This is an 8-point question. Part A is worth a total of 7 points and part B is worth 1 point. Students need
to describe how Professor Kester could test her hypothesis in part A and make a clear prediction about
the results in part B.
POINTS 1 AND 2
Students should identify parenting style and “independence” as the key variables in this hypothesis.
Students can refer to “parenting style” in general as the variable or can specifically refer to authoritarian,
authoritative, and permissive styles as variables. In order to receive points 1 and 2, students need to both
identify these variables and provide a possible operational definition for each. Possible operational
definitions are listed below (not an exhaustive list—students may score these points for other reasonable
operational definitions).
POINT 3
Students need to briefly describe a cross-sectional study that tests the hypothesis. In this brief description,
students need to include the idea that people of different ages are being tested at the same time (a cross-
sectional study). Students could describe a study in which groups of children, young adults, older adults,
and the elderly are given measures of independence, and these results are compared with self-report
inventories that measure parenting style in order to test the hypothesis.
POINT 4
Students need to briefly describe a longitudinal study that tests the hypothesis. In this brief description,
students need to include the idea that one group of children is being tested over a long period of time (a
longitudinal study). Students could describe a study in which a group of children is observed interacting
with their parents, and a dominant parenting style is established for each child. Then the independence of
these children is tested over a number of years in order to establish a relationship between parenting style
and independence.
Parenting style Observational studies of parents measuring relevant factors, such as
rule setting, rule enforcement, and levels of communication
Self-reports of parenting style
Instruments that measure parenting styles
Independence Self-reports of perceived independence
Observational checklists of independent and dependent behaviors
Other data describing independent/dependent behaviors, such as living
independent from parents, economic independence, etc.
Informed consent Students need to describe how Professor Kester described the goals of
the study to participants and received their consent (either through
signatures on a consent form or consent of parents for the participation
of children).
Coercion Students need to indicate that the participants were involved in the
study voluntarily and no coercive methods were used to ensure
continued participation.