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A psychology researcher wants to design a study comparing a new memory training technique with a control condition. Explain how the researcher can apply their understanding of the two determinants of the pp value to maximize the likelihood of obtaining a lower, statistically significant pp value. Specifically describe how they should address both determinants in their study design.

Question: A psychology researcher wants to design a study comparing a new memory training technique with a control condition. Explain how the researcher can apply their understanding of the two determinants of the pp value to maximize the likelihood of obtaining a lower, statistically significant pp value. Specifically describe how they should address both determinants in their study design.

Sample answer: To maximize the likelihood of obtaining a low pp value, the researcher must design their study to target both determinants of the pp value: the strength of the sample relationship and the size of the sample. First, to increase the strength of the sample relationship, the researcher should ensure a high-quality implementation of the memory training (e.g., standardizing the intervention to maximize its effect) so that the difference between the experimental and control groups is as clear and strong as possible. Second, to address sample size, the researcher should recruit a large sample of participants. A stronger relationship and a larger sample size both decrease the probability of obtaining the observed result if the null hypothesis were true, resulting in a lower pp value.

Key points:

  • Identify sample size as one of the determinants of the pp value.
  • Identify the strength of the sample relationship as the other determinant of the pp value.
  • Apply the concept of sample size by explaining that the researcher should recruit a larger sample of participants.
  • Apply the concept of relationship strength by explaining that the researcher should design the study to maximize the observed difference or relationship (e.g., strong, standardized training).
  • Explain that a larger sample size and stronger relationship decrease the probability of obtaining the observed result if the null hypothesis were true, resulting in a lower pp value.

Rubric: Answers must identify the two determinants of the pp value (strength of the sample relationship and sample size) and explain how the researcher can design the study to increase both (e.g., maximizing the effect/intervention quality to boost relationship strength and recruiting more participants to increase sample size), explaining that both lead to a lower pp value by decreasing the probability of obtaining the observed result if the null hypothesis were true.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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