GRAPHS 1 SPECIFICATIONS

(updated 05/23/2005)

Is retention of graphical information affected differently by test vs. study?

Task:

Study 6 graphs à test or re-study 3 times à test verbal retention after 7 days.

Stimuli:

6 simple graphs, with half randomly assigned to test or study trials for each subject.

Design:

2 within-subjects trial conditions:

1. Test: Graph presented without data à subject attempts to recall pattern of data + feedback

2. Study: Graph presented with data.

Procedure:

• Presentation phase: Randomly present all 6 graphs for 15 seconds each. Prior to each graph, present blank screen with title and short description of graph, for subject-paced time duration (see p. 3). Assume about 6 seconds to read each description (6 sec for description + 15 sec presentation, x 6 graphs = 2.1 minutes).

• Learning phase: Randomly assign 3 graphs each to Test and Study Trials. Each graph undergoes Test or Study 3 times.

• Trial 1: Randomly present all 6 graphs, 3 as Test Trials and 3 as Study Trials.

• Test trial: Present empty graph with no data or axis labels (see example below). Subject attempts to recall 5 components, in order: (1) X-axis label, (2) X-axis units, (3) Y-axis label, (4) Y-axis units, and (5) pattern of data. Outline each component in red for 5 seconds, then provide correct answer feedback for 2 seconds. (Total duration = 35 seconds). Following each graph, insert blank screen with “continue” button.

Example Test Trial:

• Study trial: Present graph with data included. Subjects given 35 seconds to study each graph. Following each graph, insert blank screen with “continue” button.

Example Study Trial:

• Trial 2: Repeat Trial 1 in new random order (with same items assigned to Test and Study Trials).

• Trial 3: Repeat Trial 2 in new random order (with same items assigned to Test and Study Trials).

• Retention phase: 2 days after Learning Phase, test verbal retention of information in graphs (see p. 5 for questions). Estimate 20 seconds for each question (24 questions x 20 seconds = 8 minutes).

Total time to complete: Estimate 3 minutes for consent and instructions + Presentation (2.1 min) + Trial 1 (3.5 min) + Trial 2 (3.5 min) + Trial 3 (3.5 min) + Retention phase (8 min) = 25.6 min.

Subjects: 50 web-based lottery subjects.

Graph descriptions:

United States Coal Exports: 1995 - 2004

This graph shows the number of million short tons of coal that have been exported out of the United States, every year, from 1995 to 2004.

Adoption Rate from Public Foster Care System

This graph shows the percent of children adopted from public foster care, out of five age categories: less than 1 year, 1 to 5 years, 6 to 10 years, 11 to 15 years, and 16 to 18 years.

Average Age of Automobiles in the United States: 1993 - 2003

This graph shows the average age (in years) of automobiles operated in the United States, every year, from 1993 to 2003.

Worldwide Orbital Space Launches

This graph shows the number of space devices launched into orbit in 2003, for five different areas of the world: United States, Europe, Russia, China, and the Ukraine.

Average Farm Size: 1900 - 1990

This graph shows the average number of acres of farmland, every decade, from 1900 to 1990.

Labor Union Membership According to Age

This graph shows the percent of employees who are Labor Union members, out of six age categories: 16 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 to 64, and over 65.

Final Test Questions:

United States Coal Exports: 1995 - 2004

1. During what year did U. S. coal exports increase the most?

a) 1995-1996

b) 1997-1998

c) 2001-2002

d) 2002-2003

2. During what year did U. S. coal exports decrease the most?

a) 1998-1999

b) 1999-2000

c) 2000-2001

d) 2001-2002

3. In what year was the highest amount of coal exported from the U. S.?

a) 1995

b) 1996

c) 1997

d) 1998

4. In what year was the lowest amount of coal exported from the U. S.?

a) 2001

b) 2002

c) 2003

d) 2004

Adoption Rate from Public Foster Care System

1. From what age category are children least likely to be adopted from public foster care?

a) Less than 1 year

b) 1-5 years

c) 6-10 years

d) 11-15 years

2. From what age category are children most likely to be adopted from public foster care?

a) 1-5 years

b) 6-10 years

c) 11-15 years

d) 16-18 years

3. Which of the following accurately describes the adoption rate for children between the ages of 11 and 15?

a) Lower than adoption rate for children between the ages of 6 and 10.

b) Higher than adoption rate for children less than 1 year of age.

c) Lower than adoption rate for children between the ages of 16 and 18.

d) Higher than adoption rate for children between the ages of 1 and 5 years.

4. Which of the following accurately describes the adoption rate for children between the ages of 6 and 10?

a) Lower than adoption rate for children less than 1 year of age.

b) Higher than adoption rate for children between the ages of 11 and 15 years.

c) Lower than adoption rate for children between the ages of 16 and 18 years.

d) Higher than adoption rate for children between the ages of 1 and 5 years.

Average Age of Automobiles in the United States: 1993-2003

1. In what year was the average age of U. S. automobiles the highest?

a) 1997

b) 1999

c) 2001

d) 2003

2. In what year was the average age of U. S. automobiles the lowest?

a) 1993

b) 1995

c) 1997

d) 1999

3. Which of the following accurately describes the average age of U. S. automobiles in 1998?

a) Higher than in 1999

b) Lower than in 1997

c) About the same as in 1999

d) About the same as in 1997

4. Which of the following accurately describes the average age of U. S. automobiles in 2002?

a) Higher than in 2001

b) Lower than in 2000

c) About the same as in 2001

d) About the same as in 2003

Worldwide Orbital Space Launches

1. Out of the following choices, which area has launched the highest number of orbital space devices?

a) China

b) Europe

c) Russia

d) Ukraine

2. Out of the following choices, which area has launched the lowest number of orbital space devices?

a) China

b) Europe

c) Russia

d) United States

3. Which of the following accurately describes the number of orbital space launches from Russia?

a) Fewer than the number of space launches from China

b) More than the number of space launches from the Ukraine

c) Fewer than the number of space launches from Europe

d) More than the number of space launches from the United States

4. Which of the following accurately describes the number of orbital space launches from China?

a) Fewer than the number of space launches from Europe

b) More than the number of launches from the United States

c) Fewer than the number of space launches from the Ukraine

d) More than the number of space launches from Russia

Average Farm Size: 1900-1990

1. In what year was the average farm size the largest?

a) 1930

b) 1950

c) 1970

d) 1990

2. In what year was the average farm size the smallest?

a) 1900

b) 1910

c) 1920

d) 1930

3. During what decade did the average farm size increase the most?

a) 1920-1930

b) 1930-1940

c) 1940-1950

d) 1950-1960

4. During what decade did the average farm size increase the least?

a) 1950-1960

b) 1960-1970

c) 1970-1980

d) 1980-1990

Labor Union Membership According to Age

1. What age category has the highest percentage of Union members?

a) 35-44

b) 45-54

c) 55-64

d) 65 and over

2. What age category has the lowest percentage of Union members?

a) 16-24

b) 25-34

c) 35-44

d) 65 and over

3. Which of the following accurately describes the percentage of Union members from 55 to 64 years of age?

a) Higher than the percentage of Union members from 25 to 34 years of age.

b) Lower than the percentage of Union members from 35 to 44 years of age.

c) Higher than the percentage of Union members from 45 to 54

d) Lower than the percentage of Union members over 65 years of age

4. Which of the following accurately describes the percentage of Union members 65 years of age and older?

a) Lower than the percentage of Union members 16 to 24 years of age.

b) Higher than the percentage of Union members 25 to 34 years of age.

c) Lower than the percentage of Union members 35 to 44 years of age.

d) Higher than the percentage of Union members 45 to 54 years of age.