# Methods Section (Completion Draft)


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## Statistical Tests Conducted

The following analyses were conducted:

- Pearson correlation

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## Sample and Missing Data

The analytic sample comprised 180 participants.

No missing data required handling on the analytic variables.

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## Descriptive Statistics

Descriptive statistics were selected by measurement level, declared in advance:

- Nominal variables are described by frequencies and percentages, with the modal category reported.

- Ordinal variables are described by the median and the interquartile range.

- The mean and standard deviation are additionally reported for ordinal variables, marked as a supplement to the median and interquartile range.

- Interval and ratio variables are described by the mean and standard deviation, with skewness and kurtosis reported.

- Scale scores formed from summed or averaged items were treated as continuous variables for descriptive purposes.

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## Reliability

Internal-consistency reliability was assessed:

- Academic self efficacy: α = .82, 5 items

- Learning persistence: α = .77, 5 items

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## Assumption Checks

The assumptions underlying the tests were checked; where an assumption was not met, the pre-registered fallback was applied:

- Pearson correlation: normality — met; linearity — met. A normality test was significant, but with 30 or more cases and a shape that is not severe the planned test was kept; the departure is reported here.

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## Software

Statistical output is delivered in an SPSS-compatible format. All figures were computed with a validated statistical engine and are reported at full precision. The graphs in the results chapter were produced in Microsoft Excel.