Question 1

In case-based research, information from multiple _____ studies is systematically combined and analyzed.
A) survey
B) correlational
C) experimental
D) case

Accepted Answer

Case-based research involves analyzing information from multiple case studies, rather than surveys, correlational studies, or experimental studies.

Question 2

Of the nearly 6,000 people who participated in the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB), which is a survey on sexual behaviors:
A) all had volunteered to be in the survey by responding to advertisements.
B) each was randomly assigned to the different experimental conditions in the study.
C) each was randomly selected from the entire U.S. population.
D) almost all were from either California or New York.

Accepted Answer

A national survey is typically conducted by randomly selecting participants from a representative sample of the entire population. This ensures that the sample is not biased towards any particular group or region, and that the results can be generalized to the entire population. Option A is incorrect because only those who volunteered to participate would have responded to advertisements. Option B is also incorrect because if participants were randomly assigned to different experimental conditions, it would suggest that the study had experimental manipulations, which is not mentioned in the question stem. Option D is incorrect because it suggests that the sample was not representative of the entire population, but rather biased towards two particular regions of the US.

Question 3

One potential problem with surveys and questionnaires is that:
A) people may misrepresent their personal characteristics or lie in their responses.
B) random selection procedures are not possible with these forms of data collection.
C) expectancy effects usually invalidate the findings.
D) these techniques produce illusory correlations rather than true correlations.

Accepted Answer

People may not be truthful in their responses, which can lead to inaccurate data.

Question 4

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:
A) Professor Patterson has made a serious error in calculating the correlation coefficient.
B) a cause-and-effect relationship exists between participation in sporting events and physical injuries.
C) as participation in sporting events increases, the risk of physical injury also increases.
D) as participation in sporting events decreases, the risk of physical injury increases.

Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to +1. A value of +2.36 is not possible, indicating a calculation error.

Question 5

To ensure that participants are responding honestly and consistently, survey researchers:
A) usually withhold payment for participating in the survey until the person's answers have been independently checked and verified.
B) almost always interview the participants on two separate occasions using two different interviewers.
C) sometimes rephrase the question and ask for the same information in a different way at different points in the survey.
D) routinely check the participant's responses with the spouse or a friend of the participant.

Accepted Answer

Rephrasing questions or asking for the same information in different ways can help ensure consistent and honest responses. This technique is known as "response consistency checks" and is a common method used in survey research. Withholding payment or checking with a spouse or friend may not be practical or effective, while interviewing participants on two separate occasions is time-consuming and may introduce other variables that could affect responses.

Question 6

Professor Lyon decided to study food preferences of U.S. college students, so he asked his students to volunteer to participate in a lengthy survey. Professor Lyon's survey results are probably invalid because he did not use:
A) an operational definition.
B) random selection.
C) a valid hypothesis.
D) independent and dependent variables.

Accepted Answer

Without random selection, the sample of students who volunteered may not accurately represent the entire population of U.S. college students, leading to a biased and potentially invalid survey result. The other options may also contribute to the validity of the study, but random selection is the most critical aspect for ensuring representativeness.

Question 7

Sample is to population as _____ is to _____.
A) random selection; naturalistic observation
B) some; all
C) case study; survey
D) case study; multiple case study

Accepted Answer

Sample is a subset of a population, whereas some is a subset of all. Both have a similar relationship where the subset represents a smaller portion of the larger whole.

Question 8

What process do researchers use to make sure that survey participants are a representative sample of the population that is being studied?
A) double-blind selection
B) single-blind selection
C) random selection
D) using only those participants who volunteer to be part of the study

Accepted Answer

The process that researchers use to make sure that survey participants are a representative sample of the population that is being studied is random selection. This means that participants are selected at random from the population being studied, and not just those who volunteer or are easily accessible. Random selection helps to reduce bias and increase the likelihood that the sample accurately represents the population. Double-blind and single-blind selection refer to methods of controlling bias in experiments, and are not relevant to survey sampling.

Question 9

A representative sample is a:
A) group of participants that closely parallels the larger group to be studied on all relevant characteristics, such as age, sex, and race.
B) sample questionnaire that represents the most likely set of survey responses.
C) small group of volunteers who try to predict the survey results.
D) list of all the possible questions that might be represented on the final survey.

Accepted Answer

A representative sample is a subset of the larger population that closely resembles the characteristics of the overall population being studied. This helps to ensure that the findings from the study can be generalized to the larger population.

Question 10

In survey research, the term sample refers to a(n):
A) preliminary questionnaire that is used to develop the final survey.
B) carefully selected segment of the larger group that is to be studied.
C) small pilot study that is later repeated using a larger group of participants.
D) entire group of people the researchers want to study.

Accepted Answer

In survey research, a sample refers to a carefully selected segment of the larger group that is to be studied. This sample is chosen to represent the larger population to ensure that the results of the survey are accurate and can be generalized to the population as a whole.

Question 11

In _____, information from multiple case studies is systematically combined and analyzed.
A) survey research
B) naturalistic observation
C) experimental research
D) case-based research

Accepted Answer

Case-based research involves gathering information from multiple case studies and systematically combining and analyzing it. Survey research involves collecting data through questionnaires or interviews, naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in its natural setting, and experimental research involves manipulating variables to see their effect on outcomes.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is an important advantage of surveys?
A) Surveys can be developed by people with no scientific training.
B) Researchers are able to gather information about a very large group of people based on a representative sample of that group.
C) The dependent variable is more easily manipulated in surveys than in formal experiments.
D) If there are more than 3,000 participants, the results are likely to be valid no matter how the participants were chosen.

Accepted Answer

Surveys allow researchers to gather information from a broad range of individuals by utilizing representative samples, which can provide a more accurate understanding of the population being studied. This can be especially advantageous when studying large populations or those that are difficult to access. Option A is incorrect because appropriate training is necessary to develop surveys that will yield meaningful results. Option C is incorrect because surveys typically do not involve manipulation of independent variables, and option D is incorrect because the validity of survey results depends on factors beyond just the number of participants.

Question 13

Which of the following correlation coefficients represents the strongest relationship between two factors?
A) -.15
B) +.03
C) +.38
D) -.80

Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to +1, where values closer to -1 or +1 indicate a stronger relationship. A correlation of -.80 represents the strongest relationship among the given options.

Question 14

After analyzing her data, Professor Nelson discovers that a correlation coefficient of +.75 exists between the amount of coffee a person drinks and the degree of stress experienced. Professor Nelson can safely conclude that:
A) there is no relationship between stress and coffee consumption.
B) stress causes people to drink coffee.
C) as coffee consumption increases, stress also increases.
D) drinking coffee produces stress.

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient of +.75 indicates a positive correlation between the two variables, meaning that as one variable (coffee consumption) increases, so does the other variable (degree of stress). This does not mean that coffee causes stress or that stress causes people to drink coffee, but simply that there is a relationship between the two variables.

Question 15

A correlation coefficient is a(n):
A) numerical indicator of the strength and direction of a relationship between two factors.
B) independent variable that is used in a correlational study.
C) numerical indicator of the statistical significance of the findings in a particular research study.
D) index of the practical rather than the statistical significance of research findings.

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient is a statistical measure used to represent the relationship between two factors. It provides a numerical value that indicates the strength (how strong the relationship between the factors is) and the direction (positive or negative) of the relationship. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Question 16

Which of the following numbers is NOT a possible correlation coefficient?
A) +1.00
B) -.98
C) +1.72
D) +.54

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 17

Case studies:
A) are commonly used by clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals to develop a complete profile of a psychotherapy client.
B) were popular when psychology was first founded but are almost never used today.
C) are not considered to be a legitimate form of scientific evidence.
D) are the main scientific tool used to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Accepted Answer

Case studies are commonly used by clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals to develop a complete profile of a psychotherapy client. They provide a detailed analysis of the individual's history, symptoms, and treatments, which can help inform the therapist's approach to treatment.

Option B is incorrect because case studies are still commonly used today across various fields, including psychology. Option C is incorrect because case studies are considered a legitimate form of scientific evidence, although they are not as rigorous as other methods such as randomized controlled trials. Option D is incorrect because case studies are not the main scientific tool used to establish a cause-and-effect relationship, as they generally involve only a single individual and cannot be generalized to larger populations.

Question 18

A correlational study:
A) examines how strongly two variables are related to one another.
B) can be used to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
C) is no longer allowed under today's ethical guidelines.
D) has little utility, since it is merely descriptive.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A correlational study:
A) examines how strongly two...

Question 19

Professor Nelson wishes to investigate the relationship between stress and visits to the college mental health clinic. Which of the following research methods would be most appropriate?
A) pseudoscientific research
B) correlational study
C) meta-analysis
D) naturalistic experiment

Accepted Answer

The answer of Professor Nelson wishes to investigate the relationship...

Question 20

Researchers Craig Anderson and Karen Dill (2000) surveyed college students about their video game playing habits. What did their survey reveal?
A) The average amount of time spent playing video games increased as students progressed from high school to college, with college students playing video games for six hours per week on average.
B) Although the average amount of time spent playing video games decreased as students progressed from high school to college, college students reported playing video games for more than two hours per week on average.
C) Playing video games causes a decrease in grade point average and an increase in aggressive personality characteristics.
D) There was a strong positive correlation between the amount of time spent playing video games and academic achievement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Researchers Craig Anderson and Karen Dill (2000)...

Quiz 1: Introduction and Research Methods

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

Of the nearly 6,000 people who participated in the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB) , which is a survey on sexual behaviors:

One potential problem with surveys and questionnaires is that:

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:

To ensure that participants are responding honestly and consistently, survey researchers:

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

Sample is to population as _ is to _.

What process do researchers use to make sure that survey participants are a representative sample of the population that is being studied?

A representative sample is a:

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

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

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

Which of the following correlation coefficients represents the strongest relationship between two factors?

After analyzing her data, Professor Nelson discovers that a correlation coefficient of +.75 exists between the amount of coffee a person drinks and the degree of stress experienced. Professor Nelson can safely conclude that:

A correlation coefficient is a(n) :

Which of the following numbers is NOT a possible correlation coefficient?

Case studies:

A correlational study:

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

Researchers Craig Anderson and Karen Dill (2000) surveyed college students about their video game playing habits. What did their survey reveal?