A sports psychologist conducted a study to investigate if a mental imagery training program improves athletes' self-reported pre-competition confidence compared to their usual pre-competition routine. A repeated measures design was used with a sample of 10 athletes. Each athlete rated their confidence level after using the mental imagery training program before one competition, and after using their standard routine before another competition (with the order counterbalanced). Confidence was rated on a scale from 1 (not confident at all) to 10 (extremely confident). The data obtained from the study is presented in the table below.
| Athlete | Confidence rating (1–10) with mental imagery training | Confidence rating (1–10) with standard routine |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | 6 |
| 2 | 8 | 8 |
| 3 | 7 | 5 |
| 4 | 6 | 7 |
| 5 | 8 | 5 |
| 6 | 9 | 7 |
| 7 | 5 | 4 |
| 8 | 7 | 6 |
| 9 | 8 | 5 |
| 10 | 6 | 6 |
What would be the appropriate non-parametric inferential statistical test to use to analyse the data from this study? Give reasons for your answer.
644 exam-style questions on OCR A Level Psychology Research methods and techniques. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.