Ch 2: the measure of mind

Pallavi wants to study the relationship between wearing a seat belt and the extent of injuries in automotive accidents. When should she generate the hypothesis she will be typing to prove?

After she has understood the theoretical foundations in the field

Which descriptive research method can be used to generate an in-depth analysis of the behavior of one person, or a small number of people?

Case study

Which of the following refers to the rights of study participants to have their data revealed to others only with permission?

Confidentiality

Paul is an avid cyclist, and believes that bike riding is the single best form of exercise a person can do. To prove this, Paul comments on the health and physical fitness of the members of his cycling club, and points out people at the gym who are overweight or out of shape. Which of the following is Paul using to prove his point?

Confirmation bias

Janelle is conducting an experiment to test her hypothesis. However, she is concerned that some variables are distorting her conclusions, even though those variables are irrelevant to the hypothesis. Which of the following describes those irrelevant variables?

Confounding

Which of the following measures the direction and strength of the relationship between two factors that have differing values?

Correlations

JillAnne is taking a class in behavioral science, and is routinely asking herself what evidence there is to support concepts. She wonders about other ways to interpret evidence and how to evaluate alternatives. Which of the following is JillAnne using?

Critical thinking

Which of the following is the ability to think clearly, rationally, and independently?

Critical thinking

When attempting to assess the normal behaviors associated with age, which form of research would represent varying ages?

Cross-sectional

James wants to use surveys and naturalistic observation to start his research project for class. Which of the following types of research methods is James using?

Descriptive

Which of the following can be used to organize large volumes of data into meaningful patterns and summaries?

Descriptive statistics

Which of the following is considered to be the most effective tool for drawing causal conclusions about research questions?

Formal experiments

Ramon studied the statistical results of his research, and made conclusions about people outside of his research sample, based on his data. Which of the following did Ramon use when he applied his results to a larger population?

Generalizations

Which of the following is a type of inference, or educated guess, and links concrete variables based on your theory to make specific predictions?

Hypothesis

When conducting an experiment, which of the following is the term used to define the variable that is controlled and manipulated by the experimenter?

Independent variable

What do researchers provide participants to explain the purpose of the study and the types of procedures that will be used?

Informed consent forms

Which of the following is the numerical average of a set of scores, determined by adding all scores together and dividing by the number of scores?

Mean

Marco wants to perform a statistical analysis on several previous experiments on distracted driving. Which of the following should Marco use to gain a clearer picture of data?

Meta-analysis

Which of the following would allow us to observe a larger group of people in their typical, everyday circumstances, instead of an artificial setting such as a laboratory?

Naturalistic observation

Which of the following can undermine our ability to think critically and accurately?

Normal cognitive processes

When using inferential statistics, what is the default position on the difference between two measurements?

Null hypothesis

Which of the following describes the process of translating abstract independent and dependent variables into a measurable form?

Operationalization

Which of the following is a limitation in the experimental method?

Participants might change their behavior because they know they are in an experiment.

After developing a hypothesis, scientists collect data needed to evaluate it. Which of the following is a body of research that has been scrutinized by other scientists who are experts in the same area?

Peer-reviewed

Petra finds that high levels in one of her variables are strongly associated with high levels in the other. Which of the following is occurring between Petra's two variables?

Positive correlation

In addition to explaining and organizing known facts, theories generate new _____.

Predictions

While conducting his meta-analysis of information, Marco found that some information found in research did not accurately represent the work done on distracted driving. Which of the following explains the possibility that the publication is not representative of all works on a particular problem?

Publication bias

When considering a new hypothesis, which of the following should be the goal of scientists?

Reinforce the hypothesis

Which of the following refers to how consistent a measurement is?

Reliability

Which of the following is a sign that you are not thinking critically?

Relying on gut feelings and instinct

Which of the following occurs in the attempt by other scientists to independently reproduce the same results of a study?

Replication

Which of the following can be described as a way to learn about reality by systematic observation and experimentation?

Science

How does science differ from common sense observation?

Science relies on objectivity rather than subjectivity.

Which of the following best describes one of the differences between science and everyday observation?

Science relies on observable and repeatable evidence.

Which of the following helps us decide whether a null hypothesis should be rejected?

Significance testing

Karen is developing a new test of creativity, and she would like to know how tightly clustered the scores are around the mean. Which of the following should she use to answer this question?

Standard deviation

Because researchers and scientists rarely repeat studies, which of the following can help evaluate the significance of a single test sample?

Statistical significance

Which of the following can be described as sets of facts and the relationship between facts that can be used to explain and predict phenomena?

Theories

Avin was reviewing a scatterplot and noticed several negative coefficients on the scatterplot. Which of the following does that tell Avin about the correlation coefficients?

There is a negative correlation.

Which of the following best describes how we learn about science, including psychological science?

Through a process

Which of the following is an important use of observation in science?

To make systemic rather than hit-or-miss observations

Rudy has been conducting a series of experiments. He has found that his measurements are accurately evaluating the concepts that they were designed to do, even though the results vary each time. Which of the following is evident in Rudy's measurements?

Validity

Which of the following is at the core of ethical standards for human research?

Voluntary participation

Ensuring that information is kept private and confidential, and participants are informed of the research, helps to ensure the research is _____.

ethical

George does not form any conclusions unless he has facts to support them, and he works hard to make sure his conclusions are not based on his personal biases. George works to form conclusions _____.

objectively