The article “Utilizing Feedback and Goal Setting to Increase Performance Skills of Managers” (Academy of Management Journal [1979]: 516–526) reported the results of an experiment to compare three different interviewing techniques for employee evaluations. One method allowed the employee being evaluated to discuss previous evaluations, the second involved setting goals for the employee, and the third did not allow either feedback or goal setting. After the interviews were concluded, the evaluated employee was asked to indicate how satisfied he or she was with the interview. (A numerical scale was used to quantify level of satisfaction.) The authors used ANOVA to compare the three interview techniques. An F statistic value of 4.12 was reported.

a. Suppose that a total of 33 subjects were used, with each technique applied to 11 of them. Use this information to conduct a level .05 test of the null hypothesis of no difference in mean satisfaction level for the three interview techniques.

b. The actual number of subjects on which each technique was used was 45. After studying the F table, explain why the conclusion in Part (a) still holds.