91Ó°ÊÓ

Use the following information to answer. The paper "Turning to Learn: Screen Orientation and Reasoning from Small Devices" (Computers in Human Behavior [2011]\(: 793-797)\) describes a study that investigated whether cell phones with small screens are useful for gathering information. The researchers wondered if the ability to reason using information read on a small screen was affected by the screen orientation. The researchers assigned 33 undergraduate students who were enrolled in a psychology course at a large public university to one of two groups at random. One group read material that was displayed on a small screen in portrait orientation, and the other group read material on the same size screen but turned to display the information in landscape orientation (see the following figure). The researchers found that performance on a reasoning test based on the displayed material was better for the group that read material in the landscape orientation. Is the conclusion that reasoning using information displayed on a small screen is improved by turning the screen to landscape orientation appropriate, given the study design described above? Explain.

Step by step solution

01

Study Design

The study consists of 33 undergraduate students assigned randomly to two groups. One group reads material displayed on a small screen in portrait orientation, and the other group reads the same material displayed on a small screen in landscape orientation.

02

Randomization

The researchers randomly assigned the students to the two groups, which helps ensure that the students' characteristics are equally distributed across the groups and prevents selection bias.

03

Controlled Variables

The study controls the variables by having both groups read the same material and testing their reasoning skills based on the displayed material. The only difference between the groups is the screen orientation.

04

Assess Potential Confounding Factors

To assess if the conclusion is appropriate, we need to consider potential confounding factors that might have influenced the results. Some potential confounding factors are the students' prior knowledge of the material, their familiarity with using small screens, and the complexity of the material. However, since the students were randomly assigned to the groups, these factors should be evenly distributed between the portrait and landscape groups.

05

Determine if Conclusion is Appropriate

Given that the study design has randomized the groups and controlled other variables, we can tentatively conclude that the reasoning performance is improved by turning the screen to landscape orientation. Since this is an observational study, it is important to note that the results show an association but not necessarily a cause-and-effect relationship. Further experiments may be needed to confirm the causal relationship between screen orientation and improved reasoning skills.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

• Full Textbook Solutions

  Get detailed explanations and key concepts

• Unlimited Al creation

  Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

• Ads-free access

  To over 500 millions flashcards

• Money-back guarantee

  We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Randomization

Randomization is a crucial step in experimental design, especially when trying to determine the impact of a specific variable. In the cell phone screen orientation study, each of the 33 students was assigned to one of the two groups entirely at random. This helps ensure that any other factors that might affect the students' ability to reason from small screens are evenly distributed between the groups. This means personal characteristics, such as age or screen time habits, should not skew the results. Additionally, randomization helps prevent selection bias, which occurs when participants are not selected randomly, leading to an imbalance that might favor one outcome over another. Without proper randomization, it might be difficult to know if the observed effect was due to the variable being studied (in this case, screen orientation) or some other unaccounted factor.

Confounding Factors

Confounding factors are variables that the researcher did not account for, which might influence the results of the study. In the context of the screen orientation study, confounding factors could include the students' prior knowledge of the material, their eyesight, or perhaps their comfort with the screen's device. If not addressed, these factors can threaten the study’s validity by providing alternative explanations for the observed effects. However, through randomization, the researchers aimed to evenly distribute these potential confounders between both groups. Even so, researchers must remain vigilant as some confounders might inadvertently impact the findings. Careful planning and analysis help in identifying and minimizing these external influences, thereby supporting the study's conclusions.

Control Variables

Control variables are elements that are kept constant or accounted for by the researcher during the experiment. They help isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. In the described study, the primary control variables included the content and material read by both groups. By ensuring both groups experienced the same test conditions and material, except for the orientation of the screen, researchers could pinpoint whether differences in reasoning performance were due to the orientation change alone. Effective control of variables increases the study's reliability by ensuring that differences in outcomes can be attributed to the experiment manipulation rather than an extraneous variable.

Observational Study

The study in question is described as an observational study, implying that while it can suggest associations between variables, it does not necessarily establish causation. Observational studies often involve watching subjects in their natural environment without intervening or introducing external controls extensively, except for the factor being studied. Although randomization and control variables can provide relational insights, to argue for a causal relationship, experimental studies with more rigorous control might be necessary. This kind of study can highlight possible trends or effects, such as the improved reasoning with landscape orientation, but it leaves room for further inquiry to conclusively determine whether screen orientation alone directly enhances reasoning skills.