Question

A researcher was interested in the effect of gender and viewing a model demonstration on motor performance. Thirty male and 30 female college students served as subjects. Half of the subjects saw a model hit a golf ball that was the same gender as the subject. The other half saw a model who was the opposite gender as the subject. All subjects were tested three times in their ability to drive a golf ball: before they viewed their model, directly after they viewed their model, and two weeks later. The ability to drive a ball was measured in 2 ways: a) by rating their technique according to a preset criteria and b) by measuring the distance they hit the ball.

What is/are the dependent variable/s?

Give an example of a possible main effect in this study. (name & explain it)

Give an example of a possible interaction in this study. (name & explain it)

Answer 1

Dependent variable: "Motor performance (the ability to drive a ball)".

A possible main effect: "Viewing a model demonstration". This may have an effect on the dependent variable - motor performance. The subjects may significantly change in their ability to drive the ball before and after viewing model demonstration.

A possible interaction: "Interaction between gender and viewing model demonstration". Different genders may perform differently before and after viewing the model demonstration.