A cognitive neuroscientist wanted to investigate whether ambient scent affects subjective confidence during a memory retrieval task. To do this, she conducted a repeated-measures experiment. A group of participants completed a memory retrieval task while exposed to a lavender scent, and then rated their confidence on a scale of 1 (highly doubtful) to 10 (completely certain). The same participants later completed an equivalent retrieval task while exposed to a peppermint scent, again rating their confidence on the same 1 to 10 scale.
| Confidence Ratings (1–10) | |
|---|---|
| Lavender Scent | Peppermint Scent |
| 4 | 7 |
| 6 | 8 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 5 | 9 |
| 7 | 6 |
| 4 | 8 |
| 5 | 7 |
| 2 | 6 |
| 6 | 8 |
| 3 | 7 |
Name the appropriate inferential statistical test to analyse the data in this study. Give reasons for your answer.
