Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

APPENDIXAStatistics:Understanding DataMarie D. ThomasCalifornia State University, San Marcos>Appendix Outline• Prologue: The Tables Are Turned:A Psychologist Becomesa Research Subject• Descriptive Statistics• Inferential Statistics• Endnote• Appendix ReviewThe Tables Are Turned:A Psychologist Becomesa Research SubjectPROLOGUEFOR 12 MONTHS I WAS a participant in participate in the study were sent to 15,000a research project that was designed to members of the medical group. Out of thatcompare the effects of “traditional” and initial pool, 124 volunteers were recruited,“alternative” diet, exercise, and stressreductionprograms (Riegel & others, each group—the traditional, alternative,and about 40 were randomly selected for1996). Volunteers who were randomly and no-treatment control groups. The participantsincluded men and womenassigned to the traditional program weretaught to eat a high-fiber, low-fat diet; do between the ages of 20 and 56. A total ofregular aerobic exercise; and practice a 88 subjects lasted the full year. Theprogressive muscle relaxation technique. researchers were pleased that so many ofParticipants who were randomly assigned us stayed with the project; it isn’t easy toto the alternative program received instructionin yoga and in a meditation technique, Data collection began even before par-get people to commit to a yearlong study!along with a diet based on body type and ticipants found out the group to which theytastes. I was randomly assigned to the notreatmentcontrol group, which was moni-mailed a thick packet of questionnaireshad been randomly assigned. We weretored throughout the year for weight and covering a wide range of topics. One questionnaireasked about our current healthgeneral health but received no diet, exercise,or stress-reduction intervention. status, use of prescription and over-thecountermedications, use of vitamins, andThe participants in the study were drawnfrom a large medical group. Invitations to visits to both physicians and alternativeA-1