How many independent repeats do you have?
Distinguish measurements from the independent samples they describe.
The question
A draft calls each reading an independent repeat. The team wants to know whether a response is consistent across independently assigned samples. The summary gives no link between each reading and its sample.
| Reported value | |
|---|---|
| Readings | 12 |
| Average response | 1.2 |
| Reference | 1 |
The response values are unitless. The summary gives one average across all readings.
“What would you check before calling the result consistent?”
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A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: Ask what was repeated
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Ask for the mapping from readings to independent samples.
The strong move. The reading count describes observations. Independence depends on how those observations were obtained.
Use 12 as the independent count because the dashboard has 12 readings.
Tempting, but it misses something. Several readings can come from the same independently assigned sample.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’d check which readings come from the same sample. Twelve readings can represent fewer than twelve independent units.”
Why it works: The reading count describes observations. Independence depends on how those observations were obtained.
Step 2: Ask for unit-level results
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Request the sample IDs and the response for each.
The strong move. The study question is consistency across samples. The unit-level results address that question.
Ask for more precision on the overall average.
Tempting, but it misses something. Extra digits in a pooled average leave the sample-level differences unknown.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’d ask for the result per independently assigned sample. Repeated readings can help check measurement consistency within each sample.”
Why it works: The study question is consistency across samples. The unit-level results address that question.
Step 3: Count the independent units
The source mapping shows 3 independently assigned samples, with 4 readings for each. Their mean responses are 1.4, 1.3 and 0.9.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Use three as the independent count and report the three means.
The strong move. Equal numbers of readings keep the average the same. The sample-level results show the disagreement.
Report twelve independent repeats because the average stays 1.2.
Tempting, but it misses something. The unchanged average gives no additional independent samples.
See how a strong candidate says it
“There are three independent samples and twelve readings. The average remains 1.2. Two of the three sample means are above 1.0, and one is below.”
Why it works: Equal numbers of readings keep the average the same. The sample-level results show the disagreement.
Step 4: Correct the claim
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Explain the disagreement and ask for the next independent check.
The strong move. The team can see the direction of each result and the open question.
Summarize the response as reproduced in all samples.
Tempting, but it misses something. One sample mean is below the reference of 1.0.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’d report the three sample means and keep the lower one visible. I’d ask the research lead what independent evidence would resolve the inconsistency.”
Why it works: The team can see the direction of each result and the open question.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Report three independent samples and the mixed results.
- Because
- The twelve readings describe the three units, with four readings for each.
- What would change it
- Further independent evidence could clarify how consistently the result holds.
Common traps
- Counting readings as independent units.
- Hiding sample disagreement in the average.
Check your answer
- I asked what was repeated.
- I identified the independent units.
- I kept the sample means visible.
- I gave the next question.
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026