Tests Of Differance

1 INTRODUCTION

Research Project1focuses on tests of difference. This guide includes materials and a dataset from a research study, which you should analyse and write up in the form of a research report.Also included areSPSS outputs; thus, you are NOT required to download, install or run SPSS. The report should be formatted according to the Reporting Style Guidelines for Practical Reports and Projectsand should be no longer than 2000 words (excluding References and Appendices). Finally, the report should be uploaded to Turnitin no later than 12 noon on 14August 2020.

2 BACKGROUND

Personality traits such as emotional stability are topics of longstanding interestin psychology. For example, personality traits have both theoretical and applied implications. Personalitytraits are commonly measured in research using self reportinventories such as the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) (Gosling et al., 2003). The current study uses this inventoryto investigate age related differencesin emotional stability betweena group of younger vs. older adults.

3 SUMMARY

In the current study, participants aged 18 years (younger group) or60 years and older (older group) were asked to complete the TIPI.

1. Participants were recruited via social media and participated online.
2. Participants were presented an Information Page (see Appendix A).
3. Participantswere asked to submit a Consent Form (see Appendix B).
4. Participants were asked to complete the TIPI (see Appendix D).
5. Participants were presented a Debrief Page (see Appendix C).

The current study addresses the following research question: what is the effect of age on emotional stability? In other words, is there a significant difference between the younger vs. older groups’ responses on the emotional stability subscale of the TIPI?

4 DATASET

Each participant was assigned an ID. In addition to recording their Agein years, Genderand Qualifications, participants’ total scores on the Emotional Stabilitysubscale of the TIPIwasalso recorded.Higherscores reflect greater emotional stability.(Alternatively, the other subscalesof the TIPI were not recorded, which were not under focus.) Each of these variables is included in the data set (see Appendix E).

5 WRITING UP

The report should be formatted according to the Reporting Style Guidelines for Practical Reports and Projects. For example, your report should include each of the following: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Method (Participants, Design, Materials and Procedure), Results, Discussion, References and Appendices. You should also review prior research, develop motivations and hypotheses, report on the method and results and discuss implications. Finally, you should also summarise (descriptive statistics) and draw conclusions about (inferential statistics) the data set.

6 SPSS OUTPUTS

Descriptive statistics:

Inferential statistics:

7REFERENCES

Gosling, S. D., Rentfrow, P. J., & Swann, W. B., Jr. (2003). A Very Brief Measure of the Big Five Personality Domains. Journal of research in personality, 37, 504-528.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(03)00046-1

Scheibe, S., & Carstensen, L. L. (2010). Emotional aging: Recent findings and future trends. The journals of gerontology: Series B, 65(2), 135-144. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbp132

Appendix A: Information Page

INFORMATION PAGE

Title of Project: Investigating personality traits

Name of Investigator: Dr Anuenue Baker-Kukona

Invitation paragraph: You have been invited to take part in a research study. Please contact the researcher if anything is unclear or if you would like more information.

What is the study about: This study examinespersonality traits.The aim is to understand individual differences in participants’ responses.

What does the study involve?You will be asked to complete aquestionnaire about your personality. The study lasts approximately 15 minutes.

Why have I been chosen? You have been invited to participate because either you are 18 years of age oryou are 60 years of age or older.

Do I have to take part? It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part.

What if I agree to take part and then change my mind? You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason. However, once you have completed the study, you will not be able to withdraw your data.

What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part? The primary disadvantage is that you will have to give up some of your time.

What are the possible benefits of taking part? The primary advantage is that you will contribute to science.

What if something goes wrong? / Who can I complain to? Please contact the Investigator or the Administrator for the Ethics Committee.

Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential? All information which is collected about you during the course of the research will be kept on a password protected database and is strictly confidential. You will be given an ID code which will be used instead of your name. Any identifiable information you may give will be removed and anonymised.

Who has reviewed the study? This study has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee.

Contact for Further Information:  Dr Anuenue Baker-Kukona

De Montfort University

Leicester LE1 9BH UK

anuenue.baker-kukona@dmu.ac.uk

+44 (0)116 207 6184

Appendix B: Consent Form

CONSENT FORM

Title of Project: Investigating personality traits

Name of Investigator: Dr Anuenue Baker-Kukona

Please tick if you agree:

1. I confirm that I have read and understood the information sheet. I have had the opportunity to consider the information, ask questions and have had these answered satisfactorily. __

2. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time without giving any reason. __

3. I agree to take part in this study. __