spss

Independent-Samples t-test

Vignette: A researcher compares test anxiety between students who took an online prep course and students who took an in-person prep course. Each student is in only one group. How to Identify: Two groups; different participants; one continuous outcome; not the same people.

Dependent-Samples t-test

Vignette: Participants take a mood survey before drinking an energy drink and then again afterward. How to Identify: Same people measured twice; pre/post design; two conditions only.

Between-Subjects One-Way ANOVA

Vignette: Students are randomly assigned to study in silence, with music, or with background noise. Each student experiences only one environment. How to Identify: 3+ groups; different people in each group; only one independent variable.

Within-Subjects One-Way ANOVA

Vignette: Each participant completes an easy, medium, and hard memory task. Everyone completes all three conditions. How to Identify: Same participants in 3+ conditions; repeated measures; one independent variable.

Factorial ANOVA

Vignette: A researcher tests how exercise type (yoga vs running) and time of day (morning vs evening) affect stress levels. Participants are in one combination of these factors. How to Identify: Two or more independent variables; multiple levels; look for interactions.

Pearson's Correlation

Vignette: A researcher examines whether hours of sleep are related to self-esteem scores. How to Identify: Two continuous variables; no groups; no prediction wording; “relationship/association.”

Simple Linear Regression

Vignette: A professor wants to know whether hours studied can predict exam score. How to Identify: One predictor and one outcome; continuous variables; keywords like “predict.”