The Connection Between The Article and Methods in Behavioral Research Book

Strube and Goldstein (1995) describe a computer program that shows the differences between main impacts and interactions when using factorial designs. The authors identify how the program uses an analysis of variance to show students the significance of effect size, sample size, and Type I and II errors (Strube & Goldstein, 1995). The article directly relates to the Complex Experimental Designs chapter in Cozby and Bates (2017) since it also discusses the factorial design and its characteristics as a complex experimental design. The article shows the applications of the simplest 2 x 2 factorial design and interprets the main effect of the independent variables as well as the various interactions between the variables (Strube & Goldstein, 1995). This is similar to the chapter in Cozby and Bates (2017), which exclusively discusses these elements of factorial designs.

Key concepts from the chapter that relates to the study include factorial designs, complex experimental designs, main effects of variables, and the interactions between variables. The study uses these concepts in the program to develop a better method for students to comprehend the differences between the main effects of independent variables and interactions between the variables, key concepts covered in factorial designs.

The theory of analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test the statistical significance of the interactions and main effects within a factorial design is discussed in the chapter, which relates to a similar methodology in the program discussed in the article. The lessons learned can be applied in work with children and families, particularly when conducting analysis in situations where more than one level of the independent variable exists, or multiple variables are possibly in play. The article thoroughly described the program but did not show any of its actual applications, which leaves one with unanswered questions about the reliability of the article.

References

Cozby, P., & Bates, S. (2017). Methods in Behavioral Research, Thirteenth Edition.

Strube, M. J., & Goldstein, M. D. (1995). A computer program that demonstrates the difference between main effects and interactions. Teaching of Psychology, 22(3), 207-208.