Experimental Research
1. McGlone and his colleagues used a 2×2 factorial design. Explain why this design was necessitated by the research hypotheses.
This design was necessitated by the research hypothesis since the experiment has two independent variables with each variable having the ability to be manipulated amid subjects or within the specified subjects. It is also applicable since the application of one multiple-choice enables the measurement of memory for the image of the virus. The use of a questionnaire in the design to conclude with the specified research hypothesis and standard demographic measures is also a vital effort enabling a link to the responses in the fact sheet after manipulation (Kothari p. 47).
2. Experimental control is a critical feature of any experiment. If we wish to know the effects of independent variables on dependent variables we must “hold constant” other variables that would make causal inference challenging. What efforts were taken in this experiment to achieve a high level of experimental control?
In the experiment, the efforts taken to achieve the higher level of experimental control is the application of the appropriate data collection methods and analysis following the determination of the cause effects and causes, the setting up of two groups inclusive of control and the experimental group and the application of an appropriate clinical communication method. The experimental group constitutes majorly of the group exposed to the examined factor. The experiment necessitates the holding of the other related external influences constant. Every other experimental control related factors in the experiment requires a constant aspect between the control group and the experimental group (Brink et al, p. 55).
The controlled experiment establishing causation is also a significant element in achieving the high level of the experimental control. This enables the determination of the causes and effects of the examined factor in the experiment with specifications to the applicable variables. It has the capability to zero in on the experiment single independent variable is significant since all the relative factors involved in the experiment are constant (Brink et al, p. 55).
3. What efforts were made to determine if the manipulations of the two independent variables were successful?
The efforts made in the determination if the manipulations of the two independent variables were successful include the incorporation of the questionnaire with an elaborate analysis items to probe the recognition of provided information. The attendance of the participants to the language manipulated with imagery upon reading the sheet was also a significant effort. The assigned participants to the versions of human agency or the virus agency language of the sheet produced a considerable level of accuracy on the specified five wording probes of recognition following the manipulations of the two independent variables (McGlone et al, p. 14).
The probing recognition of the single item of the presented image had an accurate answer of up to 98.4% of the participants as a significant effort collaborated with the manipulation checks and dependent measures incorporated. Ensuring that there is report analysis basing on a complete sample was also an effort made. This is to determine if the availed manipulations of the two independent variables were successful. The agency assignment manipulation did not have an effect on the content perception of the fact sheet. The set of descriptors interpreted as a collection of indicating perceptions was to prove of the sheets credibility (Heppner p. 307).
The presentation of sentences in pairs with the given five dichotomous questions conveying similar propositions with the use of virus and human agency assignment was also a considerable effort. The participants choosing of the known sentences led to realization serving as a vital index of sensitivity to the linguistic agency manipulation. The application of one multiple-choice enabled the measurement of memory for the image of the virus. The use of a questionnaire to conclude with the specified set of health status and standard demographic measures was also a vital effort enabling a link to the responses in the fact sheet after manipulation (McGlone et al, p. 14).
What other strategies might have been employed to check on the quality of the manipulations?
The other strategies that might have been employed to check on the manipulations quality include the use of survey or the relative evaluation sheet. This is applicable in noting the considerable checks on the manipulations quality. The manipulation check techniques when embedded into the experiment follow the aspect of validity and ease. The omission of the strategy may dampen the effect of the experiment agency manipulation with the perception of efficacy response. This may also involve several questions concerning the external validity of the experimental study manipulation that advantages further exploration. Evaluation enables the examination of the effects of the agency assignments on the manipulation perception of the H1N1 virus. This is in a convenience sample of the participant’s response (McGlone et al, p. 13).
The evaluation generalizability of the quality of manipulation observed effects in relation to the health threats issues tend to address the manipulation results. This incorporates the examination of the agency assignment on the reported intensions of the respondent’s actual rate of vaccination. The use of the survey also enables the checking of the language manipulation comprising of differing cue words with expressions that convey human agency. Thus, is helping in clarifying the assignment effects that are attributable to the manipulation cues having significant impacts on the outcomes (McGlone et al, p. 14).
4. Verbal assignment of the agency had a much more substantial effect than visual (image based) agency assignment. Carefully examine the two images used to manipulate agency visually (Figures 1 and 2) and speculate on why the agentic imagery did not work in this experiment.
The agentic imagery did not work in this experiment since the manipulation of the image with an accompaniment of the textual information did not show any effect on the perceptions of the vaccine or severity efficacy. However, at some point it managed to moderate the agency language influence unexpectedly concerning the susceptibility to infection. The imagery did not make the participants feel the apprehensive aspect of the virus as perceived to be more severe and susceptible. This only enables the observation of the susceptibility effect when the fact sheet is literal ((McGlone et al, p. 14).
The imagery did not also work following the manipulation of the specified agency imagery having no effect on the perceptions of self-efficacy, severity, reported intentions of seeking vaccination, or the response efficacy. The manipulation check findings had an indication of the vast majority of the participants with the capability of remembering the image as it appeared on the sheets (McGlone et al, p. 15). The null effects are hence not attributable to the failure of the participants in attending to the images with the agency imagery not augmenting the agency effects of assignment language as predicted. The imagery did not work also due to the failure to subject the images to the specified pilot testing to enable the determination of the evocative properties. This is whether the effects hypothesized effects remains obtainable with varying visual depictions of the agency.
5. Speculate on how the information gained from this study about linguistic agency could be used in advertising.
The information gained from the study concerning linguistic agency could be used in advertising following the informative nature of the educational materials and the PEMs used. This is with specifications to addressing the evidence-based recommendations. The findings have suggestions that designers are in a position to improve the materials persuasive effect through making decisions that are deliberate concerning the used language in encoding the viral transmissions with treatment facts. The assignment in language of the agency with common occurrence outside conscious awareness and internet briefs concerning the experiment manipulation includes statement blends. They assign transmission agency to the respective respondents providing a straightforward means for PEM enhancement impact (Hosmer & Lemeshow p. 57).
Works cited
Brink, Pamela J, and Marilynn J. Would. Advanced Design in Nursing Research. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage, 2008. Print.
Heppner, P P, Dennis M. Kivlighan, and Bruce E. Wampold. Research Design in Counseling. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2008. Print.
Hosmer, D. W., & Lemeshow, S. Applied logistic regression. (2000). New York, NY: Wiley.
Kothari, C R. Research Methodology: Methods & Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International (P) Ltd, 2005. Print.
McGlone, S. Mathews, Bell, A. Robert, Zaitchik T. Sarah and McGlynn III Joseph. Do not Let the Flu Catch You: Agency Assignment in Printed Educational Materials About the H1N1 Influenza Virus. Journal of Health Communication, 0:1–17, 2012 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1081-0730 print/1087-0415 online DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2012.727950
