In a study assessing mood and memory, how must a researcher distribute participant levels across the positive and negative mood groups to prevent from becoming a confounding variable?
Question: In a study assessing mood and memory, how must a researcher distribute participant levels across the positive and negative mood groups to prevent from becoming a confounding variable?
Sample answer: To prevent from becoming a confounding variable, the researcher must ensure that the average is equivalent between the positive and negative mood groups. This eliminates any systematic difference in intelligence between the conditions, ensuring it does not act as an alternative explanation for memory task scores.
Key points:
- The average of both groups must be equivalent or comparable.
- Eliminating the systematic difference in prevents it from acting as a confound.
- Ensuring group equivalence ensures does not serve as an alternative explanation.
Rubric: The response should specify that the average levels must be balanced or equivalent across both mood groups to eliminate systematic differences.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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