Abstract
Because concrete explanations in a familiar context facilitate understanding, we illustrate the concept of an interaction via a baking analogy to provide students with food for thought. The demonstration initially introduces the concepts of independent and dependent variables using a chocolate chip cookie recipe. The demonstration provides an opportunity to distinguish between the main effect of an ingredient and the interactions between ingredients on taste perception. Student performance on exam questions suggests that this demonstration effectively helps students understand the concept and interpretation of an interaction.
Notes
a The empty sixth sandwich bag is used for storing excess baking soda after dumping the entire box of it into the small mixing bowl.
1Because cookie dough contains raw eggs, we do not allow students to eat the final product in the demonstration. Additionally, teachers should be aware that students will likely expect to receive real chocolate chip cookies after the demonstration is complete.
2We thank an anonymous reviewer for this pedagogical improvement to the demonstration.
3The results of our assessment did not change when we analyzed grades assigned by the instructor. In fact, instructor grades correlated .92 with those of our undergraduate coders.