Heidi is studying the effects of vitamin supplements and gender on infant growth. She would like to find out if it is true that vitamin supplements influence the growth of male infants but not female infants. Which of the following tests is most suitable for Heidi's study?
A) One-way ANOVA
B) Two-way ANOVA
C) Independent samples t-test
D) Dependent samples t-test

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Two-way ANOVA is suitable for analyzing the interaction between two independent variables, in this case, vitamin supplements and gender, and their effect on a dependent variable, infant growth. This will allow Heidi to determine if the effects of vitamin supplements on growth vary significantly between male and female infants. One-way ANOVA is not suitable as it only analyzes the effect of one independent variable on a dependent variable, and does not consider the interaction between variables. Independent samples t-test is not suitable as it only compares the means of two independent groups, whereas Heidi is interested in the effect of two independent variables on an outcome variable. Dependent samples t-test is not suitable as it is used when the dependent variable is measured twice in each subject, and the two measurements are dependent on each other, whereas in this case, infant growth is measured only once in each subject.

Heidi Is Studying the Effects of Vitamin Supplements and Gender