A post hoc test is conducted to make multiple comparisons between the mean scores of three groups of clients in a child guidance center.Group A receives play therapy, only.Group B receives family therapy, only.Group C receives both play and family therapy.The significance level is .05.The p value for the difference between Groups A and B is .66.The p value for the difference between Groups A and C is .01.The p value for the difference between Groups B and C is .01.Which of the following interpretations is most appropriate in light of these results?
A)Play therapy and family therapy appear to be equally effective.
B)Play therapy appears to be effective.
C)Family therapy appears to be effective.
D)The combination of play and family therapy appears to be more effective than either play therapy alone or family therapy alone.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the p value for the difference between Groups A and C is significant at .01, we can conclude that play therapy alone is not as effective as the combination of play and family therapy. Similarly, the p value for the difference between Groups B and C is also significant at .01, indicating that family therapy alone is not as effective as the combination of play and family therapy. Therefore, the combination of play and family therapy appears to be more effective than either therapy alone. The non-significant p value for the difference between Groups A and B suggests that there is no significant difference in effectiveness between play therapy and family therapy alone. Thus, option D is the most appropriate interpretation of these results.

A Post Hoc Test Is Conducted to Make Multiple Comparisons