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Complete ALL questions below and upload your answers under the assignment for this unit.

You can either print out the document and answer on the sheet, or answer on separate

paper. Once you've finished, either scan or clearly photograph your answers to upload them.

1. The iPhone Effect

Researchers wanted to investigate whether the presence of mobile phones influences the

quality of in-person social interactions. In a field experiment, 100 pairs of participants were

observed during the course of a 10-minute conversation.

The researchers recorded whether participants placed a mobile phone on the table or held it

in their hand. The researchers measured the level of connectedness and empathetic concern

at the end of the conversation for those with a mobile phone present and those where it was

absent.

(Source: adapted from Mirsa et al. (1999))

a) State a null hypothesis and a two-tailed (non-directional) alternative hypothesis for

the iPhone effect study.

b) Explain why the experimental/research design used in the iPhone effect study was

appropriate.

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Question 1 is continued overleaf/nStatistical research

c) Explain one strength of using a field experiment for this study.

The total word limit for question 1 is 250 words. This does not include calculations.

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