Deck 21: Multilevel Linear Models

Question 1

Still using the same example, which of the following statements is correct? (You may select more than one option.)

A) Athletes are nested within coaches.
B) Coaches are nested within athletes.
C) Clubs are nested with countries.
D) Countries are nested within coaches.

Answer 1

A AND C

Question 2

A covariance structure needs to be applied to multilevel modelling when there are random effects or repeated measures incorporated into the design. These are important as they provide an estimate of the model parameters, but what happens if you apply a covariance structure that is too simple?

A) It increases the likelihood of making a Type I error.
B) It increases the likelihood of making a Type II error.
C) It increases the likelihood of making a Type I or Type II error.
D) It increases the likelihood of accepting the null hypothesis when it is false.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Suppose you were interested in the effect of parental influence (x-axis) on a child's confidence (y-axis) when playing rugby. In addition, you examine the coach's qualifications . What will be the most likely appearance of the intercept and slope?

A) Fixed intercept, random slope
B) Fixed intercept, fixed slope
C) Random intercept, random slope
D) Random intercept, fixed slope

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Prior to conducting a multilevel analysis, how might you check linearity and any unusual cases (e.g. outlying cases)?

A) Scatterplots
B) Bar charts
C) Pie charts
D) Radar plot

Question 5

Which of the following would not be expected to change with time?

A) Attitude towards training
B) Gender of participants
C) Anxiety prior to competition
D) Cellular mitochondria density during aerobic training

Question 6

One of the issues with multilevel linear analysis is that it introduces dependency between the contextualized variables (e.g. the influence of different coaches on their athletes' confidence), but what does this mean?

A) Residuals within the model will be correlated.
B) The variables are from different cases and therefore make the model unstable.
C) Independence of the different levels makes the analysis more prone to Type I error.
D) The experimental nature of the research design implies that the contextualized variables will differ at each level of the model.

Question 7

Which of the following descriptions best applies to this graph?

A) Fixed intercept, random slope
B) Fixed intercept, fixed slope
C) Random intercept, random slope
D) Random intercept, fixed slope

Question 8

Based on a multilevel analysis, a chi-square value of 7.05 was obtained at one degree of freedom. What could be concluded from this finding?

A) The change is not significant.
B) The change is significant at the .10 level.
C) The change is significant at the .05 level.
D) The change is significant at the .01 level.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a form of polynomial curve?

A) Linear
B) Quadratic
C) Cubic
D) Binomial

Question 10

Group mean centring is a useful way to prevent multicollinearity, but how is it usually calculated?

A) An individual score (player confidence) is subtracted from a group mean (mean player confidence in that group).
B) An individual score (player confidence) is multiplied by the group mean (mean player confidence in that group).
C) An individual score (player confidence) is added to a group mean (mean player confidence in that group).
D) An individual score (player confidence) is divided by a group mean (mean player confidence in that group).

Question 11

Which of the following are alternative names for multilevel linear analysis? (You may select more than one option.)

A) Random coefficient model
B) Linear mixed model
C) Hierarchical linear model
D) Dependent variable model

Question 12

What is the purpose of multilevel linear analysis?

A) To analyse data with a hierarchial structure.
B) To analyse data from independent groups.
C) To analyse data that are logarithmic.
D) To analyse data that are not normally distributed and do not have the assumption of sphericity.

Question 13

Which of the following descriptions best applies to this graph?

A) Fixed intercept, random slope
B) Fixed intercept, fixed slope
C) Random intercept, random slope
D) Random intercept, fixed slope

Question 14

Suppose you were interested in the development of player confidence when exposed to structured coaching sessions. What is the name of the model that examines the rate of development or change in a given variable (e.g. confidence)?

A) Growth model
B) Seismic model
C) Formulation model
D) Analysis model

Question 15

Sports and exercise science related research frequently uses small sample groups. Therefore, when applying a multilevel analysis technique it is necessary to calculate the log-likelihood value. SPSS produces four versions of the calculation, but which of the following would be most appropriate to use when sample sizes are small?

A) Hurvich and Tsai's criterion (AICC)
B) Akaike's information criterion (AIC)
C) Bozdogan's criterion (CAIC)
D) Schwarz's Bayesian criterion (BIC)

Question 16

Where would you position the club (i.e. what level) in the model of Q3?

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6

Question 17

What is the minimum number of levels required to perform a multilevel linear analysis?

A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5

Question 18

If a lack of linearity is identified as an issue, how might you address this?

A) Transform the data.
B) Change the test to a chi-square test.
C) Linearity is not important within multilevel analysis.
D) Conduct group mean centring.

Question 19

A researcher wanted to investigate the confidence levels of athletes in different athletics clubs. In addition, he wanted to see whether the athletes' coaches had an influence and whether this varied from country to country. How many levels would be involved in this analysis?

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6

Question 20

The UK coaching pyramids in rugby essentially have five levels, with level 1 introducing individuals to coaching, whilst level 5 is tailored for those working at professional clubs or international teams. How would you describe the effects if all five levels were analysed?

A) Fixed effects
B) Random effects
C) Variable effects
D) Intercept effects

Question 21

What is a second-order polynomial also known as?

A) Linear
B) Quadratic
C) Cubic
D) Binomial

Question 22

Suppose that you are interested in player attitudes towards a new coach at a given sports club. Measures were taken at different time points, the first being baseline (just before the coach started), the second after 6 months and the third after a year. What models could be applied to the data to express change in player attitude? (You may choose more than one option.)

A) Linear
B) Quadratic
C) Cubic
D) Binomial

Question 23

Based on the example above, how many rows are required (in data view) for each individual surveyed in this study for a multilevel analysis to be conducted in SPSS?

A) 1 row per person
B) 2 rows per person
C) 3 rows per person
D) 4 rows per person