Discuss the below:
Researchers were interested in learning the effects of trans fats on levels of cholesterol in the blood. Two different research designs were constructed.
Part I: Between-Groups Design
In the between-groups design, researchers were interested in whether cholesterol levels would differ depending on diet. Twenty participants were randomly assigned to one of two different groups. Group A was assigned a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and with no trans fats. Group B participants were asked to follow their normal diets, which contained varying levels of trans fats depending on the individual. After one month, blood samples were drawn and the following levels of cholesterol were obtained:
|
Participant
|
Blood Cholesterol
|
Diet
|
|
01
|
129
|
Healthy
|
|
02
|
98
|
Healthy
|
|
03
|
150
|
Healthy
|
|
04
|
75
|
Healthy
|
|
05
|
135
|
Healthy
|
|
06
|
175
|
Healthy
|
|
07
|
115
|
Healthy
|
|
08
|
103
|
Healthy
|
|
09
|
156
|
Healthy
|
|
10
|
143
|
Healthy
|
|
11
|
239
|
Normal
|
|
12
|
500
|
Normal
|
|
13
|
350
|
Normal
|
|
14
|
468
|
Normal
|
|
15
|
198
|
Normal
|
|
16
|
213
|
Normal
|
|
17
|
225
|
Normal
|
|
18
|
175
|
Normal
|
|
19
|
560
|
Normal
|
|
20
|
289
|
Normal
|
Create a 2 to 3 sentences in a Microsoft Word document, answer the following questions:
- What is the independent variable in this study?
- What are the levels of that independent variable?
- What is the dependent variable?
Part II: Within-Subjects Design
In the within-subjects design, researchers were interested in whether participants could actually lower their cholesterol levels by changing from a diet higher in trans fats to one with no trans fats. Ten research participants were selected. A baseline measure of cholesterol was taken from each. They were then put on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and devoid of trans fats for one month. At the end of that month, blood cholesterol was again measured and the following results were obtained:
|
Participant
|
Blood Cholesterol
|
Diet
|
|
1
|
129
|
Baseline
|
|
1
|
98
|
Healthy
|
|
2
|
150
|
Baseline
|
|
2
|
75
|
Healthy
|
|
3
|
175
|
Baseline
|
|
3
|
135
|
Healthy
|
|
4
|
115
|
Baseline
|
|
4
|
103
|
Healthy
|
|
5
|
156
|
Baseline
|
|
5
|
143
|
Healthy
|
|
6
|
500
|
Baseline
|
|
6
|
450
|
Healthy
|
|
7
|
468
|
Baseline
|
|
7
|
350
|
Healthy
|
|
8
|
198
|
Baseline
|
|
8
|
213
|
Healthy
|
|
9
|
225
|
Baseline
|
|
9
|
175
|
Healthy
|
|
10
|
560
|
Baseline
|
|
10
|
481
|
Healthy
|
Create a 2 to 3 sentences in a Microsoft Word document, answer the following questions:
- What is the independent variable in this study?
- What are the levels of that independent variable?
- What is the dependent variable?