Higher concentrations of cholesterol indicate a higher level

Higher concentrations of cholesterol indicate a higher level of risk for cardiovascular disease, and lower concentrations indicate a lower level of risk. Being overweight and/or physically inactive increases the concentration of cholesterol in your blood. A researcher decided to investigate whether an exercise or weight loss intervention is more effective in lowering cholesterol levels. The researcher recruited a random sample of sedentary males that were classified as overweight. This sample was then randomly split into two groups: Group 1 underwent a calorie-controlled diet and Group 2 undertook the exercise-training program. In order to determine which treatment program was more effective, the mean cholesterol concentrations were compared between the two groups at the end of the treatment programs. Run the appropriate two-tailed test at a 5% level of significance ( = 0.05). (7 points)

Table. Post-treatment cholesterol concentration (µg/dL) in inactive males by treatment group (n =20)

Treatment

Diet Group

(n = 10)

Exercise Group

(n = 10)

4.9

5.8

Identify the dependent and independent variables, as well as how they are measured. Be sure to include categories if the variables are nominal or ordinal. (2)

DV (and level of measurement – also report categories if nominal or ordinal):

IV (and level of measurement – also report categories if nominal or ordinal):

What statistical test and what program evaluation design is the researcher using? (2)

Enter the data into SPSS. Include below the data spreadsheet (Data View tab) as a screen shot so I can make sure you accurately entered the data. Make sure you name the variables and include and ID variable. (1)

Compute the appropriate test statistic (independent or paired t-test) using SPSS and professionally report your finding in one sentence. If there is a significant difference, be sure to note in your sentence write-up what the difference is in terms of the DV and IV. In all, make sure you are actually answering the research question stated above. (NOTE: Be sure to include at the end of the sentence your group means and standard deviations, t test statistic, df, and the actual p-value). (2)

  4.9  

  7.7  

  5.0  

  7.7  

  5.6  

  6.6  

  4.2  

  5.6  

  4.8  

  7.6  

  5.8  

  6.7  

  5.8  

  5.8  

  7.1  

  7.5  

  6.0  

  7.3  

Solution