State the research hypothesis in your own words. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
What were some variables the researchers controlled in their study? Why was this necessary?
What evidence do the researchers offer as a test of their hypothesis? Is this evidence empirical (observable)? Is it valid?
What explanation do the researchers offer for their findings? Does the evidence justify this explanation?
Read the following article:
Jenkins, J.S. (2001). The Mozart effect. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 94, 170-172.
Based on your readings, respond to the following:
Do you think there is any merit in the study (Rauscher, Shaw, & Ky, 1993)? Give three reasons for your position.
Does the study take individual differences in spatial ability into account?
What are two ways in which the experiment could be modified to make the results more generalizable?