Discussion Section of Final Paper

Final Project Research Design Worksheet
1. Answer the following questions about IV 1: Task
Conceptual definition (what is it in theory, broadly speaking?):
The type of thinking task a participant completes
Levels (conceptually):
1: Divergent thinking 2: Convergent thinking
Operational definition (specifically):
The operational levels for the independent variable (IV1) include generating unusual use of
common objects and task performance after two inductions in the divergent-thinking tasks.
Levels (specifically)
1: Completes a divergent thinking task 2: Completes a convergent thinking task
Is IV 1 manipulated between- or within-subjects?
Within-subjects
2. Answer the following questions about IV 2: Task difficulty
Conceptual definition (what is it in theory, broadly speaking?):
The difficulty of the task the participant completes.
Levels (conceptually):
1: Easy 2: Hard
Operational definition (specifically):
In IV2, the operational levels are episodic-specificity induction and imagination tasks.
Levels (specifically)
1: Completes an easy task 2: Completes a difficult task
Is IV 1 manipulated between- or within-subjects?
Within-subjects
3. Answer the following questions about your DV: Creativity
Conceptual definition (what is it in theory, broadly speaking?):
How creative the participant feels after completing a task.
Operational definition (how is measured specifically in this study?):
The DVs include creativity, memory, and imagination, which depend on participants’
performance on the divergent and convergent thinking tasks.
How creative did you feel when completing the task?
Indicate the scale of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio).
Creativity is measured on an ordinal 1-5 scale where 1 = extremely not creative, 2 = not
creative, 3 = neutral, 4 = creative, and 5 = extremely creative.
On the next page, fill in the 2 x 2 box with expected means and label each IV and the levels
for each IV. Fill in the box with the predicted pattern of data that you expect based on what
you predict (using only numbers you are likely to get given your DV). Make sure these
numbers correspond to any predicted main effects (i.e., calculate the marginal means), and
make sure they reflect your predicted interaction effect.
IV 1: Task
Level 1: Level 2:
Divergent thinking Convergent thinking
5
3.5
3
2.5
In the space below, draw a graph showing your predicted numbers. Make sure the lines are not
parallel and make sure they correspond to your written predictions.
Hypotheses
1. Are you predicting a main effect of task? Yes No
I predict a main effect of a task such that, regardless of task difficulty, participants
who complete a divergent thinking task will score higher on creativity compared to
when they complete a convergent thinking task.
2. Are you predicting a main effect of task difficulty? Yes No
I predict a main effect of task difficulty such that, regardless of task, participants who
complete an easy task will score lower on creativity compared to when they complete
a hard task.
3. Now indicate your predicted interaction. EVERYONE MUST PREDICT AN
INTERACTION!
I predict an interaction effect between task and task difficulty, such that participants
who complete an easy divergent thinking task will score lower on creativity compared
to when they complete a hard divergent thinking task; however, participants who
complete an easy convergent thinking task will score lower on creativity compared to
when they complete a hard convergent thinking task.
IV 2: Task difficulty
Level 1: Easy Level 2: Hard
___4.25__
___2.25__
___3___
___4___