Question 1

How do multiple regression designs help rule out third variables?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do multiple regression designs help rule...

Question 2

When examining the results of a multiple regression, which of the following should be compared to determine which predictor variables have the largest relationship to the criterion variable?
A)b values
B)Beta values
C)Significance values
D)Effect sizes

Accepted Answer

Beta values should be compared to determine which predictor variables have the largest relationship to the criterion variable. Beta values represent the standardized regression coefficients, meaning they account for differences in the scales of the predictor variables. Therefore, comparing the magnitudes of the Beta values allows one to determine which predictor variables have the strongest relationship with the criterion variable.

Question 3

Dr. O'Toole is a counseling psychologist who researches family dynamics. He is curious as to whether there is a causal link between the amount of time families spend together on vacation and children's happiness. More specifically, he thinks that spending more time together as a family on vacation causes children to be happier. He designs a study where he samples 63 single-child families in December 2012 and measures how many days the family spent on vacation in the past year as well as the child's happiness. He then contacts the same families in December 2016 and measures those two variables again. The results of his study are below.

Describe what makes Dr. O'Toole's study (1) a longitudinal study and (2) a multivariate correlational study.

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Question 4

Why should journalists report on the previous body of research when writing about a newly published scientific study?
A)To highlight pattern and parsimony in scientific research
B)To demonstrate that they have a background in science
C)To make it easier for their readers to determine that the story is credible
D)To prove to their editors that readers will be interested in the story

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Question 5

The degree to which a good scientific theory provides the simplest explanation of some phenomenon is known as .
A)minimalism
B)pretentiousness
C)parsimony
D)density

Accepted Answer

The principle of parsimony, also known as Occam's razor, suggests that when multiple explanations are available for a phenomenon, the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one. This is often used as a criterion for evaluating scientific theories.

Question 6

A criterion variable is also known as a(n) variable.
A)predictor
B)independent
C)control
D)dependent

Accepted Answer

A criterion variable is the variable that is being predicted or explained in a study, and is therefore dependent on the predictor variables. Hence, the best choice is dependent (option D).

Question 7

Why is it problematic when journalists only report on a single study?
A)It can make journalists look bad.
B)It can lead people to think journalists are scientists.
C)It can lead people to value one study over decades of previous research.
D)It can cause people to interrogate a study's validities.

Accepted Answer

Reporting on a single study can give it undue weight and make people undervalue or ignore the body of research it is a part of. It is important to place the study in the context of the broader research in the field to avoid misleading the public.

Question 8

Adding several variables to a regression analysis can help do which of the following?
A)Increase the statistical significance of the results
B)Control for several variables at once
C)Increase the construct validity of a study
D)Meet the temporal precedence criterion for causal inference

Accepted Answer

Adding several variables to a regression analysis helps control for those variables, allowing for a clearer understanding of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables by accounting for potential confounding factors.

Question 9

Dr. O'Toole is a counseling psychologist who researches family dynamics. He is curious as to whether there is a causal link between the amount of time families spend together on vacation and children's happiness. More specifically, he thinks that spending more time together as a family on vacation causes children to be happier. He designs a study where he samples 63 single-child families in December 2012 and measures how many days the family spent on vacation in the past year as well as the child's happiness. He then contacts the same families in December 2016 and measures those two variables again. The results of his study are below.

There are three types of correlations discussed in longitudinal designs. From Dr. O'Toole's study, provide an example of each of the following: a cross-sectional correlation, an autocorrelation, and a cross-lag correlation. Make sure you use the variable names and not just the correlation numbers (e.g., the correlation between 2012 vacation days and 2012 child happiness).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. O'Toole is a counseling psychologist who...

Question 10

Dr. Nguyen is a psychologist who studies legal decision making. Specifically, he is curious about the factors that are irrelevant to the crime committed that influence the sentences juries give to defendants (known as extra-legal factors). To study this further, he samples a group of jury-eligible adults from the Memphis area. He provides them with the fact pattern to a particular case and allows them to watch the closing statements from the trial. He then asks them to provide a sentence (in months) for the defendant. In addition, he measures two legal factors (the number of arguments made by the prosecuting attorney and the length of time the defense attorney speaks during his or her closing argument) and two extra-legal factors (how attractive the participants think the defendant is [higher scores indicate higher ratings of attractiveness] and how many legal televisions shows the participants watch). The data are below.
  
Explain whether Dr. Nguyen is correct in thinking that extra-legal factors are more important in legal decision making than legal factors.

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Which of the following words/symbols would indicate that you are reading results from a multiple-regression analysis?
A)b
B)Sig
C)r
D)d

Accepted Answer

In multiple-regression analysis, "b" typically represents the unstandardized coefficients, which indicate the change in the dependent variable for a one-unit change in the predictor variable.

Question 12

Dr. Nguyen is a psychologist who studies legal decision making. Specifically, he is curious about the factors that are irrelevant to the crime committed that influence the sentences juries give to defendants (known as extra-legal factors). To study this further, he samples a group of jury-eligible adults from the Memphis area. He provides them with the fact pattern to a particular case and allows them to watch the closing statements from the trial. He then asks them to provide a sentence (in months) for the defendant. In addition, he measures two legal factors (the number of arguments made by the prosecuting attorney and the length of time the defense attorney speaks during his or her closing argument) and two extra-legal factors (how attractive the participants think the defendant is [higher scores indicate higher ratings of attractiveness] and how many legal televisions shows the participants watch). The data are below.
  
Choose one of the variables in Dr. Nguyen's study. Explain how this variable relates to criminal sentencing, considering direction of the effect, statistical significance, and strength of relationship compared with the other variables.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Nguyen is a psychologist who studies...

Question 13

Dr. Nguyen is a psychologist who studies legal decision making. Specifically, he is curious about the factors that are irrelevant to the crime committed that influence the sentences juries give to defendants (known as extra-legal factors). To study this further, he samples a group of jury-eligible adults from the Memphis area. He provides them with the fact pattern to a particular case and allows them to watch the closing statements from the trial. He then asks them to provide a sentence (in months) for the defendant. In addition, he measures two legal factors (the number of arguments made by the prosecuting attorney and the length of time the defense attorney speaks during his or her closing argument) and two extra-legal factors (how attractive the participants think the defendant is [higher scores indicate higher ratings of attractiveness] and how many legal television shows the participants watch). The data are below.
  
List the predictor and dependent/criterion variables in Dr. Nguyen's study.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Nguyen is a psychologist who studies...

Question 14

If an experiment cannot be done for practical or ethical reasons related to manipulating the variable of interest, which of the following events should happen?
A)The study should not be conducted at all.
B)The researchers should wait until the experiment can be done.
C)A longitudinal correlational design could be done instead.
D)The IRB can grant a waiver of review to conduct the study anyway.

Accepted Answer

If an experiment cannot be done for practical or ethical reasons related to manipulating the variable of interest, a longitudinal correlational design could be done instead. This design can help researchers observe if there is any relationship between the variables over time, even if they cannot manipulate them. It is important to consider ethical principles and the feasibility of the study when determining the most appropriate research design.

Question 15

Why would a researcher interested in making a causal claim NOT do an experiment?
A)Experiments are very expensive and the researcher might not have grant funding.
B)There may be ethical limitations of manipulating a variable.
C)Laboratory space is required for experiments and the researcher might not have a lab.
D)Experiments take longer to do than other types of studies.

Accepted Answer

If there are ethical limitations or concerns with manipulating a variable, an experiment may not be the best option for making a causal claim. Instead, other non-experimental research designs (such as correlational or observational studies) may be more appropriate. Cost, space, and time may also be factors, but the ethical limitations would override these other concerns.

Question 16

Such topics as the link between media and aggression and smoking and lung cancer have been studied with a variety of methods and by a variety of researchers and have all reached similar conclusions. This is an example of which of the following?
A)Hypothesis generation
B)Third variable problems
C)Multiple-regression designs
D)Pattern and parsimony

Accepted Answer

This is an example of pattern and parsimony, which refers to the consistency and simplicity of findings across multiple studies and researchers. It suggests that there is strong evidence for the link between media and aggression and smoking and lung cancer, despite different methods and researchers studying these topics.

Question 17

Dr. Nguyen is a psychologist who studies legal decision making. Specifically, he is curious about the factors that are irrelevant to the crime committed that influence the sentences juries give to defendants (known as extra-legal factors). To study this further, he samples a group of jury-eligible adults from the Memphis area. He provides them with the fact pattern to a particular case and allows them to watch the closing statements from the trial. He then asks them to provide a sentence (in months) for the defendant. In addition, he measures two legal factors (the number of arguments made by the prosecuting attorney and the length of time the defense attorney speaks during his or her closing argument) and two extra-legal factors (how attractive the participants think the defendant is [higher scores indicate higher ratings of attractiveness] and how many legal televisions shows the participants watch). The data are below.
  
Explain whether Dr. Nguyen could conduct an experiment instead of a multiple regression design. Regardless, why would an experiment be better than his current study?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Nguyen is a psychologist who studies...

Question 18

Explain why longitudinal designs can help researchers make causal statements. If a researcher is hoping to make a causal statement, why would a researcher use a longitudinal design instead of an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why longitudinal designs can help researchers...

Question 19

Explain the value of pattern and parsimony in attempting to establish causal links in correlational findings.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the value of pattern and parsimony...

Question 20

Dr. O'Toole is a counseling psychologist who researches family dynamics. He is curious as to whether there is a causal link between the amount of time families spend together on vacation and children's happiness. More specifically, he thinks that spending more time together as a family on vacation causes children to be happier. He designs a study where he samples 63 single-child families in December 2012 and measures how many days the family spent on vacation in the past year as well as the child's happiness. He then contacts the same families in December 2016 and measures those two variables again. The results of his study are below.

There are three possible causal patterns that can be found in a study like Dr. O'Toole's. Choose one causal pattern and explain which correlations need to be significant, which ones should not be significant, and what type of causal claim can be made. Make sure you use the variable names and not just the correlation numbers (e.g., Correlation 1).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. O'Toole is a counseling psychologist who...

Quiz 9: Multivariate Correlational Research

How do multiple regression designs help rule out third variables?

When examining the results of a multiple regression, which of the following should be compared to determine which predictor variables have the largest relationship to the criterion variable?

Why should journalists report on the previous body of research when writing about a newly published scientific study?

The degree to which a good scientific theory provides the simplest explanation of some phenomenon is known as .

A criterion variable is also known as a(n) variable.

Why is it problematic when journalists only report on a single study?

Adding several variables to a regression analysis can help do which of the following?

Which of the following words/symbols would indicate that you are reading results from a multiple-regression analysis?

If an experiment cannot be done for practical or ethical reasons related to manipulating the variable of interest, which of the following events should happen?

Why would a researcher interested in making a causal claim NOT do an experiment?

Such topics as the link between media and aggression and smoking and lung cancer have been studied with a variety of methods and by a variety of researchers and have all reached similar conclusions. This is an example of which of the following?

Explain why longitudinal designs can help researchers make causal statements. If a researcher is hoping to make a causal statement, why would a researcher use a longitudinal design instead of an experimental design?

Explain the value of pattern and parsimony in attempting to establish causal links in correlational findings.