help answer such questions.

As a working professional, you will experience quantitative data in many different ways. These data will contribute to answering research questions, guiding conclusions, shaping decisions, and helping generate more questions. As part of the Final Project for this course, you will do just that. You will gain a better understanding of how quantitative data and their analyses provide an opportunity for you to see how a phenomenon can impact your field/discipline of study.

Your Final Project for this course will consist of a narrative/report in which you demonstrate your learning through a research question related to a dataset, the variables related to the research question, and the data analyzed using specific types of analysis to determine the results from the data.

There are three items you will use to complete your Final Project. The Final Project Overview, Final Project Worksheet, and Final Project Dataset are in this week’s Learning Resources:

1) Final Project Overview – A document providing specific details about the Final Project criteria. Take time to review this document carefully and plan your time accordingly.

2) Final Project Worksheet – A document that allows you to gather information/notes you need in order to complete your Final Project narrative/report due in Week 11. This Worksheet will be submitted in Week 3 and Week 5 of the course.

3) Final Project – A narrative/report you will develop, applying the criteria in the Final Project Overview and the Final Project Worksheet information gathered throughout the course. The required structure and format for this narrative/report is provided in Week 11 PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

The Final Project is a narrative/report you will develop, applying the criteria in the Final Project Overview and the Final Project Worksheet information gathered throughout the course. The required structure and format for this narrative/report are provided in the Final Project Overview as well as in Week 11.

This week, you will begin your work on Part 1: Selecting a Dataset

Begin completing Part 1 of your Final Project Worksheet; however, it will not be submitted until Week 3 by Day 7.

Reference:
Stanglin, D. (2019). Flu widespread in US with 15.2 million cases since October, but experts see ‘low-severity’ season. Retrieved from USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/02/15/flu-season-15-m-cases-widespread-puerto-rico-47-states-cdc-says/2868271002/

To Prepare:

  • Final Project Overview: Review the Final Project Overview in this week’s Learning Resources and use it to guide your Final Project work.
  • Final Project Worksheet: Access the Final Project Worksheet in this week’s Learning Resources and use it to begin gathering information/notes you will use to develop your Final Project.
  • Review the dataset descriptions provided in Final Project Datasets. Select a dataset that most closely matches an area of interest.
  • Once you select your dataset, use the Final Project Worksheet to complete Part 1: Selecting a Dataset.

There are no submissions required for your Final Project this week.

Submit Final Project Worksheet, Part 1: Selecting a Dataset and Part 2: Research Questions and Design by Day 7 of Week 3.

Week in Review

This week, you considered your own levels of anxiety about quantitative research. You also examined any challenges you might have with research and how to mitigate such challenges. You reviewed the Final Project criteria in the Final Project Overview, as well as the Final Project Worksheet you will complete and periodically submit throughout this course.

Next week, you will identify research questions to help you build a foundation for your research throughout this course and inform your completion of Part 2: Research Questions and Design of your Final Project Worksheet PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

Next Week

Week 2: Developing Quantitative Research Questions

Juanita is a human resources manager who works with young employees, often college students, at a call center. The call center is part of a large technology organization. Juanita has discovered that although there are many opportunities for advancement within the organization, many of the young employees leave after only a few months. She has been asked to determine how the organization might encourage more of these young employees to consider growing and building their careers within the organization. What would you do if you were in Juanita’s position?

An important first step of any research project is to develop a question or set of questions to which you want to find answers. These questions are called research questions. The answers to these research questions will come from your research. In this second week of Module 1, you will develop research questions and corresponding research designs, based on the dataset you selected in Week 1, and then select one of those questions to be the basis for your work throughout the remainder of this course.

This week, you will become familiar with the Excel data analysis menu that you will apply to your work throughout various research phases in this course). Additionally, you will continue your work on Final Project Worksheet, Part 1 and Part 2 PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Create quantitative research questions.
  • Learning Resources

Required Readings

Johnson, R. B., & Christensen, L. B. (2020). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Chapter 4, “How to Critically Review the Literature and Develop Good Research Questions” (pp. 77–105)

Note: Focus on pages 474–482 of the article “Linking Research Questions to Mixed Methods Data Analysis Procedures.”

Document: Research Question Types Quiz Worksheet (Word document)

Note: You will refer to your completed Research Question Types Quiz Worksheet again in Week 4, in order to complete that week’s Discussion 1.

Note: This document provides step-by-step instructions about how to use Excel to access datasets and conduct statistical analyses, as well as how to post visual displays of those analyses PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

Study Notes

Document: Inductive Reasoning and Deductive Reasoning (PowerPoint presentation)

Document: Quantitative Research Designs (PowerPoint presentation)

Document: Quantitative Research Questions (PowerPoint presentation)

Required Media

Walden University (Producer). (2019). Research question types quiz [Interactive file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: Use this interactive quiz for practice identifying types of research questions (i.e., descriptive, relational, or comparative)

Optional Resources

Document: Descriptive Statistics (PowerPoint presentation)

As you consider your statistical software, this resource is common to data analysts and accessible in the Week 7 Learning Resources.


Discussion: Research Question(s)

Karen is a director of human resources at a mid-size company. Her team has been exploring causes of turnover for new employees—employees that start with the company but leave within a year. Some of the research questions she and her team have developed include:

  • What training and advancement opportunities might encourage employees to commit to long-term growth within the company?
  • What benefits are new employees seeking in career-based employment?

For this Discussion, you will generate your own research questions, based on the dataset you chose in Week 1. You will create three different types of research questions (i.e., one descriptive question, one relational question, and one comparative question). Then, select an appropriate research design for each question.

To Prepare:

  • Review this week’s Learning Resources, particularly the Onwuegbuzie & Leech (2006) article, Study Notes, Research Question Types Quiz Worksheet, and Research Questions Types Quiz (interactive media program).
  • Complete the Research Question Types Quiz Worksheet. Then, take the Research Questions Types Quiz interactive media program, referring to the Worksheet as you complete the Quiz. (Note: As you take the Quiz, you will learn the correct answer to each quiz question. Update your Worksheet to reflect the correct answers, as needed, since you will need this information in order to complete the Week 4, Discussion 1). 

By Day 4

Post one of your three different types of research questions (i.e., descriptive question, relational question, or comparative question) based on the dataset you selected in Week 1. Then, post an appropriate research design for the question you post. Explain how the research question might promote positive social change.

By Day 4

Respond to one of your colleagues’ posts and rewrite your colleague’s question to fit one of the other three research question formats (i.e., descriptive, relational, or comparative). Also, identify an appropriate research design for the rewritten question you post.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Use proper APA format and citations.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights that you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 2 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 4 and Respond by Day 6

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 2 Discussion


Assignment: Getting Ready for Data Collection

Throughout this first module of the course, you will be working with data as part of your research. There are many data collection software tools available for both collecting and managing data. In this course, you will use Excel as your method for conducting statistical analyses. Ensure you have loaded the Analysis Toolpak (see the Week 1 Assignment).

Through your Office 365 access or through your personal access, you will use Microsoft Excel for this Assignment and for your Final Project PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

No Assignment submission is required for this week.


Final Project: Connecting Real-World Data through Quantitative Analysis

Have you ever thought about a topic you are really interested in and want to know more about? Are you always wondering how something happened, why it continues to happen, and what can possibly be done to address the situation? Your inquiry is really no different from searching to find the answer to a research question. However, the key to finding the answer is to first have a well thought-out research question.

For this week, you will continue working on Part 1 of your Final Project Worksheet for the submission due in Week 3.

No Assignment submission is required for this week.


Looking Ahead

Plan your time accordingly for your Part 1: Selecting a Dataset and Part 2: Research Questions and Design Final Project Worksheet submission in Week 3. You will receive feedback on your worksheet and incorporating your Instructor’s feedback will be critical to you as you move forward with your Final Project.


Week in Review

This week, you identified research questions related to descriptive, relational, or comparative approaches. These research questions help to form your foundational thinking for your research throughout the remainder of this course. You also began working on your Final Project for this course.

Next week, you will explore challenges and solutions related to the data cleaning and management process. You also will submit Part 1: Selecting a Dataset and Part 2: Research Questions and Design of your Final Project Worksheet. You will receive feedback from your Instructor on your worksheet in Week 4.

Next Week

Week 10: Inferential — Part 3

In 1908, the t statistic was introduced by William Sealy Gosset, a chemist working for the brewery of Arthur Guinness & Son in Dublin, Ireland. Gosset created the t test as an efficient way to determine which variety of barley had the best yield to make the Guinness stout beer (Pagels 2018). His problem was that he had to assess the quality of the barley yield with a relatively small sample size. With a small sample size, he needed some way to infer whether the average yield of a small sample would be the same as for a large sample PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

The most frequently used t test conceptualized by Gosset was what was later known as an independent samples t test. This independent samples t test involved testing the null hypothesis that the means of two populations are equal. That is, the independent samples t test was used to compare two groups on a quantitative measure. In Gosset’s case, if he could quantify whether the mean of his small sample of barley yield would be equal to the mean of the larger sample of barley yield, Guinness would know how much barley to plant for its breweries.

For this last week of Module 2, you will use Excel to conduct and to compare independent samples of data. You will also take a quiz that covers the material in Module 2. Additionally, you will continue working on your Final Project materials, due in Week 11.

Reference:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Pagels, M. (2018, June 11). The curious tale of William Sealy Gosset. Retrieved from https://medium.com/value-stream-design/the-curious-tale-of-william-sealy-gosset-b3178a9f6ac8

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Conduct independent samples t test analysis
  • Analyze data using independent samples t test analysis
  • Demonstrate an understanding of data analysis

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Johnson, R. B., & Christensen, L. B. (2020). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Chapter 18, “Descriptive Statistics” (review)

Salkind, N. J. (2016). Excel statistics: A quick guide (3rd ed.). Sage.

  • Excel Quickguide 49, “t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances”

Required Media

Walden University (Producer). (2019f). Independent t test analysis [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 33 minutes.

 
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Walden University (Producer). (2015d). One-sample and two-sample t-tests [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 8 minutes.

 
–Downloads–
Download Video w/CC
Download Audio
Download Transcript

Excel Practice Datasets

Quick Guide Data Sets

Note: In order to access this data set, select the link that reads, “Click here to download all files” and select the files from the extracted file folder PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

Check Your Understanding Data Sets

Note: In order to access these data sets, select the link that reads, “Click here to download all files” and select the two files from the extracted file folder.


Discussion: Comparing Two Groups: Independent Sample t Tests

A researcher who wishes to compare two populations often is interested either in estimating the difference between two population means or in testing hypotheses about this difference. In order to accomplish either task, information (in the form of a sample) must be obtained from each population. The sample information then is used to make inferences about the difference between these two population means. The type of t test to use when testing hypotheses concerning two population means can depend on several factors. One of these is the method of obtaining samples. For example:

Imagine that a high school developed a new course in reading comprehension for its freshmen. The high school wants to know whether the new course is more effective than the old one. That is, will the mean reading level for freshmen who are given the course be higher than the mean reading level for freshmen who are not given the course?

One way to study the question would be to select a group of freshmen, give them the new course, and then compare their scores on a reading examination with the scores of a group of freshmen from the same institution who did not take the new course. The two samples of scores in this case are called independent. Another method would be to select one group of students and compare their scores on a reading test before they take the new course with their scores on the reading test after they take the new course.  In this case, the two samples of scores would be called dependent, or paired.

Two samples are said to be independent if the data values obtained from one are unrelated to the values of the other. In the example above, the high school could examine the mean reading level of two independent populations: one that took the new course and one that did not take the new course PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

In contrast, the samples are said to be dependent if each data value from one sample is paired in a natural way with a data value from the other sample. In the example above, the same population of students took a reading test before the new course and then took a reading test after the new course. Each student would have two scores. These two scores are paired in a natural way—each score came from the same student.

Now, whether we are dealing with dependent samples or independent samples, we compare the means of two populations by focusing on their difference (i.e., Mean1–Mean2). In this course, you will learn how to make inferences about the difference between two population means when the two samples are independent, yielding what was mentioned earlier as an independent samples t test.

For this Discussion, you will expand the new dataset that you created in Week 7.

  • Review the Learning Resources Salkind course text and the document Working With Datasets Job Aid for information about how to complete the tasks identified in the To Prepare and Post activities.
  • Practice generating t-tests using the Quick Guide Data Set “Q49.Ttest – Equal.xlsx” and the Check Your Understanding Data Sets “QS49a” and “QS49b”.
  • Select a year you wish to compare between political affiliations. Based on the US Demographic Information_PA_PS dataset from Week 9, compare income between the red states and the blue states for your selected year.
  • Use Excel to help you conduct your independent samples t test of your data for this Discussion.

By Day 4 (Post First)

Post the results of your independent samples t test to compare income from the red states to income from the blue states. Next, using the p value associated with the t test (i.e., P(T<=t) two-tail), determine whether there is a statistically significant difference in income between blue states and red states. Explain how big this difference is and what this means.

By Day 6

Respond to one of your colleagues’ posts and explain what you found interesting or surprising about the comparison.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Use proper APA format and citations.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights that you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 10 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 4 and Respond by Day 6

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 10 Discussion


Module 2 Quiz

Modules 1 and 2 of this course provide fundamental information about quantitative data and analysis. At the end of each of these Modules, you will take a quiz to demonstrate your understanding of the topics covered PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

The Module 2 quiz assesses your knowledge of the assigned course readings and material about Data Analysis, found in Weeks 6–10.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Module 2 Learning Resources found in Weeks 6–10 and consider how these resources will help and guide you through your understanding of data analysis.

Module 2 Quiz instructions:

  • The Module 2 quiz consists of 10 multiple-choice questions.
  • Each question is worth 1 point.
  • Questions are presented in random order.
  • This quiz allows you to go back to check or change your answers at any point during your allotted time.
  • This quiz is open book, so you may use your course readings and other resources to help you.
  • You will have unlimited time to finish this quiz by Day 7 of the week.
  • You must pass the quiz with a score of at least 90% to demonstrate competency.
  • Once the quiz has been submitted, the correct answer will be indicated in instances where you have given an incorrect answer.
  • If you need to retake the quiz, a new one will be generated.

By Day 7

Complete and submit your Module 2 Quiz by Day 7.

Submission Information

Submit Your Quiz by Day 7

To submit your Quiz:

Module 2 Quiz


Final Project: Connecting Real-World Data Through Quantitative Analysis

Refer to your Final Project Overview and continue working on Parts 4 and 5 of your Final Project Worksheet.

Parts 4 and 5 of your Final Project Worksheet will be used to complete your Final Project narrative/report due by Day 5 of Week 11.


Looking Ahead

Plan for your Final Project narrative/report to be submitted by Day 7 in Week 11.


Week in Review

This week, you completed Module 2 by using Excel to compare independent samples of data. You also took a quiz over the material in Module 2. Additionally, you continued your work on your Final Project, due in Week 11.

Next week, you will enter the final stage of this course, in which you complete remaining requirements of your Final Project by interpreting quantitative data, analyzing correlation and causation, as well as evaluating threats to internal and external validity of the findings. Finally, you will submit your Final Project narrative/report.

Next Module

 

 

 

Module 3: Data Interpretation

Module 3: Data Interpretation is made up of Week 11 of the course. Ultimately, the goal of research is to gather, analyze, and evaluate data related to one or more research questions and hypotheses, and then share the findings in order to contribute to the collective knowledge base of the examined topic. Throughout this course, you have gathered, analyzed, and evaluated data related to your research question and hypothesis, and for this module you will develop a concise, comprehensive Final Project narrative/ report in which you share your findings, including the methodologies, limitations, and implications of your research PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

Go to the Week’s Content

 

Week 11: Interpretation

Suppose you decided to record for each month the number of snakebites and the amount of ice cream consumed in the United States. Believe it or not, a strong positive correlation exists between these two variables. That is, as the number of snake bites increases, the amount of ice cream consumed also increases. Alternatively stated, as the number of snake bites decreases, the amount of ice cream consumed also decreases. Does this positive correlation mean that eating ice cream causes snakebites? Absolutely not! Does this positive correlation mean that snakebites cause people to eat ice cream? Absolutely not! Instead, there must be a third variable that explains this relationship. Now, as the weather gets warmer, snakes come out of hibernation and become more active. At the same time, people are more likely to eat ice cream because it is warmer. These two facts mean that warmth (or summer) acts as a confounding variable for the relationship between the number of snakebites and the amount of ice cream consumed. A confounding variable is a variable that influences both the independent variable and the dependent variable. Failing to control for confounding variables might cause a researcher to interpret the results incorrectly. As is the case in this snakebite/ice cream example, a confounding variable might reveal a false correlation between the dependent variable and independent variable, leading to an incorrect rejection of the null hypothesis. As such, researchers cannot assert that correlation equals causality. That is, correlation does not imply causation.

Welcome to Module 3. You have reached the final week of this course. As you explore the relationships that exist in your data sets, keep in mind that a relationship does not imply causality. Keep your eyes open to see the various reasons why two variables may be correlated and see what insights you can uncover. In this week, you have no discussion and should plan to spend your time completing your Final Project.

Reference:
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Seaman, M. (1995). The effect of time constraints and statistics test anxiety on test performance in a statistics course. Journal of Experimental Education, 63, 115–124. doi:10.1080/00220973.1995.9943816

 

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Interpret quantitative data to make generalizations for positive social change
  • Differentiate causation from correlation
  • Analyze methods for interpreting data taking into consideration the extent to which the model assumptions hold
  • Evaluate threats to internal validity of the findings
  • Evaluate threats to external validity of the findings

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Note: The “Expanding the Framework of Internal and External Validity in Quantitative Research” article was previously read in Week 5 PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

Optional Resources

Leech, N. L., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). A proposed fourth measure of significance: The role of economic significance in educational research. Evaluation and Research in Education, 18(3), 179–198. doi:10.1080/09500790408668317

Guides for Creating Tables

Final Project: Connecting Real-World Data Through Quantitative Analysis

Final Project Structure and Format

Your Final Project for this course will consist of a narrative/report in which you will apply what you have learned in this course, including presenting a research question related to a dataset, exploring variables that relate to this research question, analyzing the data using descriptive and inferential statistics, describing your results, and discussing your findings, limitations, implications, and possibilities for future research.

For the format and structure of your narrative/report, you will use the Walden Writing Center APA Course Paper Template for Graduate Courses found in this week’s Learning Resources. Your narrative/report must include the information in the Assignment section below.

Assignment (4–6 pages, not including title page, tables and figures, and reference pages. The number of paragraphs in the outline below are recommended ranges and not requirements):

  • Title
  • Introduction (1 paragraph)
    • Present your research question and state your hypothesis.
  • Method (4–6 paragraphs)
    • Participants represented in the dataset
    • Instruments used to measure the variables
    • Procedures used to select, clean, and manage variables from your dataset
    • Analysis (include any tables that display the statistical analyses you conducted on your selected variables)
    • Note: Provide a citation for any reference you use to support your analysis
  • Results (2–4 paragraphs) (include any figures you feel are necessary to support your results)
    • Provide a summary of your findings.
  • Discussion (4–6 paragraphs)
    • Explain whether your findings answered your research question.
    • Describe whether you can draw causal conclusions based on the data and explain why (or why not).
    • Explain any limitations that can limit the reliability or generalizability of your findings (i.e., sample size, sampling strategy, ethical issues, threats to internal and/or external validity, or any other flaws).
    • Discuss the implications of your findings regarding how they might effect positive social change.
    • Based on your findings, what might be the possibilities for future research regarding your research question and topics?

Use proper APA style. You can find information on scholarly writing in the APA Publication Manual and at the Walden Writing Center website. In the Discussion section of your paper, use at least one scholarly reference from a content-based study to compare with your findings.

By Day 5

Submit your Final Project narrative/report this week by Day 5.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Project for review and grading, do the following:

  • Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK11Proj+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
  • Click the Week 11 Project Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
  • Click the Week 11 Project link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
  • Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK11Proj+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
  • If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
  • Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
  • Due to the nature of this assignment, your instructor may require more than 7 days to provide you with quality feedback.
Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 11 Final Project Rubric

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity

To check your Project draft for authenticity:

Submit your Week 11 Project draft and review the originality report.

Submit Your Assignment by Day 5

To submit your Project:

Week 11 Final Project


Week in Review

This week, you completed and submitted your Final Project.

Congratulations! After you have finished all of the assignments for this week, you have completed the course. Please submit your Course Evaluation by the end of the week PSYC 6800: Applied Psychology Research Methods.

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