Steph wants to study football teams and number of touchdowns scored per season. Steph makes her predictor variable the team the San Francisco 49ers, and records the number of touchdowns the team made in one season. She concluded that there is a strong association between the San Francisco 49ers and touchdowns made per season. What critique do you give to Steph in order to improve her research design?

Group of answer choices

The predictor variable is a nominal variable, and the outcome variable is a continuous variable, which is not allowed when conducting a quasi-experimental study

Steph is actually using an observational study

A variable must have at least two values, so her predictor variable cannot be a single football team

Steph is actually using a true experimental design

ANSWER

Critique of Steph’s Research Design: Improving the Study

Steph’s research design has several limitations that should be addressed to improve the validity and reliability of the study. The critique focuses on the mismatch between the predictor variable and the outcome variable, the need for a more appropriate research design, and the importance of having multiple values for the predictor variable.

Mismatch of Variables

Steph’s research design suffers from a mismatch between the predictor variable and the outcome variable. The predictor variable, the San Francisco 49ers, is a nominal variable representing a single football team. On the other hand, the outcome variable, the number of touchdowns made per season, is a continuous variable. This mismatch raises concerns about the appropriateness of the statistical analysis used to determine the association between the variables.

Observational Study

Steph’s study is better classified as an observational study rather than an experimental one. In an observational study, the researcher observes and measures variables without intervening or manipulating them. In this case, Steph is simply observing and recording the number of touchdowns made by the San Francisco 49ers in a season. Since she is not implementing any interventions or control groups, the study lacks the necessary elements for a true experimental design.

Single Value Predictor Variable

A key requirement for a predictor variable is to have at least two values. In Steph’s study, the predictor variable, the San Francisco 49ers, represents only one football team. This restricts the generalizability and limits the ability to draw meaningful conclusions. To enhance the study’s validity, it is essential to include multiple football teams as predictor variables, allowing for comparisons and a broader analysis of the association between teams and touchdowns made per season.

To improve the research design, several recommendations can be made:

Select Multiple Predictor Variables: Instead of focusing solely on the San Francisco 49ers, Steph should consider including a range of football teams as predictor variables. This would allow for comparisons and a more comprehensive analysis of the association between different teams and the number of touchdowns made per season.

 Consider a Quasi-Experimental Design: If possible, Steph should explore a quasi-experimental design that incorporates interventions or control groups to better establish causality. This would involve manipulating certain variables or implementing interventions to study the effects on touchdown numbers. However, it’s important to note that in sports research, true experimental designs can be challenging due to ethical and practical constraints.

 Use Appropriate Statistical Analysis: To determine the association between the predictor variable(s) and the outcome variable, Steph should employ appropriate statistical techniques. Regression analysis or correlation analysis can be used to evaluate the strength and significance of the relationship, considering factors such as team performance, player statistics, or coaching strategies.

Conclusion

Steph’s research design has several limitations that should be addressed to improve the study’s validity and reliability. By considering the mismatch between variables, recognizing the observational nature of the study, including multiple predictor variables, and selecting appropriate statistical analyses, Steph can enhance the rigor and credibility of her research. These improvements will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the association between football teams and touchdowns made per season.