Question 1

Observing behavior in real-world settings and making no effort to manipulate or control the situation is called ______ observation.

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation is a research method in which the researcher observes behavior in a real-world setting without manipulating or controlling the situation.

Question 2

Dr. Jackson's research has found that the correlation between IQ and head circumference is + .10. From this information, we can conclude that:

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient of + .10 indicates a weak positive relationship between head circumference and IQ. It does not support any of the other options stated.

Question 3

The longitudinal method of research consists of studying:

Accepted Answer

The longitudinal method of research involves studying the same individuals over an extended period of time to observe and analyze changes in their development or behavior. This approach is useful in examining the effects of aging or the long-term consequences of certain experiences or interventions. Therefore, the correct choice is A.

Question 4

Dr. Sanchez provided pet therapy dogs on a college campus and then observed if, and if so how long, students interacted with the dogs. Dr. Sanchez is conducting _____ research.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sanchez is conducting descriptive research as he is observing and describing the behavior of students interacting with therapy dogs without manipulating any variables.

Question 5

A(n) _____ is a carefully regulated procedure in which one or more factors believed to influence the behavior being studied are manipulated while all other factors are held constant.

Accepted Answer

An experiment is a research method where variables are manipulated to determine their effect on other variables, while controlling other factors to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 6

The cross-sectional approach to developmental research compares individuals of different ages:

Accepted Answer

The cross-sectional approach involves studying different age groups at a single point in time to identify differences related to age.

Question 7

Dr. Casey wants to study the ways that levels of happiness change for college students throughout the day. Dr. Casey should avoid using:

Accepted Answer

Standardized tests are not suitable for studying changes in happiness levels throughout the day, as they are typically designed to measure stable traits or abilities rather than fluctuating states like happiness.

Question 8

Professor Castillo is studying the aggression of preschool children during recess. He has several observers recording the children's behavior, but none of them are allowed to interfere with the children at play; they simply record what they see. Professor Castillo is using:

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference, which is what the observers are doing by recording the children's behavior during recess.

Question 9

A researcher is interested in the effect of exercise on stamina in elderly patients. The patients are randomly assigned to be in a high-exercise or low-exercise training program for eight weeks. At the end of the program, their stamina is measured by seeing how long they can walk comfortably on a treadmill. In this study, the dependent variable is:

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or tested in the study, and in this case, it is the length of time that the patients can walk on the treadmill comfortably, which is measured in minutes. Therefore, the dependent variable is A) the number of minutes on the treadmill. B) is the independent variable, as it is the variable that is being manipulated or controlled by the researcher. C) and D) are not relevant to the definition of the dependent variable.

Question 10

Cynthia is conducting a survey on the prevalence and patterns of substance abuse in her city. What could be a problem that Cynthia could encounter while using this method of data collection?

Accepted Answer

Surveys on sensitive topics like substance abuse may lead to participants providing socially desirable responses rather than truthful ones, affecting the accuracy of the data collected.

Question 11

Advancements in methods used to assess physiological measures are now allowing scientists to examine ______ in studies of biological influences on development.

Accepted Answer

Advancements in methods such as genetic testing and sequencing have enabled scientists to examine genes in studies of biological influences on development.

Question 12

By using physiological measures, researchers have found that cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, is linked to:

Accepted Answer

Cortisol is commonly known as the "stress hormone" because its levels increase in response to stress.

Question 13

In _____ research, the goal is to describe the strength of the relationship between two or more events or characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Correlational research aims to identify and describe the strength and direction of relationships between two or more variables or events.

Question 14

In terms of interpreting correlational research, it is important to remember that correlation does not mean the same as:

Accepted Answer

Correlation does not imply causation; it only indicates that two variables are related, not that one causes the other.

Question 15

Which of the following is a criticism of standardized tests?

Accepted Answer

Standardized tests assume that a person's behavior is consistent and stable, which is not always the case. People may perform better or worse on a test depending on factors such as their mood, level of motivation, and test anxiety. This criticism highlights the limitations of standardized tests in accurately measuring a person's abilities and potential.

Question 16

Which of the following correlations is the strongest?

Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient of -.77 indicates a strong negative correlation, which is stronger than the other given correlation coefficients.

Question 17

The research method that involves an in-depth look at a single individual is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A case study is an in-depth study of a single individual, group, or event. It is often used to gain a better understanding of a particular phenomenon or issue.

Question 18

Dr. McLean has designed a study to test the cognitive skills of people in their thirties, fifties, and seventies where data are collected over the course of a day through a series of tests. What type of research approach is Dr. McLean using?

Accepted Answer

Dr. McLean is using a cross-sectional research approach because the study involves collecting data at one point in time from different age groups to compare their cognitive skills.

Question 19

In an experimental study, the _____ group serves as a baseline against which the effects of the manipulated condition can be compared.

Accepted Answer

The control group is the group that does not receive the manipulated condition and therefore serves as a baseline for comparison to the experimental group.

Question 20

Flevy is conducting an extensive market study and has hired a big group of college students to hand out a standard set of questions to shoppers at malls and supermarkets and to seek their responses. Which of the following methods of data collection is Flevy using?

Accepted Answer

Flevy is using a survey method, as they are collecting data through a set of questions given to shoppers to gather their responses.

Quiz 1: Introduction