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1. The iPhone Effect
Researchers wanted to investigate whether the presence of mobile phones influences the
quality of in-person social interactions. In a field experiment, 100 pairs of participants were
observed during the course of a 10-minute conversation.
The researchers recorded whether participants placed a mobile phone on the table or held it
in their hand. The researchers measured the level of connectedness and empathetic concern
at the end of the conversation for those with a mobile phone present and those where it was
absent.
(Source: adapted from Mirsa et al. (1999))
a) State a null hypothesis and a two-tailed (non-directional) alternative hypothesis for
the iPhone effect study.
b) Explain why the experimental/research design used in the iPhone effect study was
appropriate.
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Question 1 is continued overleaf/nStatistical research
c) Explain one strength of using a field experiment for this study.
The total word limit for question 1 is 250 words. This does not include calculations.
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