ANOVA Study, Statistics Problem Example

For this experiment, I want to gauge an individual’s general mood (measured on a scale) when compared to three different television shows: 1) comedy; 2) news; 3) drama. I will measure an individual’s general mood through a series of questions asked before the tv show is watched and after the tv show is watched that include general feelings, level of empathy, and motivation level. Based on my personal knowledge, and not referencing appropriate journal articles, I would make the following hypotheses: the individuals watching the comedy show have the biggest pre-post increase in mood; those watch drama have the next largest change in mood ; finally, those watching the news will have the least change in mood (pre-post).

For this study, the independent variable is the assignment to different tv shows- “1” for news; “2” for drama; “3” comedy. The dependent variable is the general mood score that is assigned to the different tv shows.

My null hypothesis for the study is: There is no difference in the mean scores of mood for the three different groups of television viewers.

My alternative hypothesis for the study is: There is a (statistically significant) difference in the mean scores of mood for the three different groups of television viewers.

The study design for this inquiry is between-subject ANOVA rather that within subjects ANOVA. Although I could see the potential advantages of using a within subject design, I think there also might be bias introduced by the design- so I will have three different groups of individuals watch television shows and note the difference. I think the statistically significant results will lead to an acceptance of the alternate hypothesis. The post-hoc testing will validate my initial intuition: comedy watchers will have the largest change in mood; those watching drama will have the second largest change in mood; and those watching the news will have the least change in mood.