Discussion:
1. Two years ago state employees in North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia were required to attend stress reduction classes as part of a health and wellness program. In order to assess the effectiveness of the programs on stress reduction, Dr. Wakeel compared average stress scores from two years before the implementation to data from two years after the implementation. She also compared the average stress scores for the states that implemented the program to Tennessee, Florida, and South Carolina, nearby southern states that did not implement the program.
1A. What is the research design for this study? In answering the item, consider the subjects and how they were selected and assigned to treatment conditions for the study. Also, consider the independent and dependent variables and timing of implementation of the treatment. [Your response should be succinct]
1B. What statistical test should be used to analyze the average stress levels for state employees before and after the program?
1C. What statistical test should be used to analyze the average stress levels for state employees from states with the program compared to employees from states without the program?
2. In a different study, Dr. Wakeel mails surveys to state 100 employees in order to find out about predictors of stress. She measures stress, income, and coping style for each person. She wants to know if and how these variables are related to each other. However, she is aware that variables such as age, race, and gender can affect stress.
2A. What is this type of research design and can she use it to establish causation?
2B. What is the research method for the study?:
2C. What statistical test should be used to find the best predictor of stress among the variables she assessed?
3. Lastly, Dr. Wakeel randomly assigns half of a sample of 300 state employees to receive problem focused coping skills training, and the other half does not receive training. She also changes the level of work demand placed on these employees. So, some have high demand, some have low demand, and some have a typical demand. She measures how much stress employees report a week after the training and work demand changes.
3A. What is this design? Be as specific as you can:
3B: Briefly describe the Independent Variable (s) and the levels. Describe the Dependent variable.
3C. What statistical test should be used to assess the relationship between/among the variables?
3D. Can main effects and interaction effects be assessed? If so, briefly describe the main and interaction effects for the study.