Question 1

When Renate bought her memory-enhancing subliminal tapesshe was pleased to read about a study that 1showed positiver esults. However, she ignored the evidence from many other studies that did not support the claims made for subliminal tapes. This example illustrates:

Accepted Answer

The scenario illustrates the confirmation bias, which is the tendency to selectively search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms our pre-existing beliefs or expectations. Renate ignored evidence that contradicted her belief in the effectiveness of subliminal tapes and focused only on the study that supported her belief.

Question 2

A representative sample is a:

Accepted Answer

A representative sample is a group of participants who closely parallels the larger group to be studied on all relevant characteristics, such as age, sex, and race. This ensures that the findings from the study can be generalized to the larger group with accuracy. The other choices do not accurately describe a representative sample.

Question 3

A correlation coefficient is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient is a numerical indicator of the strength (magnitude) and direction of a relationship between two variables. It ranges from -1 to +1, with -1 indicating a perfect negative correlation, 0 indicating no correlation, and +1 indicating a perfect positive correlation. It is used to assess the degree of association between variables, but it does not imply causation or directionality.

Question 4

When Brenda's son did not experience any of the claimed benefits from wearing a magnetic vest, she was told that magnets act differently on different body parts, that the vest might not have been properly secured, and that everyone's body reacts differently to magnet therapy. The therapist encouraged her to continue using the vest, saying that the healing effect would not be noticeable until her son had worn itlonger. This example illustrates:

Accepted Answer

This scenario demonstrates the use of "multiple outs," which are excuses or justifications given when a treatment or intervention does not produce the desired results. The therapist in this example is using multiple outs to explain why the magnetic vest may not have worked for Brenda's son and to encourage her to continue using it.

Question 5

A correlational study:

Accepted Answer

A correlational study examines the relationship between two variables and how strongly they may be related to one another. It does not establish cause-and-effect relationships and is still allowed under today's ethical guidelines. It has utility in helping to understand the nature of the relationship between two variables.

Question 6

A case study is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A case study is a detailed examination of a single individual or a group of individuals, using a variety of sources to gather information. It is commonly used in psychology and medicine to understand unusual or rare issues or to gain a deeper understanding of a particular phenomenon. Case studies usually involve observation, interviews, and a review of medical or psychological records, and they are used to identify patterns or suggest hypotheses for further study.

Question 7

Professor Lyon decided to study food preferences of U.S.college students, so he asked his students to volunteer toparticipate in a lengthy survey. Professor Lyon's survey resultsare probably invalid because he did not use:

Accepted Answer

Professor Lyon's survey results are probably invalid because he did not use random selection. Random selection is important to ensure that the sample is representative of the population being studied. Without random selection, there may be biases in the sample that could affect the validity of the survey results. The other options (an operational definition, a valid hypothesis, independent and dependent variables) are also important in scientific research, but they may not directly impact the validity of the survey results in this case.

Question 8

In survey research, the term sample refers to a(n):

Accepted Answer

In survey research, the term sample refers to a carefully selected segment of the larger group that is to be studied. This segment is chosen in a way that it represents the larger group and allows researchers to make inferences about the entire population based on the results of the sample.

Question 9

Which of the following numbers is NOT a possible correlationcoefficient?

Accepted Answer

Correlation coefficients range from -1 to +1, so any value outside of that range is not possible. Therefore, +1.72 is not a possible correlation coefficient.

Question 10

Sample is to population as _____ is to _____.

Accepted Answer

A sample is a subset of a larger population, just like "some" is a subset of "all".

Question 11

When questioned, advocates of pseudoscientific claims do not provide supporting scientific evidence but instead challenge you to disprove their claims. This strategy or ploy is called:

Accepted Answer

Shifting the burden of proof is a common tactic used by proponents of pseudoscientific claims to avoid providing evidence to support their claims. Instead, they challenge their critics to prove them wrong, effectively shifting the burden of proof onto the skeptic. This is a logical fallacy since the burden of proof is on the person making the claim, not the person challenging it.

Question 12

After conducting a statistical analysis of responses to a survey,Professor Patterson finds a correlation of +2.36 between participation in sporting events and physical injuries. This finding indicates that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of After conducting a statistical analysis of responses...

Question 13

Professor Nelson wishes to investigate the relationship betweenstress and visits to the college mental health clinic. Which of the following research methods would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A correlational study would be the most appropriate research method to investigate the relationship between stress and visits to the college mental health clinic. This method involves measuring the degree of association between two variables (in this case, stress and visits to the clinic) without manipulating either of them. It would allow the researcher to determine whether there is a positive or negative correlation between stress and visits to the clinic, and to what degree. This would provide valuable information for understanding and addressing mental health needs on college campuses.

Question 14

One potential problem with surveys and questionnaires is that:

Accepted Answer

People may misrepresent themselves or lie on surveys and questionnaires, leading to inaccurate data. This is known as social desirability bias.

Question 15

In case-based research, information from multiple _____studies is systematically combined and analyzed.

Accepted Answer

Case-based research involves analyzing information from multiple case studies.

Question 16

As you flip through the television channels, you come across the"Psychic Circle," which advertises "psychics" who use"scientifically proven methods" to see the future. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The advertisement for "Psychic Circle" that claims to use "scientifically proven methods" is a common tactic used by pseudoscientific claims. There is no scientific evidence that psychics can predict the future, making this claim false and unproven.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is an important advantage of surveys?

Accepted Answer

Surveys provide a means to gather information from a large group of people based on a representative sample, which is important for obtaining accurate and generalizable results. The other statements are not necessarily advantages of surveys or are incorrect.

Question 18

To ensure that participants are responding honestly andconsistently, survey researchers:

Accepted Answer

Asking the same basic question at different points in the interview using two different interviewers can help ensure the participant's responses are consistent and honest. This technique is known as a "split-ballot" design and is commonly used in survey research. Withholding payment or checking responses with a spouse or friend may not be feasible or ethical, and interviewing on two separate occasions may not necessarily guarantee honest and consistent responses.

Question 19

Which of the following descriptions is a definition of the confirmation bias?

Accepted Answer

The confirmation bias refers to the tendency to seek out evidence that confirms a claim or belief, while ignoring evidence that contradicts or undermines the claim or belief.

Question 20

In _____, information from multiple case studies is systematically combined and analyzed.

Accepted Answer

Case-based research involves combining and analyzing information from multiple case studies in a systematic way. Survey research involves collecting information from a large sample of people through questionnaires or interviews, naturalistic observation involves observing people or organisms in their natural environment, and experimental research involves manipulating variables to test cause-and-effect relationships.

Quiz 1: Introductionand Research Methods