Summary: In order to determine the different stages of change present in physical activity in adults who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) the authors utilized the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to compare the differences in physical activity behaviors present between those with MS and those of the general population to determine the disparity present between the two (Plow, Finlayson & Cho, 2011).
Null Hypothesis: A null hypothesis indicates that there is no correlation in that which is being tested (What is a null hypothesis?, 2013). The null hypothesis of the study would be that there is no direct correlation between MS physical activity behaviors and those of the physical activity behaviors of the general population, i.e. that the physical activity level will vary from individual to individual, regardless of a diagnosis of MS.
Use your promo and get a custom paper on
"Advanced Statistics Correlation Analysis".
Alternative Hypothesis: The alternative hypothesis is that there is a correlation between the difference in physical activity of the general population and those with MS, showing that as the stages of MS progress, there is a definitive difference between those stages and a decrease in physical activity level from that of the general populace.
Correlation Analysis Statistic: The overall accuracy of predicting the different stages of change in physical activity in correlation with the stages of MS in comparison to the general population was 58.75% (Plow, Finlayson, & Cho, 2011).
Dependent Variable: The dependent variable, or response measured (Collier, n.d.), was the correlation between physical activity levels in adults with MS in comparison to the general population (Plow, Finlayson, & Cho, 2011).
Independent Variable: The independent variable, or variable manipulated for the research (Collier, n.d.), is the level of change present in behavioral processes, cognitive processes, mobility, and self-efficacy (Plow, Finlayson, & Cho, 2011).
Were the assumptions of the test met?: Yes, the assumptions of the test were met, in that there was a definite change between physical activity levels of MS adults based on a variety of factors.
Was the study statistically significant and if so, why?: The study was statistically significant due to the fact that the TTM had never been applied to other populations outside of the general population; such a study shows that there is a distinct statistical difference present between those with degenerative diseases and those without.
- Collier, W. (n.d.). Independent & dependent variables. [online] Retrieved from: http://www2.uncp.edu/home/collierw/ivdv.htm [Accessed: 12 Feb 2014].
- Null-hypothesis.co.uk. (2013). Null hypothesis | what is a null hypothesis?. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.null-hypothesis.co.uk/science/item/what_is_a_null_hypothesis/ [Accessed: 12 Feb 2014].
- Plow, M. A., Finlayson, M. & Cho, C. (2011). Correlates of stages of change for physical activity in adults with multiple sclerosis. Research In Nursing \& Health, 34 (5), pp. 378–388.
