Statistics in Psychology - Research Proposal Example

Inferential Statistics in I/O Psychology Research i) Re the variables under investigation as outlined in your final project There are two different types of variables in the study. The dependent variables are the ones which a researcher cannot control directly. This is because their performance is dependent on the independent variables. The independent variable on the other hand can be controlled by the researcher. Independent Variables: Level of music Dependent Variables: Productivity For the experiment the productivity has been measured in two formats: by scoring the retention amount and by quantifying the speed and error-free data entry and recording. Both these variables will be continuous. For independent variable the comparison is to be made between effect of rhythmic classical music and no music. ii) Using statistical analysis software (such as Excel), calculate the central tendency and variation values. C.T Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Mode 6 5 2 Mean 6 4 3.375 Median 6 4 3 Variance 4.857143 2.857143 4.839286 iii) Using statistical analysis software, create a bar graph, pie chart, stem leaf display, and scatter plot for the data and explain their meaning and importance to the problem situation. Bar Chart A bar chart in this situation would provide the researcher with a visual display of the data. In this format the data is much easier to study and interpret. As can be seen from the bar char shown above, the values of different groups for productivity can be easily observed. As can be seen the performance of group one (represented by blue color) is very high for group one, four and eight. Other groups however have shown random performances. Pie Chart The pie chart shows the observer the different percentages of productivity as part of a whole pie. This pie chart sums up the different productivity figures for individual groups. As can be seen this representation shows clearly that the overall productivity was the highest with group one that was exposed to a constant sound. Stem Leaf Display Stem Leaf 1 7 5 2 2 4 5 4 3 6 3 7 4 8 4 1 5 6 4 2 6 6 7 1 7 2 2 5 8 9 2 5 The stem leaf display can be used to view the performance of each team under different circumstances. The number in the stem column represents the number of different teams starting with one. The figures on the leaf column show the productivity performance of each group. Scatter Plot The scatter plot diagram is usually to observe trend in performance of groups. The line shows that team performance was constant. The line slanting down wards shows that performance of teams reduced. That means that performance of the team numbered one was much higher as compared to teams which followed. iv) Recommend the most appropriate inferential statistical process to interpret the data with a preselected level of significance (ó). The most appropriate test for significance would be the inferential statistical tool known as ANOVA. To use the ANOVA the F test will be conducted on the data presented. The first step however would be to chose the alpha level or the level of significance (0.01, 0.05, and 0.001). Conclusion The data has been analyzed using different statistical tools. The reason for the use of so many different tools is to get a varied perspective on the nature of this data. The data shows that this is a definite relationship between music and productivity. The performance of group one was the most productive in the data collected. This shows that constant sound had the most positive impact on productivity. There were variations in team productivity as was shown by scatter plot and stem-leaf display. However this will not affect the overall results of the experiment as each team was tested under all three conditions to increase validity of this research process. The least productivity however was shown in a no sound environment. Thus it can be concluded that there is a definite positive impact of sound on the productivity of a teams. References Furnham, A. & Strbac, L. (2002). Music is as distracting as noise: The differential distraction of background music and noise on the cognitive test performance of introverts and extraverts. Ergonomics, 45, 203-217. Gilmore, T. (1999). The efficacy of the Tomatis Method for children with learning and communication disorders: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Listening, 13, 12-23. Hallam S, Price J. & Katsaru, G. (2002). The effects of background music on primary school pupils’ task performance. Educational Studies, 28, 111-122. Lesiuk, T. (2005). The effect of music listening on work performance. Psychology of Music, 33, 173-191. Read More