We want to study the mean difference in autonomy between first-born and second-born children. Instead of taking a random sample of children we take a random sample of families and sort the children into first- and second-born. The dependent variable is a measure of autonomy. This experiment would most likely employ
A) a repeated measures analysis.
B) an independent measures analysis.
C) a correlation coefficient.
D) a scatterplot.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A repeated measures analysis would be appropriate because the same families are being used to compare the autonomy between the first-born and second-born children within each family. This allows for control of potential confounding variables such as parenting style, household environment, and genetics. An independent measures analysis would be inappropriate because the data is not independent; the same families are being used to compare both groups. A correlation coefficient or scatterplot may be useful for exploratory data analysis, but they do not directly address the research question of mean differences in autonomy between the two groups.

We Want to Study the Mean Difference in Autonomy Between