A music teacher had noticed that some students went to pieces during exams. He wanted to test whether this performance anxiety was different for people playing different instruments. He took groups of guitarists, drummers and pianists (variable = 'Instru') and measured their anxiety (variable = 'Anxiety') during the exam. He also noted the type of exam they were performing (in the UK, musical instrument exams are known as 'grades' and range from 1 to 8). He wanted to see whether the type of instrument played affected performance anxiety when controlling for the grade of the exam. What analysis should he use?
A) Analysis of covariance
B) Independent analysis of variance
C) Repeated-measures analysis of variance
D) Mixed analysis of variance

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The music teacher should use analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to control for the grade of the exam and determine whether the type of instrument played affects performance anxiety. ANCOVA allows for the comparison of means across groups while controlling for the effects of a covariate, in this case, the grade of the exam. This analysis would enable the music teacher to determine whether differences in anxiety scores between groups are due to the type of instrument played or differences in the grade of the exam.

A Music Teacher Had Noticed That Some Students Went to Pieces