A repeated-measures study is done comparing two treatments with [tex]\( n=4 \)[/tex] participants. This study produces [tex]\( M_D=2 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( SS=75 \)[/tex] for the difference scores. What is the estimated standard error?

A. 5
B. 25
C. [tex]\( \frac{25}{4} = 6.25 \)[/tex]
D. 2.5



Answer :

To determine the estimated standard error for the given repeated-measures study, follow these steps:

1. Identify the given information:
- Number of participants, [tex]\( n = 4 \)[/tex]
- Sum of squares for the difference scores, [tex]\( SS = 75 \)[/tex]
- Mean of the difference scores, [tex]\( M_D = 2 \)[/tex] (While this value is given, it's not directly used in the calculation of standard error.)

2. Calculate the variance of the difference scores:

The formula for variance ([tex]\( s^2_D \)[/tex]) using the sum of squares (SS) and the number of participants (n) is:
[tex]\[ s^2_D = \frac{SS}{n - 1} \][/tex]

Plugging in the known values:
[tex]\[ s^2_D = \frac{75}{4 - 1} = \frac{75}{3} = 25 \][/tex]

3. Calculate the estimated standard error:

The estimated standard error ([tex]\( s_{M_D} \)[/tex]) is obtained by dividing the variance by the number of participants and then taking the square root of the result:
[tex]\[ s_{M_D} = \sqrt{\frac{s^2_D}{n}} \][/tex]

Using the variance calculated in the previous step:
[tex]\[ s_{M_D} = \sqrt{\frac{25}{4}} = \sqrt{6.25} = 2.5 \][/tex]

Thus, the estimated standard error for this repeated-measures study is [tex]$2.5$[/tex].