Research methods - Chapter 2

What is the problem with being swayed by a good story?

A good story may not be supported by data

When reading an empirical journal article "with purpose," which section should you read first?

Abstract

Which of the following has the sections of an empirical journal article in the correct order?

Abstract, Method, Results, Discussion, References

Ellie is looking for a summary of research on the effects of childhood abuse on adult functioning. Which of the following scientific sources would NOT be an ideal source?

An empirical journal article

The two biases of intuition discussed in the text are:

Being swayed by a good story and being persuaded by what comes easily to mind

Sasha believes that she is a nice person. To confirm this, she asks all her friends whether she is a nice person; they all agree that she is. Sasha concludes that she is a nice person and says she has evidence of it. However, she does not ask any of her enemies whether they think she is a nice person. This is an example of which of the following?

Cherry-picking of evidence

A psychiatrist is testing a drug that treats depression. He has given the drug to all his patients and all of them have experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms. Although this is interesting, his experience is limited because he does not have a

Comparison group that did not receive the drug

An alternative explanation for an outcome is known as a/an:

Confound

You and your friends go to see a speaker on campus, Dr. Darian, an "expert" on getting into graduate school. Which of the following should make you less skeptical about his advice?

His recommendations are based on research he conducted for his dissertation

Matthew is reading an empirical journal and wants to know whether the authors used the Big Five Inventory (BFI-44) or the NEO-PI to measure extraversion. In which section would he find this information?

Methods

James is asked about what is the best way to study for an exam. He responds that the best way to study is by making flash cards. He easily things of all the times he used flash cards and he made As. However, he fails to take into consideration all the times he made As and did not use flash cards and the times he used flash cards and did not do well. His faulty thinking is an example of:

Present/present bias

Which of the following is true of the distinction between scientific journals and popular magazines?

Scientific journal articles are peer-reviewed; popular magazine articles are not

Javier wants his lab partner to tell him if he thinks the article he found for their project is appropriate. Rather than have him read the article, which two parts of the paper could Javier have his lab partner read to get a summary of the article?

The abstract and the first paragraph of the discussion

Edward believes that there are a lot of differences between men and women on a variety of different dimensions. He believes this because when he thinks about books that have been written on men and women, he can recall only books that say men and women are different (e.g., Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus) and cannot recall any that say men and women are the same. His reliance on what comes to mind is an example of which of the following?

The availability heuristic

Looking for which of the following in a trade book will give you a hint as to its scientific rigor?

The number of references