NHM 526: Statistics I in NHM
Problem Solving Assignment #1 – Chapter 1
Please answer the following questions:
1. A researcher is investigating the effectiveness of a treatment for adolescent boys who are
taking medication for depression. A group of 30 boys is selected and half receive the new
treatment in addition to their medication and the other half continue to take their
medication without any treatment. For this study,
a. Identify the population.
All adolescent boys who are taking medication for depression.
b. Identify the sample.
The 30 adolescent boys selected for the study.
2. Statistical methods are classified into two major categories: descriptive and inferential.
Describe the general purpose for the statistical methods in each category.
Descriptive statistics:
Used to organize, summarize, and describe data (e.g., averages, graphs).
Inferential statistics:
Used to make predictions or generalizations about a population based on sample data.
3. Describe how the goal of an experimental research study is different from the goal for
nonexperimental or correlational research. Identify the two elements that are necessary for
an experiment to achieve its goal.
Experimental research goal:
The goal is to determine cause-and-effect relationships.
Nonexperimental (correlational) research goal:
The goal is to identify relationships between variables without establishing
causation.
Two necessary elements of an experiment:
1. Manipulation of an independent variable
2. Control of other variables (e.g., control group)
4. Two researchers are both interested in the relationship between caffeine consumption and
activity level for elementary school children. Each obtains a sample of n = 20 children.
a. The first researcher interviews each child to determine the level of caffeine
consumption. The researcher then records the level of activity for each child during
a 30-minute session on the playground. Is this an experimental or a
nonexperimental study? Explain your answer.
Type: Nonexperimental
Explanation: No manipulation; just observing existing caffeine
consumption and activity.
b. The second researcher separates the children into two roughly equivalent groups.
The children in one group are given a drink containing 300 mg of caffeine and the
other group gets a drink with no caffeine. The researcher then records the level of
activity for each child during a 30-minute session on the playground. Is this an
experimental or a nonexperimental study? Explain your answer.
Type: Experimental
Explanation: Researcher manipulates caffeine intake (gives caffeine vs no caffeine).
5. A researcher would like to evaluate the claim that large doses of vitamin C can help prevent
the common cold. One group of participants is given a large dose of the vitamin (500 mg per
day), and a second group is given a placebo (sugar pill). The researcher records the number
of colds each individual experiences during the 3-month winter season.
a. Identify the dependent variable for this study.
Number of colds experienced.
b. Is the dependent variable discrete or continuous?
Discrete (countable values).
c. What scale of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio) is used to
measure the dependent variable?
Ratio scale (has true zero and meaningful ratios).
6. Oxytocin is a naturally occurring brain chemical that is nicknamed the “love hormone”
because it seems to play a role in the formation of social relationships such as mating pairs
and parent-child bonding. A recent study demonstrated that oxytocin appears to increase
people’s tendency to trust others (Kosfeld, Heinrichs, Zak, Fischbacher, and Fehr, 2005).
Using an investment game, the study demonstrated that people who inhaled oxytocin were
more likely to give their money to a trustee compared to people who inhaled an inactive
placebo. For this experimental study, identify the independent variable and the dependent
variable.
Independent variable:
Type of substance inhaled (oxytocin vs placebo)
Dependent variable:
Level of trust (amount of money given to the trustee)
7. Four scales of measurement were introduced in this chapter: nominal, ordinal, interval, and
ratio.
a. What additional information is obtained from measurements on an ordinal scale
compared to measurements on a nominal scale?
Ordinal provides rank/order, while nominal only categorizes.
b. What additional information is obtained from measurements on an interval scale
compared to measurements on an ordinal scale?
Interval provides equal distances between values, allowing meaningful
differences.
c. What additional information is obtained from measurements on a ratio scale
compared to measurements on an interval scale?
Ratio includes a true zero point, allowing meaningful ratios (e.g., “twice as
much”).
8. In an experiment examining the effects of humor on memory, Schmidt (1994) showed
participants a list of sentences, half of which were humorous and half were nonhumorous.
The participants consistently recalled more of the humorous sentences than the
nonhumorous sentences.
a. Identify the independent variable for this study.
Type of sentences (humorous vs nonhumorous)
b. What scale of measurement is used for the independent variable?
Nominal
c. Identify the dependent variable for this study.
Number of sentences recalled
d. What scale of measurement is used for the dependent variable?
Ratio
9. Ford and Torok (2008) found that motivational signs were effective in increasing physical
activity on a college campus. Signs such as “Step up to a healthier lifestyle” and “An average
person burns 10 calories a minute walking up the stairs” were posted by the elevators and
stairs in a college building. Students and faculty increased their use of the stairs during
times that the signs were posted compared to times when there were no signs.
a. Identify the independent and dependent variables for this study.
Independent variable: Presence of motivational signs (present vs absent)
Dependent variable: Level of stair use (physical activity)
b. What scale of measurement is used for the independent variable?
Nominal