Reporting Results in Factorial Between-Subjects ANOVA (1 of 4)

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Results should be described as simply and as free of statistical jargon as possible. Begin with a presentation of descriptive statistics. The descriptive statistics may be presented numerically, graphically, or both. The results of the analysis of variance should be discussed with reference to a graph of the group means. First note whether or not there is an interaction. Describe the relevant outcomes and back up any claims with the results of statistical tests. Do not let the statistical analysis become the focus of the discussion. Instead, focus the discussion on the graph of the means and use the statistical analysis as a way to substantiate the effects you point out in the graph. For example, consider the following hypothetical experiment on age differences in memory for words and pictures.

Sixteen 8-year-old children and 16 12-year-old children were shown a set of stimuli and later given a test to see how well they could recognize the stimuli that had been presented. Half children at each age level were presented with word stimuli; the other half were presented with pictorial stimuli. The percentage correct on the test was recorded for each child.