Psych 304
Which of these could be Pearson's r for the correlation between preschool ability to delay gratification on the marshmallow test and SAT score? -1.0 -.03 .3 3.0
.3
In a taste test comparing popcorn brands A, B, C and D, the experimenter decides to use complete counterbalancing. Assuming that one subject will be tested in each of the sequences used, how many people will be needed to complete the study?
24
Observer A and Observer B recorded swear words uttered by Patient 4, a child diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, in successive 5-minute epochs. These are the data: Observer A: 15929834 Observer B:15929814 Calculate percent correct.
87.5% (apparently 80%)
Which of the following is true about participant observation? A. the participant observers can influence the behavior of the group B. unlike naturalistic observation, experimenter bias is unlikely to play a role C. researchers usually become emotionally involved and fail to record behavior objectively D. the method won't produce data that can be analyzed statistically
A
which of the following is true about falsified data? a. it might go undetected if it is consistent with results from other labs b. almost all research involves replication, so falsified data is easy to spot c. creating all the data for a study is obviously fraudulent, but making up one or two data points is normal practice d. fraudulent data is easily spotted because it produces results that dont make sense
A
Which of the following is a benefit to using open-ended questions? A. People are more likely to respond in detail. B. You can obtain more accurate data. C. They lend themselves readily to statistical analysis. D. All of these.
A (not B)
Dr. No studies flirting by observing teenagers at the mall. She concludes that flirting happens with strangers more often than it happens with friends. Dr. Yes evaluates these findings by observing the same set of behaviors with an adult sample at a local bar. Which of the following best describes Dr. Yes' research?
A conceptual replication of an earlier study.
Which of the following is an example of naturalistic observation? A. Ginsburg and Miller (1982) recorded the number of boys and girls engaging in these "risky" behaviors and found that boys engaged in risk-taking behaviors more frequently than girls. B. Festinger and colleagues (1956) observed the behavior of members of an apocalyptic cult by joining the cult. C. Peterson and colleagues (1984) engineered opportunities to observe helping behavior in children by providing them with a magic cape. D. All of the above examples of naturalistic observation.
A. (B is participant observation and C is structured)
Which of the following is a between-groups experiment? A. Participants are approached by a pretty girl in a safe location or on top of a tall bridge. Researchers track how many participants later contact the girl. B. Rats are each exposed to several different doses of a new drug, then their memory is tested. C. Researchers test the vocabulary of Chaser, the amazing border collie. D. Reaction times from congruent, incongruent and neutral-stimulus conditions are compared.
A. Participants are approached by a pretty girl in a safe location or on top of a tall bridge. Researchers track how many participants later contact the girl.
The most recent APA code (2002) includes 5 general principles and 89 standards. The general principles are 'aspirational goals.' Which of the following is an example of an aspirational goal? A. concern for the rights and dignity of others B. ethnic quotas for admission to graduate school in psychology C. blind review of research articles (reviewer doesn't know name of article's author) D. the obligation for psychologists to provide some of their services free of charge
A. concern for the rights and dignity of others
In Stroop's most famous experiment, a comparison was made between naming color patches and naming colors when they were printed with color-mismatched names. What was true about his design? A. he used a reverse counterbalancing procedure B. participants were assigned to the two conditions via random assignment C. participants were matched to groups on the basis of their reading skills D. it was a multilevel, repeated-measures design
A. he used a reverse counterbalancing procedure
What is one way to tell if a journal is peer reviewed? A. Look up the journal in PubMed. B. Look up the journal in Google. C. If you've heard the journal mentioned before it is probably okay to use. D. None of the above.
A. look up the journal in pubmed
Quasi-experimental designs may include any of the following except A. random assignment B. independent variables C. subject variables D. nonequivalent groups
A. random assignment
An APA style list of references is ordered by:
Alphabetical by first author's last name
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: What can we do to prevent TBI or minimize negative outcomes when it happens?
Application
In a matched group design participants...
Are matched with a subject in another group on a certain characteristic
e.g., astrology, the use of celestial bodies to make predictions about human behaviors is a ______ unable/able to be falsified and which presents itself as founded in astronomy a ______ _______ discipline
Astrology is a pseudoscience unable to be falsified, whereas astronomy is a legitimate scientific discipline
Anytime you include information from a source, you must provide _______ and ______ in the body of the text.
Authors' last name; publication year
In the scientific peer-review process, a reviewer should comment on all of the following EXCEPT A. whether the content fits within the scope of the journal B. The quality of the university where the authors conducted the study C. Potential flaws with the study design D. What the manuscript adds to what experts already knew about the topic?
B
Which of these is a primary source? A. Article in Time magazine about the latest cancer research B. A graduate student's dissertation on canine cognition C. Newspaper article about social psychology research D. None of the above.
B
Which of these sets of correlation coefficients is ordered from weakest to strongest? A. -.30, .10, .40, .70 B. .07, -.24, .56, -.78 C. .82, -.76, .35, -.04 D. -.87, -.63, .13, .42
B
which is NOT an example of deception (from the perspective of an Institutional Review Board)? A. having a confederate pose as another participant in the study B. including manipulation checks in a survey C. neglecting to inform participants that they are being videotaped D. not telling participants whether they received medication or a placebo
B
Which of the following is most clearly phrased as an empirical research question? A. Is it acceptable to shock another person if an authority figure tells you to do so? B. At what voltage do people instructed to shock others defy authority? C. Should psychologists study obedience by asking participants to shock confederates? D. All of the above are equally clear empirical research questions
B. At what voltage do people instructed to instructed to shock others defy authority?
Which of the following IS considered human-subjects research? A. Recording the color of people's sneakers in a public park B. Determining how caffeine intake affects the patellar reflex in the knee C. Interviewing fellow students in an abnormal psychology course, then writing a case report for the class D. Completing a computerized psychological task for a research methods course, then analyzing data from everyone in the class
B. Determining how caffeine intake affects the patellar reflex in the knee collecting data on classmates for a class activity or from anonymous people in a public arena are NOT considered human-subjects research
Which is most likely to be a correlational study rather than an experiment? A. Does drinking 800 mL of water before each meal decrease insomnia? B. Do people who drink more water sleep better than people who drink less water? C. Does restricting rats' access to water change their sleep patterns? D. Which decreases insomnia most: drinking water, bathing or drinking milk before bed?
B. Do people who drink more water sleep better than people who drink less water?
Which of the following titles of an academic paper best reflects the notion that science is democratic? A. Statistics: They NEVER Lie! B. Look at These Data and Form Your Own Opinion C. The Myth that Publications Lead to Academic Job Stability D. Ethics: Who Needs the American Psychological Association? E. To Experiment or Not Experiment, that is the Question.
B. Look at these data and form your own opinion
Which is a double-barreled Likert-scale survey item? A. At times I wish I were still single. B. On the whole I am satisfied with my marriage and my spouse C. I feel that my spouse and I make a good team D. I look forward to seeing my spouse after we spend time apart
B. On the whole I am satisfied with my marriage and my spouse
Which of the following is a method for reducing observer bias? A. Using several operational definitions for your target behavior B. Training observers on operational definitions C. Discussing observations after data collection an modifying any observations that differ between observers D. Only using one observer rather than two
B. Training observers on operational definitions
Which of the following is not an important factor when determining that X is causing Y to occur? A. X and Y covary B. X and Y should occur simultaneously C. alternative explanations for Y can be ruled out D. variation in X produces predictable variation in Y
B. X and Y should occur simultaneously
Which of the following is a reason that indirect measures of behavior can be risky? A. You are as unobtrusive as possible B. You must make some assumptions regarding behaviors and effects C. You may unintentionally influence the subjects D. None of these
B. You must make some assumptions regarding behaviors and effects
Which is a type of nonprobability sampling? A. Cluster sampling B. Convenience sampling C. Simple random sampling D. Stratified sampling
B. convenience sampling
The goal of naturalistic observation is to A. get as close as possible to the action by becoming involved with the group you are observing. B. eliminate the possibility of participant reactivity by only observing the presumed after-effects of behavior rather than the behavior itself. C. observe without altering the behavior you are observing. D. take a focused look at selective social phenomena.
B. eliminate the possibility of participant reactivity by only observing the presumed after-effects of behavior rather than the behavior itself. (not C)
Based on the readings, if you never get involved in research, why is taking a research methods or critical thinking course valuable? A. you learn how to use stats B. improves your ability to be a critical consumer of info C. Improves your ability to be an organized thinker D. none of these were noted
B. improves your ability to be a critical consumer of info
Which of the following is not part of the APA's ethics code for humans? A. those who are at least at minimal risk must give their informed consent B. people may or may not decide to participate, but once they start a study, they are obliged to finish it C. participants must be thoroughly debriefed at the end of a study D. participants must be assured of confidentiality
B. people may or may not decide to participate, but once they start a study, they are obliged to finish it
Which of the following would be most likely to produce a negative correlation? A. the relationship between college grades and parents' IQ B. the relationship between college grades and total TV watching time C. the relationship between college grades and high school grades D. the relationship between college grades and time spent in library
B. the relationship between college grades and total TV watching time
scientific thinking by psychologists is characterized by all of the following except: A. they realize that conclusions are tentative and could change depending on future research B. they are most interested in subjective, personal experiences like dreams C. they expect claims to be supported by data collected in a systematic fashion D. they assume that behavior has causes that can be discovered using scientific methods
B. they are most interested in subjective, personal experiences like dreams
Research in psychology is characterized by all of the following except A. most research is a logical "what's next?" consequence of a study just completed B. to avoid getting off to a bad start, most research is highly structured in its early stages C. research is more likely to be completed by research teams than individual researchers D. at the start of a research project, researchers often conduct loosely structured pilot studies
B. to avoid getting off to a bad start, most research is highly structured in its early stages
According to the APA ethics code, A. there are no restrictions on observational research B. naturalistic observation is OK, but participant observation has been deemed unethical C. informed consent is not needed for unobtrusive observations in public environments D. in naturalistic observation, debriefing is only considered important in animal studies
C
In general, pseudoscientific theories A. take fairly simple behavioral phenomena and overly complicate them B. recognize the weakness of relying on anecdotal evidence C. sidestep disproof by describing their studies in vague terms D. reject the idea that their theories should be tested by collecting empirical data
C
Which of the following is an example of an unobtrusive method of behavioral observation? A. Conducting a structured interview B. Sitting in on a therapy session and recording subject behavior C. Observing subjects through a one-way mirror D. Asking subjects to fill out an anonymous survey
C
Which of the following is a peer-reviewed source of evidence? A. Your psychology professor's endorsement of a study. B. A research article in Psychology Today. C. A research article in the American Journal of Psychology. D. An Op-Ed piece in the New York Times.
C. A research article in the American Journal of Psychology
Which of the following questions may be susceptible to social-desirability bias? A. Have you ever been to the opera? B. Have you ever seen a scary movie? C. Have you ever used illicit drugs? D. How many times have you experienced insomnia?
C. Have you ever used illicit drugs?
Which of the following is NOT an example of a helpful question to guide you in outlining your paper? A. In what order does it make most sense to say them? B. What are the most important things I want to say? C. How can I use more words to meet the word count? D. Which evidence best supports these points?
C. How can I use more words to meet the word count?
Which is an example of an open-ended survey item? A. Is this an open-ended question? B. Is this a closed question? C. How is a closed question different from an open question? D. Is this a poor multiple choice question?
C. How is a closed question different from an open question?
Which is not a guideline for creating effective survey items? A. Avoid double-barreled questions. B. Avoid loaded questions. C. Make items as long and specific as possible D. Use simple words that a broad audience can understand
C. Make items as long and specific as possible
What is the purpose of peer review? A. To check for grammatical errors B. To improve the readability of a manuscript C. To evaluate the scientific rigor of a manuscript D. All of the above.
C. To evaluate the scientific rigor of a manuscript
In a between-subjects design, the differences between conditions could be due to all of the following except A. some confounding factor B. random error C. a carry-over effect D. the effect of the independent variable
C. a carry-over effect
Research participants can expect to find several pieces of information in an informed consent form. Which of the following is not likely to be found? A. a statement of the possible risks for participating B. a mechanism for contacting the researcher after the participation is over C. a statement of the study's true purpose and hypothesis D. an assurance of confidentiality
C. a statement of the study's true purpose and hypothesis
The problem of directionality in correlational research: A. is when it's not possible to determine whether A caused B or B caused A B. occurs because there are no manipulated independent variables C. All of the above D. none of the above
C. all of the above
A researcher is measuring aggression. Which of the following is most clearly inadequate as an operational definition of the term? A. choosing a button which makes it difficult for another subject to complete a task B. honking one's horn at an intersection for a period of more than two seconds C. attempting to harm someone D. delivering electric shocks to a competitor
C. attempting to harm someone
Operational definitions A. are seldom needed because of modern advances in behavioral technology B. are needed to force researchers in different laboratories to all use the exact same definition of a construct C. force researchers to be clear about defining the terms of their studies D. differ from one study to another, which means that using operational definitions hinders the replication process
C. force researchers to be clear about defining the terms of their studies
In a negative correlation, A. high scores on one variable are accompanied by high scores on the second variable B. low scores on one variable are accompanied by low scores on the second variable C. high scores on one variable are accompanied by low scores on the second variable D. both alternatives a. and b.
C. high scores on one variable are accompanied by low scores on the second variable
In a within-subjects design, the differences between experimental conditions could be due to all of the following except A. some confounding factor B. random error C. individual differences D. the effect of the independent variable
C. individual differences
Identify the most likely third variable to account for a correlation between dental visit frequency and life expectancy (i.e., the more often someone visits the dentist, the longer they live). A. Average time spent playing video games per year. B. Frequency of flossing C. Socioeconomic status D. Visual acuity
C. socioeconomic status
Part of the problem with horoscopes, scientifically speaking, is that ______. A. They fail the simplicity test of scientific theories B. The potential sample of observations is too small C. They are so vague, they cannot be falsified. D. Karl Popper didn't like them
C. they are so vague, they cannot be falsified
What does it mean if a replication study does not support the findings of the original study? A. the original research finding was not scientifically sound B. the original study procedures were not documented in enough detail to allow for replication C. the investigators replicating the study did not follow the original study procedures closely enough D. all are possible
D
Which of the following is an example of an empirical question that could be tested using systematic observation? A. Is Japanese a prettier language than German? B. What is the meaning of life? C. Are humans inherently good or bad? D. Do native English-speaking Canadians take longer to learn Chinese or to learn Spanish?
D
Which of the following is the best definition of inductive reasoning? A. Revising a conclusion after receiving several rounds of feedback B. Arriving at a conclusion based on the average of many observations C. Drawing a conclusion about a specific observation based on general principles D. Drawing a conclusion from an observation of a limited number of samples
D
learning about research methodology and critical thinking is important for: A. Evaluating standards of care in social or healthcare services B. evaluating info from various sources C. learning to make decisions based on evidence D. all are correct
D
Which of the following is not a goal of academic writing? To prove that you... A. Understand what is expected of you B. Have researched and understood the necessary materials C. Can structure a reasonable response D. Are clever
D. Are clever
Which of the following is NOT considered human-subjects research?A. An online survey about eating habits B. Comparing standard therapies for depression with an experimental new treatment C. Measuring men's and women's heart rate variability during math tests D. Comparing prion levels in lung tissue obtained from cadavers of smokers and non-smokers
D. Comparing prion levels in lung tissue obtained from cadavers of smokers and non-smokers
Which of these is not an empirical research question? A. Are men more susceptible to inattentional blindness than women? B.Can training reduce inattentional blindness? C.Should tests of inattentional blindness be part of driver licensing? D. All of the above
D. Should tests of inattentional blindness be part of driver licensing?
Which of the following should be avoided when writing survey questions? A. Double negatives. B. Complex wording. C. Leading questions. D. All of these.
D. all of these
Five golfers each hit 50 brand A golf balls, and then 50 brand B golf balls. On average, the brand B balls go significantly farther. Which of the following is true? A. a warm-up effect B. a wind change C. brand B is better D. any of the above are possible explanations
D. any of the above are possible explanations
In within-subjects designs, A. each subject enters the study naive with respect to the procedures to be used B. large numbers of participants usually need to be recruited C. block randomization can be used as a way for forming equivalent groups D. block randomization can be used as a method of counterbalancing
D. block randomization can be used as a method of counterbalancing
Select the ratio-scale measure. A. temperature in fahrenheight B. position on capital punishement (1 = support, 2 = oppose) C. religious affiliation D. lamb consumed in the last year, in pounds
D. lamb consumed in the last year, in pounds
Convenience sampling A. can only be used in internet surveys B. is the best way to ensure that your sample is representative of the population C. requires prior knowledge of every individual member of the population D. none of the above apply to convenience sampling.
D. none of the above apply
Which is not true concerning research with prisoners? A. at least one member of the Institutional Review Board must be a prisoner B. the research should directly benefit prisoners specifically C. participants must be informed that participating or withdrawing participation will not affect parole decisions D. the research protocol must receive expedited review by the IRB
D. the research protocol must receive expedited review by the IRB
All of the following are true of theories except A. they organize existing data B. an attribute of a good theory is that it is high on "productivity" C. provide the basis for making predictions that can be tested empirically D. they are temporary; if they are proven true they become facts
D. they are temporary; if they are proven true they become facts
an IRB could classify a research protocol as all of the following EXCEPT A. Exempt from review B. eligible for expedited review C. full review D. unnecessary
D. unnecessary
Which of the following is NOT always a credible source: A. A peer reviewed article B. Encyclopedia Britannica C. Websites ending in .gov D. Websites ending in .org
D. websites ending in .org
Identify the dependent variable in this experiment: In a study investigating whether higher temperatures increase discomfort, subjects are exposed to a mild shock several times. After each shock, the participant rates his or her wellbeing using the Wong pain scale. Then, the temperature of the room is either increased or decreased. A. mild shock delivery B. room temperature C. wellbeing D. Wong pain scale
D. wong pain scale
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: What is the lifetime prevalence of TBI? In other words, how many people (what percent of the U.S. population) experience a TBI at some point in their lives?
Description
According to the APA Code, which of the following conditions must be met for researchers to be exempt from obtaining informed consent or debriefing participants? A. Confidentiality is maintained B. Anonymity is maintained C. Researchers do not interfere with the participants directly D. The environment is public E. All of these
E
In APA citation A. Is a reference to a published or unpublished source B. Is used to attribute work or ideas to the correct source C. Is shown in parentheses in the body of a paper D. Is down at the end of a paper in a list of references E. All of these.
E. All of these.
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: Why is it better to have a TBI when you are older than when you are younger?
Explanation
True or false? Placebos never have the intended effect
False
the groups that do for animal research what IRBs do for human research are called
Institutional Animal Review Boards
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: Are boys more likely to sustain TBI than girls?
Prediction
Why is it important to use random assignment when determining which research participants will comprise the different treatment groups in the study?
Random assignment balances out the differences that might naturally exist between participants.
In APA format, the list of references at the end of your paper is called a:
References page
What is the definition of replication?
Repeating research to determine whether findings are consistent across time and situations.
Why do psychologists bother with quasi-experiments, if even the strongest quasi-experimental designs have lower internal validity than true experiments?
Sometimes it is not feasible or ethical to conduct a true experiment
What would a researcher attempting to conduct an exact replication of a past study do?
The researcher would read the published article about the original research and use the same materials and procedures with new participants.
True or false? In order to make causal inferences using between-groups experiments, the level of the Independent variable must be the only factor distinguishing one group from the other.
True
True or false? Experimental designs are the only research designs that allow for causal inferences.
True!
In statistics, the error of rejecting the null hypothesis when it is true.
Type I error
In statistics, the error of failing to reject the null hypothesis when it is false.
Type II error
Falsifying data is considered to be ethically unacceptable within the field of psychology. Why?
When psychological researchers falsify data, they intentionally misinform the public and damage the reputation of the field of psychology.
Anxiety is not observed directly but is inferred from certain behaviors. That is, anxiety is an example of
a construct
The performance of participants in a within-subjects design sometimes deteriorates because of fatigue or boredom. This problem is known as
a progressive effect
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: What is the best way for health care professionals to determine when a child is ready to return to school following TBI?
application
Designed to solve practical, real-world problems (specific conclusions)
applied research
What does the action editor do in the scientific peer-review process?
assigns experts in the field as reviewers
If participants find themselves performing tasks like those encountered in ordinary daily living, then they are considered to be
at minimal risk
determines how behavioral systems work (generalizable)
basic research
The most recent APA code (2002) includes 5 general principles and 89 standards. One of the general principles obligates researchers to continually weight the profit and the cost of the research they complete. Which general principle is this?
beneficience and non-malificience
Creating equivalent groups is a design problem for
between-subjects designs
in research, the determination that one variable causes - is responsible for - an effect
casuality
related to whether we say one variable is causing changes in the other variable, versus other variables that may be related to these two variables
cause and effect
Jeremy reads that every astronaut who has ever stepped foot on the moon has been a vegetarian. He looks at his wife and says, "I wonder why being a vegetarian increases one's likelihood of going to the moon!" Jeremy has arrived at an (incorrect) __________ conclusion.
cause-and-effect
Observer bias can be reduced by using
clear operational definitions
What type of items are these? 1. "On average, how many cigarettes do you smoke per day (circle one)?" 0 1-5 6-10 >10 2. "On average, how many cigarettes do you smoke per day?" ______________ 3. I can quit smoking whenever I want" Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
closed open-ended likert
"On how many days in the last month did you have a headache?" is an example survey of a(n)
closed item
To study math achievement in West Virginia's third graders, a researcher randomly selects 5% of the state's school districts and gives all the students in each district a math test. What sampling procedure is being used here?
cluster
A probability sampling technique in which clusters of participants within the population of interest are selected at random, followed by data collection from all individuals in each cluster.
cluster sampling
an objective observation is one
completely free from any personal bias on the part of the observer
testing the hypothesis using new materials and procedures
conceptual replication
_______ replication is a scientific attempt to copy the scientific hypothesis used in an earlier study in an effort to determine whether the results will generalize to different samples, times, or situations. The same—or similar—results are an indication that the findings are _________
conceptual replication generalizable
An actor working with the researcher. Most often, this individual is used to deceive unsuspecting research participants. Also known as a "stooge."
confederate
An interval of plausible values for a population parameter; the interval of values within the margin of error of a statistic.
confidence interval
Factors that undermine the ability to draw causal inferences from an experiment.
confounds
Survey items that can be answered with a double negative response are problematic because they
confuse participants
A scientific theory has ______ when it agrees with other theories within and across disciplines.
consistency
The use of control groups has been criticized on ethical grounds because
control group participants could be missing an effective therapy
Measures the association between two variables, or how they go together.
correlation
in stats, the measure of relatedness of two or more variables
correlation
A Latin square is a method for
counterbalancing
The general procedure used to control for sequence effects is called
counterbalancing
When formulating the original APA code of ethics, the Hobbs committee used an empirical procedure called the __________ method.
critical incidents
Dr. Morabian is conducting research that was inspired by studies published 10 years before he got his doctorate. He reads those studies, thinks about how they can be improved, and designs research that will extend their findings. Dr. Morabian's work demonstrates that science is:
cumulative
A methodology where participants complete a questionnaire about their thoughts, feelings, and behavior of the day at the end of the day.
daily diary method
in research, information systemically collected for analysis and interpretation
data (observations)
A methodology where participants describe their experiences and behavior of a given day retrospectively upon a systematic reconstruction on the following day.
day reconstruction method (DRM)
A form of reasoning in which a given premise determines the interpretation of specific observations
deductive reasoning
Open discussions of psychological and scientific research represent which of the following essential elements of science?
democratic discussion
The variable the researcher measures but does not manipulate in an experiment.
dependent variable
criterion variable
dependent variable
The statement "Many students fear taking a research methods course" is an example of ________ behavior; the statement "The fear of taking a research methods course is caused by unfounded gossip" is an example of _________ behavior.
describing explaining
DSM-IV is a system for classifying mental disorders. As such, it most clearly illustrates which of psychology's goals?
description
The method of introspection was gradually replaced by more direct behavioral methods because
direct behavior methods are more objective
In statistics, the relative frequency that a particular value occurs for each possible value of a given variable.
distribution
the pattern of variation in data
distribution
In a single-blind experiment subjects ____ know which condition they are experiencing, and the experimenter _____ know.
do not; does
The Clever Hans study is an example of how experimenter bias can influence the results of a study. To control for experiment bias, a ______ study should be conducted.
double-blind
An overarching term to describe methodologies that repeatedly sample participants' real-world experiences, behavior, and physiology in real time.
ecological momentary assessment
The degree to which a study finding has been obtained under conditions that are typical for what happens in everyday life.
ecological validity
A methodology where participants wear a small, portable audio recorder that intermittently records snippets of ambient sounds around them.
electronically activated recorder (EAR)
Concerned with observation and/or the ability to verify a claim.
empirical
______ methods in psychological research are approaches to data-gathering that are tied to actual measurement and observation.
empirical
approaches to inquiry that are tied to actual measurement and observation
empirical observation
questions that can be answered through systemic observation and data collection are called
empirical questions
Experiment is to quasi-experiment as _____ is to _____.
equivalent groups; nonequivalent groups
professional guidelines that offer researchers a template for making decisions that protect research participants from potential harm and that help steer potential scientists away from conflicts of interest or other situations that might compromise the integrity of their research
ethics
The Institutional Review Board is a university or college committee that
evaluates the ethical soundness of research proposals
As psychologists use the term, determinism means that
every event has a cause that can be known and discovered with certainty
the same materials and procedures be used as in the original study to test the same hypothesis
exact replication
_____ replication is a scientific attempt to exactly copy the scientific methods used in an earlier study in an effort to determine whether the results are consistent. The same—or similar—results are an indication that the findings are ________
exact/direct replication accurate
A methodology where participants report on their momentary thoughts, feelings, and behaviors at different points in time over the course of a day.
experience-sampling method
When the experimenter's expectations influence the outcome of a study.
experimenter expectations
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: What happens after a TBI?
explanation
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: What makes people who have sustained TBIs more impulsive than people who have not?
explanation
The degree to which a finding generalizes from the specific sample and context of a study to some larger population and broader settings.
external validity
objective information about the world
fact
T or F? If there is enough evidence to support a theory, it becomes a fact.
false
T or F? Sanctions can be imposed on psychologists who do not follow the APA's General Principles?
false
True or false? If you re-write an idea from a book or article in your own words, there is no need to cite it.
false
True or false? All hypotheses are derived from theories
false - some might solely be based on prior data (replication or cumulation)
leonard convinces his wealthy clients that they can move objects with their minds. He tells them that if they truly believe, the object will move. If the objects do not move, it is because they do not truly believe. Leonard's argument fails which important criteria of science?
falsifiability
a statement that can be shown to be false is
falsifiable
a statement that can be shown to be untrue is considered to be
falsifiable
Data that are fabricated, or made up, by researchers intentionally trying to pass off research results that are inaccurate. This is a serious ethical breach and can even be a criminal offense.
falsified/faked data
In science, the ability of a claim to be tested and—possibly—refuted; a defining feature of science.
falsify
by definition, focal sampling involves
few target subjects
what is a type 1 error?
finding a relationship when none really exists
Duration (s) of eye contact is most likely to be part of an operational definition of which construct? aggression flirting intelligence obedience to authority
flirting
A scientific approach whereby researchers start with an observational field study to identify an effect in the real world, follow up with laboratory experimentation to verify the effect and isolate the causal mechanisms, and return to field research to corroborate their experimental findings.
full-cycle psychology
Related to whether the results from the sample can be generalized to a larger population.
generalizability
In research, the degree to which one can extend conclusions drawn from the findings of a study to other groups or situations not included in the study.
generalize
the ability to arrive at broad conclusions based on a smaller sample of observations. For these conclusions to be true the sample should accurately represent the larger population from which it is drawn.
generalize
a logical idea that can be tested
hypothesis
a prediction about the results of research which is tested through research and, in turn, results of the research modify the theory
hypothesis
a prediction that is tested by researchers is a/an
hypothesis
a tentative explanation that is subject to testing
hypothesis
What is the advantage of a field study over a laboratory study?
increased external validity
The variable the researcher manipulates and controls in an experiment.
independent variable
Researchers have measured the contents of people's trash and the bumper stickers that people put on their cars. These are two examples of
indirect measures
A bee stings Stephen. He notices that the sting is not very painful and concludes that stings from wasps, bees, and other insects do not hurt. This is an example of:
inductive reasoning
noting that "the driver in that car was texting; he just cut me off then ran a red light!" (a specific observation), which leads to the general conclusion that texting while driving is dangerous
inductive reasoning
to draw general conclusions from specific observations
inductive reasoning
How to decipher between inductive and deductive reasoning?
inductive uses observations and probability deductive uses more certain language by setting up a premise (general principle) and following with an argument and certain conclusion - predictions may be involved
The most recent APA code (2002) includes 5 general principles and 89 standards. One of the general principles is a moral imperative to avoid plagarism and other types of scientific misconduct. Which general principle is this?
integrity
Select the ordinal-scale measure. A. bicycle model (1 = road, 2 = touring, 3 = mountain, 4 = other) B. cost in Yen C. intelligence quotient D. number of questions asked during a class lecture
intelligence quotient
the degree to which two or more independent observers agree about the behavior they observed (use the operational definitions in the same way and record the same data for the same behavior)
inter-observer reliability
The degree to which a cause-effect relationship between two variables has been unambiguously established.
internal validity
Researchers who ______ will always need to include an informed consent process to get approved by their IRB
intervene directly with participants
A prediction is made from a theory and the results are just as predicted. What can be concluded about the theory?
it has been inductively supported
What does it mean for a theory to be fruitful?
it opens the way for other useful research
The most recent APA code (2002) includes 5 general principles and 89 standards. One of the general principles obligates researchers to distribute the burdens and benefits of their research evenly throughout society. Which general principle is this?
justice
In a study of culture in nonhumans, researchers try to predict which juvenile chimpanzees will be able to learn new skills fastest based on the size of their mothers' American Sign Language vocabulary. What is the criterion variable?
juveniles' skill learning speed
In science, there are complementary understandings and explanations of phenomena.
levels of analysis
A quantitative text analysis methodology that automatically extracts grammatical and psychological information from a text by counting word frequencies.
linguistic inquiry and word count
A methodology where a research team follows an individual around with a video camera to objectively document a person's daily life as it is lived.
lived day analysis
Select the manipulated independent variable. A. eye color (brown, blue or green) B. location of testing (a high bridge or safe on the ground) C. parents' income D. sex
location of testing (a high bridge or safe on the ground)
A study that follows the same group of individuals over time.
longitudinal study
by definition, scan sampling involves
many target subjects
The expected amount of random variation in a statistic; often defined for 95% confidence level.
margin of error
Dr. Parikh has conducted a study that involves gathering data about her students' performance on an exam. She observes that some students did very poorly, while other students made no errors at all. This pattern of variation within her data set is referred to as the ________.
measure of central tendency
A Los Angeles Times article entitled "Green coffee beans show potential for losing weight" is most likely to be a
non-peer reviewed secondary source
In null hypothesis significance testing, the researcher is attempting to falsify the ______.
null hypothesis
______ is/are a way to see if observed data differ from what the data would look like if there were no relationship between the variables.
null hypothesis significance testing
being free of personal bias
objective
Scientific findings published in the Popular Press are:
often dramatized
Imagine that researchers were interested in learning about public support for gay marriage. If the researchers analyzed Facebook posts regarding the acceptance or rejection of homosexuality (via opinions in status updates, article posts, or groups they officially like), they would be studying:
online behavior
explains a concept or construct in terms of the objective, observable procedures used to produce and measure it
operational definition
How researchers specifically measure a concept.
operational definitions
A questionnaire has several items that ask participants whether they Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree or Strongly Disagree. These are __________-scale measures.
ordinal
The probability of observing a particular outcome in a sample, or more extreme, under a conjecture about the larger population or process.
p-value
A numerical result summarizing a population (e.g., mean, proportion).
parameter
A theory that has the minimum of constructs and assumptions, yet adequately summarizes and organizes information, is said to be a(n) ________ theory.
parsimonious
When participants behave in a way that they think the experimenter wants them to behave.
participant demand
when the behavior that is observed is altered (some textbooks refer to it as "unnatural") by the presence of the observer or the act of observation
participant reactivity
which of these is NOT one of psychology's goals? Description, explanation, persuasion, or application
persuasion
When receiving special treatment or something new affects human behavior.
placebo effect
A larger collection of individuals that we would like to generalize our results to.
population
Dr Ramsey conducts research and draws a conclusion about the college athletes who participated in his study. He will now generalize from these research participants to the larger _____ of college athletes outside of his study
population
In research, all the people belonging to a particular group (e.g., the population of left handed people).
population
What is accomplished by random assignment?
possible confounds are spread evenly through the different groups
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: Do children who play rugby have more TBIs than children who do not?
prediction
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: What are the biggest risk factors for TBI?
prediction
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: Who is most likely to sustain TBI?
prediction
Which group is considered a 'special population' by the Code of Federal Regulations governing research with human subjects? A. college sophomores B. nursing home residents C. corporate executives D. pregnant women
pregnant women
The process by which exposing people to one stimulus makes certain thoughts, feelings or behaviors more salient.
priming
inductive reasoning is based on
probabilities
A measure of the degree of certainty of the occurrence of an event.
probability
The basic definition of ____________ is that all members of the population have exactly the same chance of being selected as participants.
probability
In statistics, the established threshold for determining whether a given value occurs by chance.
probability values
Amy is running a study to test whether taking a herbal supplement over a 3-month span improves cognition. She is using a standardized, 10-question test of cognition, which each participant will take three times across the study. At the end of the study she finds that participants' scores improved from the first to the third test. She concludes that the herbal supplement improved cognition. What is an alternative explanation for these results?
progressive effect (not placebo)
Beliefs or practices that are presented as being scientific, or which are mistaken for being scientific, but which are not scientific
pseudoscience
Interobserver reliability is calculated for the purpose of
quantifying observer bias
An experiment that does not require random assignment to conditions.
quasi-experimental design
Assigning participants to receive different conditions of an experiment by chance
random assignment
Using a probability-based method to divide a sample into treatment groups.
random assignment
Which of the following procedures in research is the most important in allowing for cause-and-effect conclusions to be drawn? random sampling regression to the mean random assignment analysis of variance
random assignment
Using a probability-based method to select a subset of individuals for the sample from the population.
random sampling
In an experiment assessing the afficacy of an anti-nausea drug, experimenters record participants' weight in kilograms several times. This is a(n) __________-scale measure.
ratio
Hypotheses are
reasonable predictions about what should occur under specific circumstances
Good survey items should be _______ and _________.
reliable and valid
process of repeating research to determine the extent to which findings generalize across time and across situations - the repeated findings of the same results
replication
In research, the degree to which a sample is a typical example of the population from which it is drawn.
representative
the general principles of the APA core are "aspirational goals". What does that mean for psychology researchers?
researchers must use them as guidelines that inform the ethical conduct of their research
When survey items are all worded favorably , the result can be a response bias called
response acquiescence
Reverse scored items and manipulation checks are methods of minimizing _____.
response bias
Identify the dependent variable in this experiment:In a study of whether romantic music puts people in the mood for love, participants were told to sit and wait while the experimenter "set up the experiment." While waiting, half of participants heard a song with romantic lyrics, the other half heard a song with neutral lyrics. After "waiting," participants answered a questionnaire that assessed how romantic they felt on a scale of 1-10.
romance questionnaire score
The idea of falsifiability involves ______
ruling out bad explanations
In research, a number of people selected from a population to serve as an example of that population.
sample
The collection of individuals on which we collect data.
sample
The number of participants in a study that can influence the confidence scientists have in the accuracy and generalizability of their results.
sample size
While focal sampling involves collecting data from a small number of individuals, _______ involves observing an entire group of people or animals and recording a few specific behaviors from those within the group.
scan sampling
An explanation for observed phenomena that is empirically well-supported, consistent, and fruitful (predictive).
scientific theory
Which of the following is NOT a feature of a good scientific theory? Falsifiable Parsimonious Productive Sidesteps disproof
sidesteps disproof
A researcher who selects a probability sample by drawing up a list of names from the phone book using a list of random numbers is most likely to be using __________ sampling.
simple random
Identify the descriptive statistic. confound p-value standard deviation t-test for dependent samples
standard deviation
null hypothesis
statement that two variables are not related
A numerical result computed from a sample (e.g., mean, proportion).
statistic
The numerical result computed from a sample (for example, a mean or a proportion) is called a(n) _______
statistic
A result is statistically significant if it is unlikely to arise by chance alone.
statistical significance
When Dr. Ashton conducts research and determines that the results are highly unlikely to have been due to random chance, she can state that her findings are ___________.
statistically significant
A researcher who selects a probability sample of psychology majors that is 45% bachelor of science students and 55% bachelor of arts students is most likely to be using __________ sampling.
stratified
A type of probability sampling in which the population is divided into groups with a common attribute and a random sample is chosen within each group
stratified sampling
The unicycling clown study used which of the following observational designs?
structured
________ is a method of observational research in which researchers manipulate the environment to create opportunities to observe behavior in specific situations.
structured observation
Which of the following is NOT an essential feature of science? Empirical Tentative Subjective Democratic
subjective (testable is the other feature)
Sometimes considered the core of science, ____ refers to the careful monitoring (or watching) of the natural world with the aim of better understanding it.
systemic observation
the careful observation of the natural world with the aim of better understanding it. Observations provide the basic data that allows scientists to track, tally, or otherwise organize information about the natural world
systemic observation
Ultimately, the decision about whether a manscript should be published lies with the
the action editor for the journal
Time-based sampling is an especially problematic technique if
the behavior is infrequent
In research with school children, what is meant by the principle of assent?
the children agree to participate
a type I error is when
the experiment rejects the null hypothesis when it is actually correct
Why are we unable to determine whether less impulsive people are better at quitting smoking, or quitting smoking makes people less impulsive, based on the study by Bickel, Madden & Odum mentioned in this module?
the problem of directionality
In order for a Pearson's r to reflect a meaningful relationship, which of the following must be true?
the relationship must be linear
In order to generalize from the results obtained with a sample to the population as a whole,
the sample must be representative of the population
How much information is in a coefficient of correlation?
the strength AND the direction of a relationship
"If a theory is true, then event X should occur." Suppose event X does not occur. What would the typical scientist conclude?
the study failed to support the theory -- let's replicate
When we develop ______ (groups of closely related phenomena or observations) in science, we must do so in a way that can be tested. Otherwise there is no way to prove (or disprove) them.
theories
a set of statements that organize facts and explain some phenomena - generates hypotheses
theory
groups of closely related phenomena or observations
theory
While a _______ is a group of closely related phenomena or observations, _______ is a logical idea that can be tested.
theory hypothesis
Suppose there is a high positive correlation between reading speed and reading comprehension. You suspect that IQ increases both reading speed and reading comprehension. IQ is a potential ____________________.
third variable
Nonresponse bias occurs when
those returning a survey differ in some important way from the initial sample
True of false? If you use a quote from a book, you should cite the entire book in your reference list.
true
True or false? Survey questions should be stated using the simple wording
true
belief about the ways things ought to be
value
When is random assignment preferred over matching as a means of creating equivalent groups?
when a large number of participants are available and can be used
When should DK (Don't Know) alternatives be used?
when there is good reason to believe that some respondents will genuinely not know an answer
Writing in APA style, when do you need to provide in-text citations of sources?
whenever you use any information from the source
Identify the independent variable in this experiment: In a study of whether romantic music puts people in the mood for love, participants were told to sit and wait while the experimenter "set up the experiment." While waiting, half of participants heard a song with romantic lyrics, the other half heard a song with neutral lyrics. After "waiting," participants answered a questionnaire that assessed how romantic they felt on a scale of 1-10.
whether lyrics were romantic
A phenomenon in which patients exhibit elevated blood pressure in the hospital or doctor's office but not in their everyday lives.
white coat hypertension
Researchers believe that some degree of deception in research is sometimes warranted because
without it, participants may not behave naturally
Correlational and experimental research differ in that
Manipulated independent variables only occur in experimental research
In statistics, a test created to determine the chances that an alternative hypothesis would produce a result as extreme as the one observed if the null hypothesis were actually true.
Null-hypothesis significance testing (NHST)
Why is it beneficial for scientists to use systematic observation in order to acquire knowledge?
Observations provide the basic data that allow scientists to track, tally, or otherwise organize information about the natural world.
When scientific theories are revised with new data, these revisions hope to increase the theory's ______ to real-world observations.
accuracy
One advantage of event-based sampling is that
all instances of the target behavior(s) are recorded
Evidence-based practice in a drug rehabilitation clinic would involve A. Clinic staff reading the latest primary-source literature on treatment for addiction and using whatever treatment based on whichever treatment has the strongest scientific evidence that it works. B. Therapists regularly attending scientific conferences and taking continuing-education classes in their field C. Patient records include objective measures of treatment efficacy D. All of the above
all of the above
a statement that two variables are related
alternative hypothesis
An overarching term to describe methodologies that assess the behavior, physiology, experience, and environments of humans in naturalistic settings.
ambulatory assessment
a piece of biased evidence, usually drawn from personal experience, used to support a conclusion that may or may not be correct
anecdotal evidence
Which of the following constructs might the dependent variable 'heart rate' measure? anxiety disgust memory somatic markers
anxiety
"Ergonomic" psychologists develop airplane dials that are fool proof. That is, pilots cannot inadvertently turn them the wrong way. This demonstrates which goal of psychological research?
application
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: Does wearing a helmet protect against TBI? (Could be considered more than one).
application
Classify the following research question as description, prediction, explanation, or application: How can helmets be designed to better minimize the severity of sports-related TBI?
application