2. Webinar Recordings/Resources
Webinars
This Week
Welcome to the 4th in a series of 25 free webinars…
Webinar Recordings/Resources

3. A packed day with OVER 40 active teaching & learning activities…
CPD Events
Fast-Track Your Planning for AQA A Level Psychology (Year 2)
Birmingham 23rd September
London 30th September
To book:
Visitwww.tutor2u.net.net/events/teachers or
A packed day with OVER 40 active teaching & learning activities…

4. The Sign Test The Sign Test: Non-Parametric Test Nominal Data
Repeated Measures Design
It’s the only test that students might be asked to calculate in the exam.
Introduction to statistical testing; the sign test.
•• Probability and significance: use of statistical tables and critical values in interpretation of
significance; Type I and Type II errors.
•• Factors affecting the choice of statistical test, including level of measurement and experimental
design. When to use the following tests: Spearman’s rho, Pearson’s r, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney,
related t-test, unrelated t-test and Chi-Squared test.

5. The sign test
The sign test is used when looking at paired or related data (from a repeated measures or matched-pairs design).
Let’s imagine the following…
Person
Weight before (KG)
Weight after (KG) 1
Jim 80 70 2
Geoff 82 81 3
Joseph 78 85 4
Michelle 50 5
Jon 65 62 6
Graham
105 69 7
Ruth 55 53 8
Anne 54 9
Hayley 49 10
Anthony

6. The sign test - - + - - - - - +
Step 1: Work out the ‘sign’. Has the score (weight in kg) gone up or down…
Person
Weight before (KG)
Weight after
(KG) 1
Jim 80 70 2
Geoff 82 81 3
Joseph 78 85 4
Michelle 50 5
Jon 65 62 6
Graham
105 69 7
Ruth 55 53 8
Anne 54 9
Hayley 49 10
Anthony - - + - - - - - +

7. The sign test 2. Calculate the value of ‘S’
Give the calculated value of S in this study and explain how you arrived at this figure. [3 marks]
The calculated value of S is the score we get from adding up the total number of pluses (+=2) and the total number of minuses (-=7) and then taking the number which is the lowest, in this case 2.
However, any non-differences (0s=1) are ignored.
Therefore, the calculated value of S = 2
Weight loss -
Weight gain +
Weight same
Tutor2u employees 7 2 1

8. The sign test 3. Calculate the value of ‘N’
What is the value of N and how explain how you arrive at this figure. [3 marks]
In relation to the sign test, N stands for the total number of scores (ignoring any zero values). In this case 7+2=9.
The value of N = 9.
Weight loss
Weight gain
Weight same
Tutor2u employees 7 2 1

9. one-tailed (directional) Two-tailed (non-directional)
The sign test
Calculated S = 2
N = 9
4. Find the critical S value…
What is the critical value of S for a one-tailed test at a 0.05 significant level.
The critical value of S = 1.
one-tailed (directional)
0.05
0.01
Two-tailed (non-directional)
0.10
0.02 N 5 6 7 8 1 9 10 11 2 12

10. The sign test Calculated S = 2 N = 9 Critical value of S = 1
5. Determine whether the results are significant.
For the sign test, the calculated value must be equal to or less than the critical value, for the results to be significant.
Therefore, as the calculated value [2] is higher than our critical value [1], these results are not significant at a 0.05 level.

11. The sign test in 5 steps…
1: Work out the ‘sign’. Has the score gone up (+) or down (-)…
2. Calculate the value of ‘S’. The lowest score, excluding any ‘nil’ scores.
3. Calculate the value of ‘N’. The total number of scores, excluding any ‘nil’ scores.
4. Find the critical S value…Using the critical values table.
5. Determine whether the results are significant.
Is your calculated value for S less than or equal to the critical value for S?

12. The sign test
Let’s apply the sign test to one of the sample questions:

13. The sign test
The psychologists conducting the training decided to use the Sign Test to see whether there was a significant difference in confidence in managing difficult classroom behaviour before and after the course. Give the calculated value of S in this study and explain how you arrived at this figure. [3 marks]
Answer:
The calculated value of S = 2
The calculated value of S is the score we get from adding up the total number of pluses (+=16) and the total number of minuses (-=2) and then taking the number which is the lowest, in this case 2. However, any non-differences (0s) are ignored.
Poll
The calculated value of S is…
16, 2, 4, 14

14. The sign test
What is the value of N and how explain how you arrive at this figure. [3 marks]
Answer:
In relation to the sign test, N stands for the total number of scores (ignoring any zero values). In this case 16+2=18.
The value of N = 18.
Poll
The value of N is…
16, 2, 20, 18

15. one-tailed (directional) Two-tailed (non-directional)
Weight loss
Weight gain
Weight same
Tutor2u employees 7 2 1
The sign test
Calculated S = 2
N = 18
What is the critical value of S for a one-tailed test at a 0.05 significant level.
The critical value of S = 5.
one-tailed (directional)
0.05
0.01
Two-tailed (non-directional)
0.10
0.02 N 11 2 1 12 13 3 14 15 16 4 17 18 5
What is the critical value of S at a 0.05 level….
4, 5, 18, 2

16. The sign test Calculated S = 2 N = 18 Critical value of S = 5
5. Determine whether the results are significant.
For the sign test, the calculated value must be equal to or less than the critical value, for the results to be significant.
Therefore, as the calculated value [2] is lower than our critical value [5], these results are significant at a 0.05 level.
Are the results significant?
Yes No
You lost me a while ago (I’ll watch the webinar on YT later)

17. The sign test
Explain why statistical testing is used in psychological research. [2 marks]
Answer:
Statistical tests are used to determine whether the difference found (or relationship) occurred due to chance.
APPLICATION: Therefore, the psychologist was conducting a test to see if the training programme affected the teachers confidence level.

18. Resources Activity 1 – Revisiting the Sign Test
Use the webinar recording as a revision activity / independent cover work…

19. Resources Activity 2: Sign Test Sorted
Complete sign test calculation worksheet with teacher answers.

20. Strong Foundations 1) Research Methods LIVE!
2) Explore Inferential Statistics
3) Using your Year 1 stuff to NAIL issues and debates
LUNCH
4) Let’s get ready for Year 2 Biopsychology
5) Raising your game in Year 2

21. Today’s Resources & Any Questions
Today’s resources will be posted in our AQA Teacher FB Group. Search ‘AQA A Level Psychology Teachers’ OR
Sign Up to our Daily Digest: and receive an tomorrow morning directing you to the resources.

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