PSYC-FPX4700 Stat for Behavioral Sciences
INTRODUCTION
Note: The assessments in this course build upon each other, so you are strongly encouraged to complete them in sequence.
Throughout the course, you have been exploring various concepts and building your skills in statistical analysis. In this assessment, you will discuss the steps taken to complete a data analysis report focused on analyzing correlations between a set of assigned variables.
OVERVIEW
Note: The assessments in this course build upon each other, so you are strongly encouraged to complete them in sequence.
Throughout the course, you have been exploring various concepts and building your skills in statistical analysis. In this final assessment, you will complete a data analysis report focused on analyzing correlations between a set of assigned variables.
Exploring the associations between some variables in the courseroom using correlations might provide some important information about learner success. You’ll need to pay attention to both magnitude, which is the strength of the association, and directionality, which is the direction (positive or negative) of the association. During this assessment, you’ll start learning about how to best approach correlational analyses like these and start getting some answers. You’ll explore the relationships that may or may not exist in your courseroom data.
PREPARATION
In this course, you will be using statistical software. Refer to the Statistical Software page on Campus for general information. Make sure that your statistical software is downloaded, installed, and running properly on your computer.
For this assessment, you will use the Grades [JASP] file. For information on the data set, refer to the Data Set Instructions [PDF] file.
Resources
Be sure to visit the Resources for this assessment to help you with the steps of your analysis, such as information on correlations, what statistical test to run, and writing your results in APA style.
INSTRUCTIONS
Throughout the course, you have been exploring various concepts and building your skills in statistical analysis. This week, you will complete a data analysis report to analyze the correlation between assigned variables.
Exploring the associations between some variables in the courseroom using correlations might provide some important information about learner success. You’ll need to pay attention to both magnitude, which is the strength of the association, and directionality, which is the direction (positive or negative) of the association. During this assignment, you’ll start learning about how to best approach correlational analyses like these and start getting some answers. You’ll explore the relationships that may or may not exist in your courseroom data.
In this assignment, you’ll get a chance to run and interpret an inferential statistics analysis: correlations.
You will complete this assessment using the Data Analysis and Application Template [DOC] (also known as the DAA Template).
The data represent a teacher’s recording of student demographics and performance on quizzes and a final exam across three sections of the course. Each section consists of 35 students (N = 105). There are 21 variables in grades.jasp. This assignment is on correlations.
You will analyze the following variables in the grades.jasp data set:
| Variable | Definition |
| Quiz 1 | Quiz 1: Number of correct answers |
| GPA | Previous grade point average |
| Total | Total number of points earned in class |
| Final | Final exam: Number of correct answers |
Variables and Definitions
The Data Analysis and Application Template has five sections:
The Data Analysis Plan.
Testing Assumptions.
Results and Interpretation.
Statistical Conclusions.
Application.
Step 1: The Data Analysis Plan
In Step 1:
Name the four variables used in this analysis and whether they are categorical or continuous.
State a research question, null hypothesis, and alternate hypothesis for one X-Y pair. For example, you could articulate a research question, null hypothesis, and alternate hypothesis for quiz1 (X) and final (Y).
Step 2: Testing Assumptions
Test for one of the assumptions of correlation—normality.
Create a descriptive statistics table to assess normality. This table should include the four variables named above.
Paste the table in the DAA Template.
Interpret the skewness and kurtosis values and how you determined whether the assumption of normality was met or violated.
Step 3: Results and Interpretation
In Step 3:
Paste the output of the intercorrelation matrix for all specified variables:
First, report the lowest magnitude correlation in the intercorrelation matrix, including degrees of freedom, correlation coefficient, p-value, and effect size. Interpret the effect size. Specify whether or not to reject the null hypothesis for this correlation.
Second, report the highest magnitude correlation in the intercorrelation matrix, including degrees of freedom, correlation coefficient, p-value, and effect size. Interpret the effect size. Specify whether or not to reject the null hypothesis for this correlation.
Third, report the correlation between GPA and final, including degrees of freedom, correlation coefficient, p-value, and effect size. Interpret the effect size. Analyze the correlation in terms of the null hypothesis.
Interpret statistical results against the null hypothesis, and state whether it is accepted or rejected.
Step 4: Statistical Conclusions
In Step 4:
Provide a brief summary of your analysis and the conclusions drawn.
Analyze the limitations of the statistical test.
Provide any possible alternate explanations for the findings and potential areas for future exploration.
Step 5: Application
In Step 5:
Analyze how you might use correlations 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 completed Data Analysis and Application Template as an attached Word document in the assessment area.
COMPETENCIES MEASURED
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
Competency 3: Evaluate confidence and significance of statistical data.
Name the variables and include the scale of measurement. State the research question and null and alternate hypothesis, with no more than one error.
Communicate the assumptions associated with the primary inferential statistic and how they were tested. Import assumption testing table from JASP.
Competency 4: Apply quantitative analysis to individual, organizational, and social issues.
Paste the JASP output for main inferential statistic(s) as discussed in the instructions and interpret the results of the main inferential test, with no more than one error.
Summarize briefly the analysis and the conclusions drawn. Analyze limitations of the test and provide alternate explanations for findings and potential areas for future exploration, with no more than one error.
Communicate how research could be applied to one’s own field of study and the value and implications of this analysis to this field, with no more than one error.
Competency 5: Communicate quantitative analysis effectively in a manner consistent with expectations for psychology professionals.
Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.