Psychology Research Methods - Chapter 5

During the initial, exploratory stage of a research project, the correlational approach to research is useful because it _____. helps identify potential causal relationships that can provide a rich source of hypotheses incorporates a high degree of control over the variables of one's study suggests an experimental method that prevents manipulation of variables avoids checking how naturally occurring variables relate in the real world

A.

Extraneous variables cannot cause uncontrolled variation in a researcher's dependent variable if these variables _____. do not vary over the course of the experiment affect the behavior of the participants intermittently fluctuate at different stages of the experiment do not affect the results of the research

A.

Identify a true statement about extraneous variables in experimental research. Experimental research has a defining characteristic of control over extraneous variables. Extraneous variables in experimental research are those that do not affect the behavior of interest at any point. Extraneous variables cannot produce uncontrolled changes in the value of the dependent variables. Extraneous variables in experimental research are ruled out as possible alternative explanations for a researcher's results.

A.

Identify a way to deal with the effects of extraneous variables that cannot be held constant. Randomize their effects across treatments. Produce chance differences in behavior across the levels of the independent variable. Ensure that the independent variable is shown to produce effects even if it does not. Vary their extraneous variables over the course of the experiment.

A.

Identify the true statement about random assignment. It allows the use of inferential statistics to evaluate the probability with which chance alone could have produced the observed differences. It prevents a researcher from seeking control over extraneous variables. It guarantees that the effects of extraneous variables will be distributed evenly across treatments. It fails to establish clear causal relationships between observed variables.

A.

In the experimental approach to research, as a researcher increases the degree of control that he or she exerts over extraneous variables, _____. the ability to assess the generality of any relationships decreases the ability to identify and describe causal and correlational relationships diminishes the need to apply his or her findings to situations that differ from the conditions of the original experiment reduces the ability to establish causal relationships decreases

A.

In which stage of a research project is the correlational research approach's ability to identify potential causal relationships useful? A. Exploratory data collection stage B. Hypothesis testing stage C. Results discussion stage D. Citation and reference acknowledgment stage

A.

The value of a dependent variable in an experimental design depends on the _____. behavior of the participants extent to which it occurs naturally and relates to the real world degree of manipulation of the independent variable experimenter's judgment

A.

The value of an independent variable in an experimental design is independent of the _____. A. participant's behavior B. reviewer's bias C. researcher's opinion D. preexisting knowledge

A.

Unidirectional and bidirectional are types of _____ relationships. causal analytical hypothetical correlational

A.

When a brick is dropped accidentally on an individual's toe, the impact of the brick will stimulate pain receptors in the toe and therefore the individual screams involuntarily. The fall of the brick leading to the pain in the toe is an example of a _____. causal relationship covariant relationship correlational relationship relationship of invariability

A.

Match the types of groups in an experimental design (in the left column) to their correct meanings (in the right column). A. Experimental group B. Control group 1. The group receiving treatment 2. The group that is subject to no treatment

A. 1., B. 2.

Match the meanings of internal validity in different situations (in the left column) to their corresponding descriptions (in the right column). A. Internal validity in an experiment B. Internal validity in a correlational study 1. Changes in the value of the criterion variable relate solely to changes in the value of your predictor variable and not to changes in other, extraneous variables. 2. Variation in the independent variable, and only the independent variable, caused the observed variation in the dependent variable.

A. 2., B. 1.

Match the types of approaches to research (in the left column) with their features (in the right column). A. The correlational approach B. The experimental approach 1. It can tell whether changes in one variable (the independent variable) actually caused changes in the other (the dependent variable). 2. It can tell only that changes in the value of one variable tend to accompany changes in the value of a second variable.

A. 2., B. 1.

Match the types of variable in a correlational research (in the left column) to their correct definitions (in the right column). A. Predictor variable B. Criterion variable 1. The variable whose value is being predicted 2. The variable that is used to predict

A. 2., B. 1.

Match the factors (in the left column) with their effects on external validity as discussed by Campbell and Stanley (1963) (in the right column). A. Reactive testing B. Interactions between participant selection biases and the independent variable C. Reactive effects of experimental arrangements D. Multiple treatment interference 1. Occurs when participants are exposed to multiple experimental treatments in which exposure to early treatments affects responses to later treatments 2. Effects observed may apply only to the participants included in the study, especially if they are unique to a group 3. Refers to the effects of highly artificial experimental situations used in some research and a participant's knowledge that he or she is a research participant 4. Occurs when a pretest affects participants' reaction to an experimental variable, making those participants' responses unrepresentative of the general population

A. 4., B. 2., C. 3., D. 1.

True or false: Establishing that a correlational relationship exists between two variables makes it possible to predict from the value of one variable the probable value of the other variable. A. True B. False

A. True

Identify the two obstacles that stand in the way of drawing clear causal inferences from correlational data. (Select all that apply.) A. The directionality problem B. The third-variable problem C. The problem of generality D. The problem of internal validity

A., B.

Identify the goals of exploratory data collection and analysis in the context of scientific research. (Check all that apply.) To classify behaviors in a given research area To form tentative explanations for behaviors in a given research area To develop testable explanations for a hypothesis To identify the variables involved in explaining the behavior of interest

A., D.

A relationship in which one variable directly or indirectly influences another is known as a _____. covariant relationship causal relationship nonexperimental relationship correlational relationship

B.

A research design that lacks an independent variable and exposes a group of subjects to one (and only one) treatment condition is known as a(n) _____. experiment demonstration model theory

B.

An accurate statement about hypothesis testing is that it _____. usually begins after an independent variable in a given research area is manipulated and extraneous variables are controlled usually begins after one has collected enough information about behaviors in a given research area to begin developing supportable explanations consists of randomizing the effects of extraneous variables across the levels of an independent variable in a given research area consists of classifying behaviors in a given research area and identifying the variables involved in explaining the behavior of interest

B.

Even when a direct causal relationship exists between two observed variables in a relationship, the direction of causality is sometimes difficult to determine. This difficulty is known as the _____. third-variable problem directionality problem internal validity problem criterion variable problem

B.

In order to manipulate an independent variable in an experimental research design, a researcher must _____. use a correlational approach in the exploratory data collection stage of the research expose research participants to at least two levels of that variable avoid controlling extraneous variables that may impact participant behavior relate naturally occurring variables to the real world

B.

In order to see how naturally occurring variables relate in the real world, a(n) _____ research design is preferred. experimental correlational empirical observational

B.

In unidirectional relationships, the first variable can influence the second but not vice versa; however, in bidirectional relationships, _____. Multiple choice question. only the second variable can influence the first each variable influences the other only the second variables are influenced the variables are not influenced by one another

B.

Research in which a researcher makes no attempt to manipulate variables but observes them "as is" is known as _____. experimental research correlational research nonvariant research causal research

B.

The process of assigning participants to treatments randomly in order to distribute the effects of differences across treatments in such a way that they cannot be mistaken for the effects of the independent variable is known as _____. A. universal treatment B. random assignment C. purposive validation D. systematic observation

B.

To establish a causal relationship between two variables, one must be able to demonstrate that _____. Multiple choice question. variables in a given relationship are mutually exclusive so much so that the impact of one on another is negligible variation in one of the observed variables could only be due to the influence of the other observed variable there is a third variable that could account for the behavior of the existing two variables that are independent of each other in function the action of an unobserved third variable is crucial in drawing conclusions about the relationship between existing variables

B.

Uncontrolled variability of extraneous variables in an experimental research may produce chance differences in behavior across the levels of the independent variable, making it appear as though the independent variable _____. is irrelevant to the research study produced effects when it did not influenced other external factors is capable of affecting the experiment

B.

What is the role of a third variable in correlational relationships that may have resulted from the action of an unobserved third variable? It may create a direct relationship between two observed variables. It may influence both of the observed variables. It may fail to cause both observed variables to vary together. It may lead to the two observed variables to not be strongly correlated as neither variable causes changes in the other.

B.

True or false: There are no techniques to evaluate and statistically control the effects of third variables. A. True B. False

B. False

True or false: Unlike an experimental design, in a correlational design variables are manipulated to determine their effects on other variables. A. True B. False

B. False

Identify two defining features of experimental research. (Select all that apply.) Identification of potential correlational relationships that can provide a rich source of hypotheses Manipulation of one or more independent variables Observation of how naturally occurring variables relate in the real world Control over extraneous variables

B., D.

A relationship in which changes in one variable accompany changes in another is known as a(n) _____. causal relationship inductive relationship correlational relationship deductive relationship

C.

How are control groups different from experimental groups? It fails to provide a baseline of behavior against which participant behavior in the experimental groups can be compared. It produces extraneous variables that suggest uncontrolled changes in the value of the dependent variables. It is not exposed to experimental treatment. It is not treated exactly like the experimental group.

C.

Identify a situation in which a correlational research design is chosen over an experimental design. To enable manipulation of one or more independent variables To exercise more control over extraneous variables To see how naturally occurring variables relate in the real world To incorporate a high degree of control over the variables of a study

C.

Identify a way to control the effects of extraneous variables. A. Produce chance differences in behavior across the levels of the independent variable. B. Seek to produce uncontrolled changes in the value of the dependent variable. C. Hold extraneous variables constant. D. Avoid randomizing the effects of extraneous variables across treatments.

C.

In the context of manipulation of variables, identify a reason for using correlational design over an experimental one. A. In a correlational design, variables can be altered to determine their effects on other variables. B. In a correlational design, it is easy to avoid seeing how naturally occurring variables relate in the real world. C. In a correlational design, manipulating the variables of interest may be impossible or unethical. D. In a correlational design, the researcher has more control over extraneous variables.

C.

Randomizing the effects of extraneous variables across treatments deals with the effects of extraneous variables that _____. A. affect the experimenter's bias B. affect the behavior of the participants C. cannot be held constant D. cannot be varied

C.

The experimental approach to research has the ability to identify and describe causal relationships, whereas the correlational approach _____. A. helps identify whether changes in an independent variable actually caused changes in a dependent variable B. does not imply that changes in the value of one variable tend to accompany changes in the value of a second variable C. does not share this ability D. focuses on the outcome of the experiment

C.

The possibility that correlational relationships may result from the action of an unobserved variable is called the _____. A. dependent variable problem B. internal validation of variables C. third-variable problem D. naturally occurring variable problem

C.

When changes in one variable tend to be accompanied by specific changes in another, the two variables are said to _____. A. coexist B. remain unaffected C. covary D. be causative

C.

An independent variable may be manipulated by exposing a different group of participants to each treatment or by exposing each participant to all the treatments in sequence, depending on the _____. A. number of variables B. number of the subjects C. review of the study D. design of the experiment

D.

How is experimental research different from correlational research? It does not place tight control over extraneous factors required to clearly reveal the effects of the independent variable. It can merely conclude that a relationship exists between two observed variables. It can only inform that changes in the value of one variable tend to accompany changes in the value of a second variable. It can tell whether changes in the independent variable actually caused changes in the other.

D.

Identify a consequence of the uncontrolled variability of extraneous variables in experimental research. A. It may fail to randomize the effects of independent variables across treatments. B. It may prevent chance differences in behavior across the levels of the independent variable. C. It may make the independent variable not produce any effects when it actually did. D. It may make it impossible to detect any effects of the independent variable.

D.

Identify the strength of the experimental approach to research. A. Ability to not place tight control over extraneous factors B. Ability to use it even if the hypothesized causal variables cannot be manipulated C. Ease of application of findings to situations that differ from the experiment D. Ability to identify and describe causal relationships

D.

Research that incorporates a high degree of control over the variables of the study is known as _____. mutual relational research correlational research nonobservational research experimental research

D.

Research that primarily involves observing the values of two or more variables and determining what relationships exist between them is known as _____. A. experimental research B. causal research C. quasi research D. correlational research

D.

The directionality problem between two observed variables in a relationship illustrates that it is hazardous to draw _____. A. general inferences from hypothetical data B. generic assumptions from specific data C. factual assumptions from nonscientific data D. causal inferences from correlational data

D.

To resolve the third-variable problem, a researcher must _____. enable observed variables to vary together even though no direct relationship exists between them strongly correlate existing observed variables even though neither variable causes changes in the other use techniques to influence both of the observed variables examine the effects of each potential third variable to determine whether it accounts for the observed relationship

D.

Variables that may affect the behavior that a researcher wishes to investigate but are not of interest for the present experiment are known as _____. measured variables dependent variables core variables extraneous variables

D.

Which of the following is typically the first activity in conducting scientific studies? A. Hypothesis testing B. Empirical experimentation and data validation C. Frequency distribution D. Exploratory data collection and analysis

D.

Your most challenging concepts: Recall the features of exploratory data collection and analysis in the context of scientific research. Recall that the variable whose value is observed and measured in experimental designs is called the dependent variable. Recall the method of holding extraneous variables constant in order to control the effects of extraneous variables. BackRecharge

Recall the features of exploratory data collection and analysis in the context of scientific research. Recall that the variable whose value is observed and measured in experimental designs is called the dependent variable. Recall the method of holding extraneous variables constant in order to control the effects of extraneous variables.

The variable whose value a researcher observes and measures in experimental designs is known as the ____ ____.

dependent variable

In the context of scientific studies, ____ ____ is considered a major activity of scientific research that consists of forming tentative explanations for behaviors in a given research area and then testing those tentative explanations.

hypothesis testing

A variable whose values are chosen and set by the experimenter is known as a(n) ____ ____.

independent variable