Difference in the length of stay for patients with different categories of diagnosis
A psychologist at a private mental health facility was asked to determine whether there was a clear difference in the length of stay for patients with different categories of diagnosis. Looking at the last seven patients in each of the three major categories, the results (in terms of weeks of stay) were as follows. Using the data below, test whether the length of stay for patients vary based on category of diagnosis.
Diagnosis Category
Affective Disorders Cognitive Disorders Drug-related Conditions
7 12 8
6 8 10
5 9 12
6 11 10
9 11 9
5 10 11
6 9 12
- In this specific scenario, what is the independent variable? Is it between or within subjects? How many levels does it have, and what are they?
ANSWER - Paste all relevant statistical output in the space provided below:
ANSWER - Create an appropriate graph in SPSS and paste it in the space provided below:
ANSWER - Present the results using APA format. This includes a full write-up to include a complete statistical notation as shown in the weekly presentations. The write-up also needs interpretation. If significant, state how. If it is not significant, what does that mean in layman’s terms? Additional examples of APA results sections are also available in the “Helpful Hints” document.
ANSWER - What is a potential confounding variable in this scenario? Explain your rationale.
ANSWER
Scenario 2
The following data were obtained from a research study examining the effect of sleep deprivation on motor skills performance. A sample of five participants was tested on a motor-skills task after 24 hours of sleep deprivation, tested again after 36 hours, and tested once more after 48 hours. The dependent variable is the number of errors made on the motor-skills task, shown below. Use the data to test whether or not the number of hours of sleep deprivation has a significant effect on motor skills performance.
Participant 24 hours 36 hours 48 hours
A 0 1 5
B 0 0 0
C 1 3 5
D 0 1 5
E 4 5 9
- In this specific scenario, what is the independent variable? Is it between or within subjects? How many levels does it have, and what are they?
Sample Answer
Independent variable: The independent variable is the category of diagnosis. There are three levels of the independent variable: affective disorders, cognitive disorders, and drug-related conditions.
Between or within subjects: The independent variable is between-subjects. This means that each patient is only in one category of diagnosis.