Research Project

Here we use a one way (one independent variable) ANOVA to analyze the data. Note that it is still a randomized groups design.

The purpose of the research project is to test an idea derived from levels of processing theory. Basically this theory predicts that memory is a function of the depth of processing, that is the deeper the processing the better the memory. There are three basic levels of processing. The most superficial level, for example, would be passively responding to the target word (e.g., listening to the target being spoken by someone). The intermediate level of processing would be, for example, finding items that rhyme with the target word (e.g., the target word is ‘dog’ and you say ‘smog’). The third level of processing (i.e., the deep or semantic level) would involve, for example, finding words that are adjectives of the target work (e.g., the target word was ‘dog’ and you say ‘animal’. The theory would predict the following memory recall: adjective >rhyme> repeat. We will test this hypothesis. Basically, the idea is if you attach meaning to what you are processing or reading, then your memory will be better for that information.

The independent variable is ‘levels of processing’ with three levels (listen, rhyme and adjective). The dependent variable is the number of words recalled. Based on the information processing theory it is hypothesized that participants in the adjective condition will recall more words than participants in the rhyme or listen condition. Furthermore, participants in the rhyme condition will recall more words than participants in the listen condition.

Three individuals were found who were older than 21 years, and volunteered to participate. Participants were randomly assigned to the conditions (listen, rhyme, and adjective). Then tested the participants in an environment that was free from distractions (e.g., no TV). After testing, they were informed about the nature of the study and answered any questions they had (none). Below is a copy of the instructions that was followed when gathering my data.

Research Project 2 will test this theory. You will need to test 3 participants. In order to conduct the study, you will need a watch, two pieces of paper for each participant, and a pencil. You need to randomly assign your three participants to the three conditions (listen, rhyme, and adjective). Test your participants separately in a well controlled environment. Provide the participant with a pencil and two blank pieces of paper. IN ORDER FOR THIS EXPERIMENT TO WORK, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT MENTION THAT THEIR MEMORIES WILL BE TESTED!

The participants will be instructed that a list of words will be presented with each word being presented for 5 seconds (see below for the list of words) and that when each word is presented they are supposed to (depending on the condition) either listen to the word ( listen condition ), write on the sheet of paper a word that rhymes with the presented word ( rhyme condition ) or write on the sheet of paper a word that is an adjective of the presented worded ( adjective condition ). Note that each participant only receives one of the conditions. After presenting all 24 words (see below for the list of words), have the participant turn in the sheet of paper to you. Then on the other sheet of paper, instruct the participant to write down as many of the words as possible stressing that is it not necessary that they remember they write the words in the order in which they were presented. Allow the participant 5 minutes to complete the memory task and then have the participant turn in the paper to you. At this time, you should debrief the participant telling the person the purpose of the study and the theory behind if the participant has any questions. Finally, thank the person for participating in the study.

Instructions: Inform each participant that he/she will see a list of words with each word being presented for five seconds. Then depending on the condition, instruct the person to listen to the word,write a rhyme to the word or write an adjective to the word. Use your watch to time the five second duration. When this phase of the experiment is completed, collect the sheet of paper and provide the participant with the other sheet of paper and instruct the person to write as many of the words as possible that were presented. Allow the participant to five minutes to recall the words. Finally debrief and thank your participant.

RABBIT

CHAIR

CASTLE

FORK

PEAR

ROSE

DOG

LAMP

TENT

POT

GRAPE

LILY

DEER

TABLE

HUT

DISH

PLUM

DAISY

FROG

DRESSER

HOUSE

KNIFE

PEACH

POPPY

Your dependent measure is the number of correct words recalled minus any words that were written that were not on the original list

Here is the data that I collected: Listen: 5, rhyme: 7, adjective: 16 and here is the data collected from the entire class (including mine):

Listen:7, 4, 6, 7, 8, 3, 8, 9, 7, 4, 4, 7, 4, 6, 6, 5, 14, 5, 7, 7

Rhyme: 6, 4, 7, 6, 10, 7, 11, 8, 6, 9, 6, 10, 7, 9, 6, 8, 7, 7, 10, 9

Adjective: 8, 13, 12, 14, 13, 10, 16, 13, 14, 13, 13, 20, 11, 14, 13, 14, 16, 16, 20, 12

There were 20 Researchers and 60 Participants in this study.

Please Input and analyze the data using your version of SPSS. Use the information from the output to write the paper.

Start with describing the purpose of the study (to test an idea derived from levels of processing theory), the independent (‘levels of processing’ with three levels: listen, rhyme and adjective) and dependent (the number of words recalled) variables, any hypotheses that were formulated, a brief description of the methodology including the total number of researchers (20), how much data was collected by each researcher (1 participant per each level for a total of 3), total number of subjects tested for all researchers (60), the materials you used (a watch, 2 pieces of paper for each participant and a pencil), how the study was conducted, the results and discussion.

Basically, you need to describe the type of test (i.e., one way ANOVA), the alpha level you set, the F and degrees of freedom, the exact probability, and whether the F was significant. Then follow with the Tukey test (you need to state that you used the Tukey test and the alpha level you used) to determine the differences among your means. Finally, you need to report all three of the comparisons, whether they were significant (if significant you need to state the direction) or not. It would probably best to state your means just before you present your Tukey tests.

Note: At the end of the research report, place the data that I actually collected for the study.

My data: Listen: 5, rhyme: 7, adjective: 16.

Price: $19.92

Solution: The downloadable solution consists of 7 pages, 1292 words and 5 charts.
Deliverable: Word Document