1. Independent t test “Using Relaxation Techniques and Positive Self-esteem to Improve Academic Achievement of College Students” Elisha Kennedy, Natalie Eberhart Doug Lobdell Brittney Hendrix

2. Background Information The purpose of this study was to examine whether muscle relaxation increased exam scores of college students compared to students who did not use muscle relaxation. Patten, Mildred L. Education & Psychological Research, Article 27: Using Relaxation Techniques and Positive Self-esteem to Improve Academic Achievement of College Students. pgs. 149-150. 1995

3. Research Question & Statistical Hypotheses Does there appear to be sufficient evidence to conclude with at least 95% confidence that the mean Final grade for students taking a muscle relaxation class is higher than the mean for students who do not take the muscle relaxation class? H 0 : µr- µc 0

4. Raw Data

5. Decision Rule Given: N 1 =20, N 2 =20, df=38, alpha level=.05, upper tail critical Reject H 0 if calculated t > +1.697

6. Descriptive Statistics

7. Calculations

8. Decision Reject H 0 with at least 95% confidence since calculated t=1.68 is > 1.697, within rounding.

9. Interpretation Yes, this study does provide sufficient evidence to conclude with at least 95% confidence that muscle relaxation classes increased final examination scores for college students. t(38)=1.68, p=.05 (one-tailed), r 2 =.07 (small effect size) The average final examination score for the relaxation students was 75.70 (SD=9.64) compared to the average final examination score for non-relaxation students of 70.80 (SD=8.74). The difference between these means is not large enough to confidently conclude a difference. The 95% confidence interval around the difference between the two group means is 3.91 to 15.69, which does not include 0.

10. Error Bar Graph for Final Examination Scores

11. Future Research This study would need a larger sample size since our calculated t was just barely in the rejection area. See if there is a difference between male and female students or university size.

12. Conclusion This study also gave us results for midterm grades and the results were the same.