Design & Data: How Do You Know If You Are Truly Helping? (Program Evaluation)

Key Topics and Links to Files

  • Data Analysis Guide
  • Applying Your Skills in the Real World: How Do You Know If You Are Truly Helping?
    • Analyses Included: Single Sample t-test; t-test for Independent Means; Creating a Mean; Descriptive Statistics (Central Tendency)  
    • Dataset
  • BONUS – STUDY 1: How Can We Reduce Underage Drinking? What’s more serious, drinking, cigarettes, or marijuana?
    • Analyses Included: One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Post Hoc test
    • Dataset
  • BONUS – STUDY 2: Who would be the best spokesperson for public service announcements concerning the dangers of underage drinking?  Does the effectiveness of the spokesperson depend on the grade level of the student?
    • Analyses Included: Two-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

The Data Analysis Guide contains all of the following:

  • Design Summary (for the chapter study and the bonus data)
    • Research Question
    • Design
    • Main Analysis
    • Other Analyses
    • Hypothesis
    • Variables (IV, DV, etc.)
    • Analysis Plan (i.e., To emphasize preregistration and open science principles, we outline the analyses students need to conduct)
  • SPSS Step-by-Step Guide to the Analyses (for chapter study only)
    • Data View
    • Variable View
    • Setting Up Your Data
    • Step-by-Step Instructions with Screenshots for all Analyses
    • Example Syntax with notations of key features
    • Example Output with notations of where to find key numbers.
    • APA Style: Example Results Section
    • APA Style: Example Table
    • APA Style: Example Figure

*Although this works as a standalone activity, it pairs best with Chapter 13 of Discovering the Scientist Within where you will find more information about the research question (including background research), the thought/decision process behind the study design, as well as key methods and statistical concepts.