Research Methods in Psychology Chapter 5 Smart Book
Identify the strength of the experimental approach to research.
Ability to identify and describe causal relationships
The variable whose value a researcher observes and measures in experimental designs is known as the __ __
Blank 1: dependent Blank 2: variable
An experiment conducted in the participant's natural environment is known as a(n) __ __.
Blank 1: field Blank 2: experiment
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.
Blank 1: hypothesis Blank 2: testing
A variable whose values are chosen and set by the experimenter is known as a(n) __ __
Blank 1: independent Blank 2: variable
The correlational approach
It can tell only that changes in the value of one variable tend to accompany changes in the value of a second variable.
The experimental approach
It can tell whether changes in one variable (the independent variable) actually caused changes in the other (the dependent variable).
How is experimental research different from correlational research
It can tell whether changes in the independent variable actually caused changes in the other.
Identify a limitation of the experimental approach to research
It cannot be used if a researcher cannot manipulate his or her hypothesized causal variables.
Identify a way to deal with the effects of extraneous variables that cannot be held constant
Randomize their effects across treatments.
Levels
The set values of an independent variable in an experimental design
Predictor variable
The variable that is used to predict
In a field experiment, a researcher cannot manipulate independent variables.
This is false. In a field experiment, a researcher can manipulate independent variables and measure a dependent variable.
True or false: There are no techniques to evaluate and statistically control the effects of third variables.
This is false. Techniques to evaluate and statistically control the effects of third variables are available.
Internal validity in an experiment
Variation in the independent variable, and only the independent variable, caused the observed variation in the dependent variable.
When do rival hypotheses emerge in an experimental research study
When extraneous variables can provide alternative explanations for the findings of a study
In statistical regression, when measured again, scores will tend to be closer to the _____ in the population.
average
The value of a dependent variable in an experimental design depends on the
behavior of the participants
Randomizing the effects of extraneous variables across treatments deals with the effects of extraneous variables that
cannot be held constant
Unidirectional and bidirectional are types of _____ relationships.
causal
The directionality problem between two observed variables in a relationship illustrates that it is hazardous to draw
causal inferences from correlational data
When changes in one variable tend to be accompanied by specific changes in another, the two variables are said to
covary
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)
demonstration
A research study exposes three groups to a particular condition. One group decides to leave the study as the participants found the conditions too difficult. This is an example of
experimental mortality
The differential loss of participants from groups in a study is referred to as
experimental mortality
According to Campbell and Stanley, in _____, confounding may be introduced by unobserved changes in criteria used by observers or in instrument calibration.
instrumentation
The ability of a research design to adequately test the hypotheses developed is known as its
internal validity
A researcher can gain important control over the variables that could affect the results of the study if he or she chooses a _____ setting.
laboratory
In external validity, all studies should be conducted in such a way that the findings can be generalized immediately to
larger populations real-world situations
In basic research settings that seek theoretical reasons to determine what will happen under conditions not usually found in natural settings, external validity may be
less relevant
The value of an independent variable in an experimental design is independent of the
participant's behavior
One important advantage of field experiment is that the results easily can be generalized to the real world; however, a disadvantage is that a researcher has little control over
potential confounding variables
If a researcher is concerned with the ability to generalize his or her results, as well as with controlling extraneous variables, he or she should consider using a
simulation
According to Campbell and Stanley, history may confound studies because
specific events may occur between observations that affect the results
Identify a true statement about confounding of variables
It does not necessarily present a serious threat to internal validity.
How are control groups different from experimental groups
It is not exposed to experimental treatment.
Identify a true statement about data obtained from highly controlled laboratory settings.
It may not generalize to more naturalistic situations in which behavior occurs.
True or false: Unlike an experimental design, in a correlational design variables are manipulated to determine their effects on other variables.
This is false. In an experimental design, variables are manipulated to determine their effects on other variables.
Identify a situation in which a correlational research design is chosen over an experimental design.
To see how naturally occurring variables relate in the real world
A relationship in which one variable directly or indirectly influences another is known as a _____.
causal relationship
Whenever two or more variables combine in such a way that their effects cannot be separated, a/an _____ of those variables has occurred.
confounding
Research that incorporates a high degree of control over the variables of the study is known as
experimental research
In all laboratory settings, complete control over _____ may not be possible.
extraneous variables
One of the advantages of a field experiment is _____, whereas one disadvantage is _____.
high external validity; low internal validity
According to Campbell and Stanley, history tends to confound studies through
multiple observations that are taken over time
A true experiment requires exposing subjects to at least two treatments, whereas a demonstration exposes a group of subjects to
one and only one treatment condition
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
random assignment
In a simulation, a researcher attempts to re-create a(n) _____ situation in the laboratory.
real-world
A researcher may be more concerned with external validity than internal validity if he or she is more concerned with applying the results to a(n) _____.
real-world problem
When participants in experimental research have been selected based on extreme scores on some measure, internal validity is threatened by
statistical regression
When a pretest sensitizes participants to what a researcher is investigating in the study, _____ occurs.
testing
A researcher is more concerned with internal than external validity if he or she is interested in testing a(n)
theoretical position
A researcher should carefully plan which variables will be manipulated or observed, identify any plausible rival hypotheses, and redesign so as to eliminate those that
threaten internal validity
Experimental group
treatment The group receiving treatment
To establish a causal relationship between two variables, one must be able to demonstrate that
variation in one of the observed variables could only be due to the influence of the other observed variable
As opposed to a true experiment, a demonstration simply shows
what happens under a specified set of conditions
A relationship in which changes in one variable accompany changes in another is known as a(n) _____.
correlational relationship
Research that primarily involves observing the values of two or more variables and determining what relationships exist between them is known as
correlational research
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) _____.
demonstration
Biased selection of subjects threatens internal validity because subjects may differ initially in ways that affect their scores on the
dependent measure
The time to be concerned with internal validity is during the _____ phase of the study.
design
A causal relationship between levels of aggression and the amount of exposure to violent video games leads one to conclude that students become more aggressive from playing violent video games. It is also possible to conclude that finding gratification in aggressive behavior leads to a preference for playing violent video games. This exemplifies the problem of
directionality
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
directionality problem
The degree of external validity of a study becomes more relevant when the findings are expected to be applied
directly to real-world settings
Extraneous variables cannot cause uncontrolled variation in a researcher's dependent variable if these variables
do not vary over the course of the experiment
The experimental approach to research has the ability to identify and describe causal relationships, whereas the correlational approach
does not share this ability
In unidirectional relationships, the first variable can influence the second but not vice versa; however, in bidirectional relationships
each variable influences the other
To resolve the third-variable problem, a researcher must
examine the effects of each potential third variable to determine whether it accounts for the observed relationship
In order to manipulate an independent variable in an experimental research design, a researcher must
expose research participants to at least two levels of that variable
The degree to which the results of a study can be extended or generalized beyond the limited research setting and sample in which they were obtained is known as
external validity
Variables that may affect the behavior that a researcher wishes to investigate but are not of interest for the present experiment are known as
extraneous variables
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
One of the factors that affects external validity is using
highly controlled laboratory settings
In the context of the seven general sources of confounding that may affect internal validity, the effect of age or fatigue is referred to as
maturation
Performance on a proofreading task is assessed before and after some experimental manipulation. Decreased performance on the second proofreading assessment due to factors of age and fatigue indicates that _____ is the factor that is influencing internal validity.
maturation
In unfair selection of subjects, any influence of the independent variable on scores cannot be separated from the effect of the
preexisting bias
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
produced effects when it did not
When a pretest sensitizes participants to what a researcher is investigating in the study, they may
respond differently on a post treatment measure
According to Huck and Sandler, if extraneous variables can provide alternative explanations for the findings of a study, it is known as
rival hypotheses
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 possibility that correlational relationships may result from the action of an unobserved variable is called the
third-variable problem
In instrumentation, confounding may be introduced by _____ changes.
unobserved
An accurate statement about hypothesis testing is that it _____.
usually begins after one has collected enough information about behaviors in a given research area to begin developing supportable explanations
Criterion variable
variable whose value is being predicted
Identify a way to control the effects of extraneous variables
Hold extraneous variables constant.
Reactive testing
Occurs when a pretest affects participants' reaction to an experimental variable, making those participants' responses unrepresentative of the general population
Multiple treatment interference
Occurs when participants are exposed to multiple experimental treatments in which exposure to early treatments affects responses to later treatments
Reactive effects of experimental arrangements
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
Internal validity in a correlational study
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.
Identify two defining features of experimental research
Control over extraneous variables Manipulation of one or more independent variables
Interactions between participant selection biases and the independent variable
Effects observed may apply only to the participants included in the study, especially if they are unique to a group
Identify a true statement about extraneous variables in experimental research
Experimental research has a defining characteristic of control over extraneous variables.
Which of the following is typically the first activity in conducting scientific studies
Exploratory data collection and analysis
In which stage of a research project is the correlational research approach's ability to identify potential causal relationships useful
Exploratory data collection stage
In the context of manipulation of variables, identify a reason for using correlational design over an experimental one
In a correlational design, manipulating the variables of interest may be impossible or unethical.
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.
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 influence both of the observed variables.
Identify a consequence of the uncontrolled variability of extraneous variables in experimental research.
It may make it impossible to detect any effects of the independent variable.
Identify a true statement about data obtained from highly controlled laboratory settings
It may not generalize to more naturalistic situations in which behavior occurs.
Identify a feature of a demonstration
It resembles an experiment but lacks an independent variable.
Identify the two obstacles that stand in the way of drawing clear causal inferences from correlational data
The directionality problem The third-variable problem
Control group
The group that is subject to no treatment
Treatments
The specific conditions associated with each set of values of an independent variable
True or false: According to Campbell and Stanley (1963), reactive testing, which affects external validity, occurs when participants are exposed to multiple experimental treatments in which exposure to early treatments affects responses to later treatments.
This is false. According to Campbell and Stanley (1963), reactive testing, which affects external validity, occurs when a pretest affects participants' reaction to an experimental variable, making those participants' responses unrepresentative of the general population.
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.
This is true. A correlational relationship between two variables makes it possible to predict from the value of one variable the probable value of the other variable.
Identify the goals of exploratory data collection and analysis in the context of scientific research
To classify behaviors in a given research area To identify the variables involved in explaining the behavior of interest
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
Research in which a researcher makes no attempt to manipulate variables but observes them "as is" is known as
correctional
In order to see how naturally occurring variables relate in the real world, a(n) _____ research design is preferred.
correlational