A workplace psychologist investigated whether a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) micro-break improves self-reported alertness in office workers compared to a standard coffee break. A repeated measures design was used with a sample of 9 participants. Each participant completed a 5-minute HIIT micro-break on one afternoon and a standard 5-minute coffee break on another afternoon (with the order of conditions counterbalanced). At the end of each break, participants rated their alertness on a scale from 1 (extremely fatigued) to 15 (highly alert).
The data collected from the study is shown in the table below:
| Participant | Alertness rating (1–15) after HIIT break | Alertness rating (1–15) after coffee break |
|---|---|---|
| A | 12 | 9 |
| B | 14 | 11 |
| C | 8 | 8 |
| D | 11 | 7 |
| E | 13 | 12 |
| F | 15 | 10 |
| G | 7 | 6 |
| H | 10 | 11 |
| I | 12 | 8 |
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.