Exams
KIN 610: Quantitative Analysis of Research in Kinesiology
Exams
Purpose
Exams are comprehensive assessments designed to evaluate your understanding of statistical concepts, your ability to interpret data and results, and your competency in using SPSS to conduct analyses. Unlike weekly quizzes and labs that focus on individual topics, exams assess your ability to integrate knowledge across multiple topics and apply statistical reasoning to research scenarios.
Exams serve multiple purposes:
- Assess your mastery of statistical concepts and procedures
- Evaluate your ability to interpret statistical output and draw conclusions
- Test your practical skills in using SPSS for data analysis
- Measure your understanding of when and how to apply different statistical tests
- Demonstrate your ability to communicate statistical results appropriately
- Prepare you for conducting your own research and analyzing data
Exam Overview
You will complete two (2) exams in this course:
Exam 1
- Date: Week 10 (March 23, 2026)
- Coverage: Material from the beginning of the course through approximately Chapter 10
- Focus: Measurement concepts, descriptive statistics, normal curve, statistical inference, correlation, regression, t-tests
Exam 2
- Date: Finals Week (May 9, 2026)
- Coverage: Material after Exam 1, focusing on Chapters 11-16
- Focus: One-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, factorial ANOVA, and nonparametric tests
Exams do not focus on previously tested material, meaning Exam 2 primarily covers new content introduced after Exam 1. However, knowledge of previously tested material may be required to answer questions on new material, as statistical concepts build on one another.
Exam Format
Structure
- 6 to 10 questions per exam
- Each question is worth 10 points
- Total points per exam: 60-100 points
- Questions vary in type and complexity
Question Types
Exams include a mix of question types:
Conceptual Questions
- Define and explain statistical concepts
- Identify appropriate statistical tests for given scenarios
- Explain assumptions of statistical procedures
- Distinguish between related concepts
Interpretation Questions
- Interpret SPSS output provided in the exam
- Draw conclusions from statistical results
- Explain what results mean in practical terms
- Identify whether results support or refute hypotheses
Computational Questions
- Conduct analyses in SPSS using provided datasets
- Perform hand calculations when required
- Generate appropriate visualizations
- Report results in APA format
Application Questions
- Determine which statistical test to use for a research question
- Identify violations of assumptions
- Recommend appropriate follow-up analyses
- Critique research designs and data analysis approaches
What You Can (and Cannot) Use
Allowed During Exams
✅ Your own notes (handwritten or typed)
✅ Course textbook (physical or digital)
✅ Course materials (PDFs, handouts, ePortfolio)
✅ SPSS software (for computational questions)
✅ Companion eBook (fspss website)
✅ Your ePortfolio (highly recommended!)
NOT Allowed During Exams
❌ Cell phones (must be put away)
❌ Internet resources (beyond course materials)
❌ AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.)
❌ Communication with others (no collaboration)
❌ Someone else’s notes (must be your own)
❌ Previous students’ exams (academic dishonesty)
Even though you can use your notes and textbook, you must complete the exam in the allotted time. If you don’t understand the material before the exam, you won’t have time to learn it during the exam. Prepare thoroughly!
Time Limits
Exams must be completed in the allotted time:
- You will have the full class session (approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes) to complete the exam
- No extensions will be granted except for documented emergencies
- Plan your time carefully across all questions
- If using SPSS, save your work frequently to avoid losing progress
Quickly scan all questions first, then start with questions you feel most confident about. Save more challenging questions for later. Don’t spend too much time on any single question.
What Exams Focus On
Exams assess three main areas:
1. Concepts (Understanding)
Example Questions:
- “Explain the difference between Type I and Type II errors.”
- “What are the assumptions of an independent samples t-test?”
- “Define effect size and explain why it’s important.”
- “When would you use ANOVA instead of multiple t-tests?”
What’s Being Tested:
- Your understanding of statistical principles
- Your ability to explain concepts in your own words
- Your knowledge of when and why to use specific tests
2. Interpretation (Application)
Example Questions:
- “Based on this SPSS output, interpret the results of the correlation analysis.”
- “Given these ANOVA results with F(2, 57) = 4.32, p = .018, η² = .13, what can you conclude?”
- “Looking at this regression output, which predictors are significant?”
- “What do these normality test results indicate about the data?”
What’s Being Tested:
- Your ability to read and understand statistical output
- Your skill in drawing appropriate conclusions from data
- Your understanding of what statistical values mean in context
3. Computational Skills (Practice)
Example Questions:
- “Using the provided dataset, conduct an independent samples t-test to compare…”
- “Create a scatter plot with regression line for these variables and interpret the relationship.”
- “Run a one-way ANOVA with post-hoc tests and report the results in APA format.”
- “Check the assumptions for this analysis and determine if any are violated.”
What’s Being Tested:
- Your ability to use SPSS to conduct analyses
- Your skill in generating appropriate output
- Your proficiency in reporting results correctly
- Your competence in recognizing and addressing assumption violations
How to Prepare
Study Strategies
Review Course Materials
- Study all assigned textbook chapters
- Review your Major Takeaways from each week
- Look through completed lab assignments and instructor feedback
- Revisit quizzes and identify concepts you struggled with
- Review class notes and SPSS demonstration materials
Use Your ePortfolio
- This is exactly why you created it!
- Review your concept summaries for each topic
- Use your SPSS procedures reference as a guide
- Refer to your decision tables for test selection
- Review worked examples you documented
Practice with SPSS
- Practice running analyses in SPSS (don’t just read about them)
- Work through textbook examples on your own
- Re-do lab analyses to reinforce procedures
- Practice navigating SPSS menus and options quickly
- Ensure you can generate the needed output efficiently
Understand, Don’t Memorize
- Focus on understanding why procedures work, not just how
- Be able to explain concepts in your own words
- Understand the logic behind statistical tests
- Know when to use each procedure and why
Study with Others
- Form study groups to discuss concepts
- Explain concepts to classmates (teaching reinforces learning)
- Compare notes and fill in gaps
- Work through practice problems together
- Quiz each other on key concepts
Attend Review Sessions
- The instructor may offer exam review sessions—attend them!
- Ask questions about concepts you find confusing
- Clarify any misunderstandings before the exam
- Take notes during review sessions
What to Study
For Exam 1:
- Chapter 1: Measurement, statistics, research design
- Chapter 2 (or blog): Organizing and displaying data
- Chapter 4: Measures of central tendency
- Chapter 5: Measures of variability
- Chapter 6: The normal curve and z-scores
- Chapter 7: Statistical inference, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing
- Chapter 8: Correlation and bivariate regression
- Chapter 9: Multiple correlation and regression
- Chapter 10: Independent and paired t-tests
For Exam 2:
- Chapter 11: One-way ANOVA
- Chapter 12: Repeated measures ANOVA
- Chapter 14: Factorial ANOVA
- Chapter 16: Nonparametric tests (Chi-square, etc.)
- Integration of concepts from earlier in the semester
Don’t cram the night before. Start reviewing at least one week before the exam. Dedicate specific time each day to different topics.
During the Exam
Best Practices
Before You Begin
- Arrive early to get settled and minimize stress
- Have all allowed materials ready and organized
- Use the restroom before the exam starts
- Take a few deep breaths to calm nerves
As You Work
- Read each question carefully and fully before answering
- Underline or highlight key words in questions
- Show your work when performing calculations
- For SPSS questions, save your output as you go
- If stuck, move on and come back later
- Budget your time across all questions
- Double-check your answers if time permits
For SPSS Questions
- Save your SPSS data file frequently
- Keep your output organized
- Include only relevant tables/charts
- Label output clearly so grader knows which question it addresses
- Check your results for obvious errors (impossible values, etc.)
For Written Responses
- Write clearly and legibly (if handwritten)
- Use complete sentences for interpretations
- Include all necessary statistical information
- Use proper statistical notation
- Be specific and concise
Exams are individual assessments. Any form of cheating will result in a failing grade for the course. This includes:
- Using unauthorized resources (internet, AI, others’ notes)
- Communicating with other students during the exam
- Copying from another student
- Having someone else take the exam for you
Grading
Point Distribution
- Each exam is worth 25% of your final course grade
- Combined, the two exams account for 50% of your final grade
- Each question is worth 10 points
- Total exam points range from 60-100 points depending on number of questions
Grading Criteria
Questions are evaluated based on:
Accuracy (40-50%)
- Correctness of statistical procedures
- Accurate interpretation of results
- Correct identification of appropriate tests
- Proper calculations and output
Understanding (30-40%)
- Demonstration of conceptual understanding
- Quality of explanations
- Ability to apply knowledge to new situations
- Recognition of assumptions and limitations
Communication (10-20%)
- Clarity of written responses
- Proper use of statistical terminology
- Correct APA formatting of results
- Organization and presentation
Completeness (10%)
- All parts of questions answered
- Required work shown
- Necessary output included
Partial Credit
- Partial credit is generally awarded for questions where you show understanding but make errors
- Showing your work is important—even if your final answer is wrong, you may earn points for correct process
- Completely blank answers receive 0 points
- Attempting an answer, even if uncertain, is better than leaving it blank
After the Exam
Exam Review
Once exams are graded and returned:
- Review your graded exam carefully
- Understand what you missed and why
- Ask questions about anything that’s unclear
- Learn from mistakes to improve for the next exam or future courses
- Attend office hours if you need additional clarification
Once grades are posted, they are typically final unless there was a clear grading error. Contact the instructor immediately if you believe an error occurred.
Common Questions
Not directly. Exam 2 focuses on new material after Exam 1, but you may need to use earlier concepts to answer questions about new material.
Yes! This is one of the main reasons you created it. Your ePortfolio is an excellent resource during exams.
No. You are allowed to use your notes and materials, which should include any formulas or procedures you need. This is why organizing your ePortfolio is important!
You must submit what you have completed when time expires. Manage your time carefully and don’t spend too long on any single question.
Notify the instructor immediately. Save your work frequently to minimize loss. Technical issues will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
You can ask clarifying questions about what a question is asking, but the instructor cannot help you answer the question or explain concepts during the exam.
Contact the instructor as soon as possible with documentation. Makeup exams may be permitted for documented emergencies but must be arranged with the instructor.
The instructor may provide sample questions or practice problems, but previous semesters’ actual exams are not typically distributed.
Be thorough enough to demonstrate understanding. Explain what results mean in practical terms, not just statistical jargon.
Exam questions may be similar in content but are generally more comprehensive and may require deeper application of concepts.
Technical Requirements
Computer Lab Setup
- Exams are taken in the computer lab (RE 276)
- SPSS will be available on all lab computers
- Save your work frequently to avoid loss
- Familiarize yourself with the lab computers before the exam
- Know how to access your notes and materials on the computer
Backup Plan
- Have printed notes as a backup in case of technical issues
- Know how to quickly find information in your textbook
- Have your ePortfolio accessible (printed or digital)
Tips for Success
Before Exam Day
- ✓ Start studying early (at least one week before)
- ✓ Create a study schedule and stick to it
- ✓ Review all course materials systematically
- ✓ Practice SPSS procedures until they’re automatic
- ✓ Organize your ePortfolio for easy reference
- ✓ Identify weak areas and focus extra study time there
- ✓ Get adequate sleep the night before
- ✓ Prepare materials you’ll bring to the exam
During the Exam
- ✓ Read questions carefully before answering
- ✓ Manage your time across all questions
- ✓ Show your work for calculations
- ✓ Save SPSS work frequently
- ✓ Stay calm if you encounter difficult questions
- ✓ Answer what you can first, then return to harder questions
- ✓ Check your work if time permits
After the Exam
- ✓ Don’t dwell on it once it’s over
- ✓ Learn from the experience when you get it back
- ✓ Use feedback to improve for the next exam
- ✓ Ask questions about anything unclear
Relationship to Course Learning
Exams integrate everything you’ve learned:
Readings & Quizzes → Introduced concepts tested on exams
Major Takeaways → Helped you identify and remember key concepts
Labs → Provided hands-on practice with procedures tested on exams
In-Class Activities → Reinforced concepts and procedures
ePortfolio → Organized all learning into a useful exam reference
If you’ve engaged meaningfully with all course components throughout the semester, exams become opportunities to demonstrate what you’ve learned rather than stressful ordeals. Consistent effort throughout the course is the best exam preparation!
Summary
Exams are comprehensive assessments that:
- Test your understanding of statistical concepts
- Evaluate your ability to use SPSS effectively
- Assess your skill in interpreting results
- Measure your competence in applying statistical reasoning
- Account for 50% of your final course grade (25% each)
Keys to Success:
- Study consistently throughout the semester
- Complete all assignments as learning opportunities
- Maintain a thorough, organized ePortfolio
- Practice SPSS procedures regularly
- Understand concepts deeply, don’t just memorize
- Prepare thoroughly and start early
- Stay calm and manage time during the exam
Remember: Exams assess what you’ve learned throughout the course. If you’ve engaged with the material consistently—completing readings, quizzes, labs, and building your ePortfolio—you’ll be well-prepared. These exams are your opportunity to demonstrate the statistical knowledge and skills you’ve developed!