Research Methods - The Sign Tests

Question 1

How do you determine if it is a sign test

Answer 1

Data has to be nominal
Needs to look for a difference
Needs to be a related design

Question 2

What are the first 3 steps of the sign test to calculate the S value

Answer 2

Step 1 : convert data to nominal data
Subtracts score from 1 column from the score in other column

Step 2: if score positive put plus sign , if negative put minus sign
If no difference put 0

Step 3: count up number of + signs and number of - signs
Ignore 0s
The less frequent (smallest) number becomes calculated value of S

Question 3

What is step 4 in using sign test

Calculating the value of N

Answer 3

Count up total number of participants
Minus the number of no change scores
This is N value

Question 4

What are steps 5, 6 and 7 needed to calculate a conclusion of the data

Answer 4

Step 5:
Work out if hypothesis was directional (one tailed)
Or non directional (two tailed)

Step 6:
Identify correct column on the critical value table
Eg the hypothesis you identified, the significance level you need (0.05) and row with the correct N
This is critical value

Step 7:
Work out if your critical value (one from table) is higher or lower than calculated value

Question 5

For the sign test to be significant what must the calculated value be

Answer 5

Equal to or less than the critical value

Question 6

How do we write up our conclusion from the calculations

Answer 6

As the calculated value of S …… is …………………… than the critical value of …… when N is ……., these results …………………………. significant at a 0.05 level for a ………………… tailed hypothesis.

Mention which hypothesis is rejected or accepted
Put in context of scenario
(No difference/ association between ….. and …..)