Correlation Between the Reasons for Taking the Job and the RA's Performance

This is a group research paper, and my part is Discussion. The topic, research data file and the requirements of my part are in the attached files.

Topic

We are trying to find if the reason why RAs wanted their jobs (personal interest or the benefits) affects how seriously they take their job.

We found that there is a strong correlation between the independent variable and dependent variable.

When the RAs take their job for personal interest, they are likely to take their job more seriously, however, if they take the job for benefits, they take the job less seriously.

Format and requirements

Double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, 1-inch margins

Follow APA style

¢  Format of paper

¢  Format of references

¢  Purdue OWL website is a great resource

Discussion Part

—  Briefly summarize results in plain English

—  Make conclusions, draw inferences, draw out implications

—  Discuss alternative explanations for your findings (other than the explanation you favored in your introduction)

—  Discuss weaknesses of your study

—  If it makes sense, suggest solutions for your organization

About the Data Files

Example: Correlation

—  The average extraversion score was 3.5 (SD = 1.5). The average job satisfaction score was 27.5 (SD = 5.8)”

¢  Your methods section should make clear what the possible range of scores for each measure is

—  “More extraverted people had more job satisfaction (r = .32, p = .02). This correlation was medium in size and was significantly different from zero.”

Example: 2 Groups

—  The average extraversion score for women was 3.5 (SD = 1.5). The average extraversion score for men was 3.3 (SD = 1.8)”

¢  Again, possible range should be clear

—  “Women were not more extraverted than men (r = .02, p = .40). The correlation was small in size and not significantly different from zero.”

What is a “p-value”?

—  There is always “noise” in data

—  Imagine pre-election poll says

¢  Candidate A has 51% of vote

¢  Candidate B has 49% of vote

—  But Candidate B wins with 52%

¢  3%-points off from polls

—  Random noise messed with the data!

—  In your data, r = .15

¢  Is that “really” different from r = 0?

¢  Or is random noise just messing with you?

—  Well, can’t ever “really” know

¢  But can make an educated guess

—  “p-value” says if your r is different from 0

—  Take a stats class to learn what it is

—  We’ll use rules of thumb

—  Calculated for you in the online spreadsheet

—  If p < .05

¢  Assume YES, r is difference from zero

¢  In your interpretations, assume real relationship

¢  This is called “statistically significant”

—  If .05 < p <.10

¢  “Marginal” findings

¢  Act as if relationship MIGHT be there

¢  This is called “marginally significant”

—  If p > .10

¢  Assume NO, r is not different from zero

¢  This is called “not significant”