Analysis of Statistical Test Used in a Research Study (Essay Sample)

Analysis of Statistical Test Used in a Research Study
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Analysis OF Statistical Test Used in a Research Study
This is an analysis on statistical test used by Nelson, Young, Young, and (2010) in their descriptive research on "Using teacher-written praise notes to promote a positive environment in a middle school”.
In order to describe the relationship between teacher-written praise notes and decrease in office discipline referrals among students, authors used a series of correlations and z tests. Correlations test involved 100 cases drawn from the entire subjects after data entry in a database completion. A correlation coefficient measures the strength obtained on a straight line regarding linear relationship between two variables, which in this research are number of teacher-written praise notes in day and number of office discipline referral in a day both taken from 100 cases (Sprague, Walker, Stieber, Simonsen, Nishioka, & Wagner, 2001).
Authors use the choice of statistical test and analyses
The statistical test used by the authors is correct as applied in the research. I believe they had to put into picture targeted audience and usefulness of the results analysis when selecting this test. A probable reason could be the relevance within which it is easier for targeted audience to interpret and associate their input with the results obtained. This is perhaps the most suitable test that the authors had to put into use bearing in mind that they actually cautioned the reader on the issues of limitations that could were not held constant. The rationale for using this test is the ability to create visual presentations that is almost self-explanatory to both researchers and schools. Since this test appears to be a bit easier especially when using SPSS software, it was their intention to display how its replication in schools during implementation is simple.
Authors' research question in the descriptive research study
The research question for this study focused on establishing how teacher-written praise note can raise, a positive behavior initiative can become useful tool among administrators and teachers in improving school climate for students with a possibility of reducing reported cases of office disciplinary referrals (Nelson, Young, Young, & Cox, 2010).
Statistical test addressing and answering the research question
The correlation coefficient used by authors of this was effective in addressing the research question exhaustively. There is a clear indication of how they divided the tests to take care of into two years to make the presentations more useful. The aspect of splitting the frequency of period into months reduced the intervals within which a clear graph can be plotted accurately and retain the main aspect being tested.
Authors' interpretation of the results of this study
The results interpretation focused on explaining the correlation coefficient plotted line graph done in a Fischer...