Seven Critical Components

Question 1

seven critical components of statistical studies

Answer 1

1. the source of research and its funding
   - do the researchers have anything to gain/lose from the outcome(s)? if so, it’s important to ensure correct statistical procedures were followed
2. the researchers who had contact with the participants
   - how might the researchers influence the outcome(s)?
3. the individuals or objects studied and how they were selected
   - is the sample representative of the population of interest?
   - are there systematic problems with how individuals/objects were selected?
4. the exact nature of the measurements made or questions asked
   - how are the measurements defined?
   - what measurement errors might be present?
   - are the questions leading/misleading?
5. the setting in which measurements were taken
   - when, where and how were the measurements taken?
   - what impact would this have?
6. any differences in the groups being compared, in addition to the factor(s) of interest
   - what other variables may be at work?
7. the extent or size of any claimed effect or differences
   - how much of a difference exists between groups?
   - does the difference/effect have practical significance

Question 2

article: red bull gives you injuries

Answer 2

• Study suggests that energy drink cocktails lead to questionable behaviour

– students who consume energy drink cocktails are more likely to suffer injuries, ride with an impaired driver

– students who consumed energy drink cocktails were more likely to be taken advantage of sexually, or take advantage of someone, than those who just drank alcohol

• Alcohol is a depressant, caffeine is a stimulant – the power drinks hide the effect of the alcohol

Question 3

article: high heels have a strange effect on men

Answer 3

study suggests that high heels do a better job of helping women get what they want from men

• more men agreed to take a survey when women wore 4-inch heels vs 2-inch heels or flats (the proportion of women who agreed to take the survey remained constant)
• more men stopped to pick up a dropped glove for women with high heels
• women with high heels were seen as more attractive