Activity 3.3: Problem of the Week: Article Analysis

Introduction

This week’s POW requires you to do some research. Many journal articles contain some sort of statistical analysis, so if you search by your major or a topic of interest, you should be able to locate something compelling. While reading the article, you will see how statistics are used in your particular field either to support or reject a claim or hypothesis. Studies provide valuable information to keep moving a profession in a positive direction.

Activity Instructions

Find a journal article containing some type of statistical analysis from

Tiffin University Library

directly related to your educational career path or interest. Read the article, then answer the following questions:

MAT273 Synthesis of Concepts In Article
Name: Example
Citation:
Knapik, J. J., Bauman, C. L., Jones, B. H., Harris, J. M., & Vaughan, L. (1991). Preseason strength and
flexibility imbalances associated with athletic injuries in female collegiate athletes. The American journal
of sports medicine, 19(1), 76-81.
Choose one:
sample
Why did you choose that answer?
The group had only 180 people, there would be many more in the population of female
athletes
Choose one: Observation study
How do you know it was that type of study?
There was no control group who received a placebo; the researchers did not manipulate
the treatment, just observed and reported the injuries and conditions.
Choose one for sample type:
stratified
Why did you choose that sample type?
The article states that there were 138 female collegiate athletes for comparison. This
best fits with the definition of stratified since female is the first strata, athlete is a second
degree of strata, and collegiate athlete further separates the groups.
MAT273 Synthesis of Concepts In Article
Name: Example
Choose one for Level of measurement:
ratio
Why did you choose that level of measurement?
The data was quantitative in nature and could be listed as a fraction or multiple. Also,
zero would mean the absence of an injury. This is important in the definition of any ratio
level measurement.
List 2 statistics in the article and explain what they mean in this context (note page numbers)
1. x bar = 92. thirteen subjects had 92 degree flexibility in the right knee (p. 78)
2. σ = 12. The standard deviation in right knee flexibility was 12 degrees. (p. 78)
Do you find that the author’s use of statistics presents a compelling case for his point of view?
Yes. The author provides a strong context for the observational study with clear
descriptions of the measures taken in a clearly defined sample group. There does not
appear to be any question, research, or participant bias.
One sentence summary:
The study demonstrated that specific strength and flexibility imbalances were associated
in female collegiate athlete injuries.
MAT273 Synthesis of Concepts in Article
Name: Example
Citation:
Choose one: Population or sample
Why did you choose that answer?
Choose one: Observation study or experimental study?
How do you know it was that type of study?
Choose one for sample type:
Census
systematic
cluster
stratified
convenience random
Why did you choose that sample type?
Choose one for Level of measurement:
Nominal
ordinal
interval
ratio
Why did you choose that level of measurement?
List 2 statistics in the article and explain what they mean in this context (note page numbers)
1.
____________________________________________________________________________
___
2.
____________________________________________________________________________
___
Do you find that the author’s use of statistics presents a compelling case for his point of view?
One sentence summary: