Replicate This! Creating Individual-Level Data From Summary Statistics Using R

Abstract

Incorporating realistic data and research examples into quantitative (e.g., statistics and research methods) courses has been widely recommended for enhancing student engagement and comprehension. One way to achieve these ends is to use a data generator to emulate the data in published research articles. MorseGen is a free data generator that creates realistic, individual-level data based on user-specified summary statistics (e.g., N, mean, standard deviation, and r). These values can be used in course exercises that allow students to replicate the published results for any between-subjects design or correlation study. Using realistic data generated by MorseGen addresses multiple learning goals proposed for undergraduate psychology students as well as the initiative to increase the realism of exercises and examples in quantitative courses.