Reference no: EM133408090

What effect does the way a problem is stated have on its difficulty?

Background Research/Theoretical Framework
A key to successful problem solving is adopting the correct problem representation, according to Gestalt theory. By understanding that each domino covers two squares and that these squares must be different colors, we can solve the mutilated checkerboard problem. By removing the two corner squares of the same color, we can't solve the problem. Using this idea, Craig Kaplan and Herbert Simon hypothesized that easier versions of the mutilated checkerboard problem would help participants understand this principle.

Independent Variable(s)
You must have at least one IV. You must label and OPERATIONALLY DEFINE what you mean by your IV and, if it is a manipulated IV, what each level will be for your manipulated variable (they should be rooted in research)

Dependent Variable
You must have at least one DV. You want to explain how you will measure your DV(s) and may want to cite the scale or measure if you use one from past research.

Hypotheses
What are your predicted outcomes? State in terms of the possible main effects and their possible interaction (if you have more than one IV). While you are a not required to predict an interaction, thinking about how the IVs influence each other is an important framework for understanding your design.

Participants

You should have enough participants to achieve power, and look at the literature to see standards and what is typical in this area of study. If there are any specific factors you are using to identify participants, explain those and how you will operationalize them.

Procedures
Explain all the steps of your study (bullet point or numbers is fine) and also include all the measures you would use.