CC2413 Fundamental Psychology for Health Studies

Supplementary Exercise # 2 Research Methods

Attempt the following questions for each case provided:

1) What is the independent variable (IV) ? How do you
operationally define it?
2) What is the dependent variable (DV)? How do you
operationally define it?
3) What is the hypothesis in the case?
4) How would you set up the experimental and control group for
the experiment?
5) Is there any possible confounding variable in the experiment? If
so, how would you like to counteract it?

Case One:
A psychology teacher believes that the provision of photos and
cartoons in notes will enhance students’ memory (retention). Design
an experiment to support her belief.

Case Two:
A new drug has been developed and reported to prevent seasickness
(暈船浪). Design an experiment to test the drug’s effectiveness.

Case Three:
A personal trainer at a fitness center suggests to his clients that
exercise in the morning will have a better effect on weight loss than
exercise at night. Design an experiment to test whether this is a valid
advice.

Case Four:
A student insists that alcohol consumption will not interfere with
snowboarding (滑雪板) skills. Design an experiment to test the belief.

Case Five:
Many parents assert that children who have eaten sweets (糖果) will
become more active afterwards than those who have not. Design a
study to test whether this assertion is true or not.