Question 1

Descriptive statistics are used to test a study hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize and organize characteristics of a data set, but they do not test hypotheses. Hypothesis testing typically involves inferential statistics.

Question 2

The value of p in the statistical analysis of data is derived from inferential statistics.

Accepted Answer

The p-value is derived from inferential statistics as it is used to determine the significance of the results obtained from a sample in relation to the entire population, helping to infer or make predictions about the population based on sample data.

Question 3

A negative correlation between scores for depression and grades in school would mean that those who were higher than others on one of these variables would tend to be higher than others on the other variable.

Accepted Answer

A negative correlation means that as scores for depression increase, grades in school tend to decrease, and vice versa.

Question 4

The study sample is a smaller group of people than the study population.

Accepted Answer

The study sample is a subset of the study population, selected to represent the larger group in research.

Question 5

Explanatory research examines the relationships between two or more variables rather than just describing variables one at a time.

Accepted Answer

Explanatory research aims to explore and explain how variables are connected, often investigating the cause-and-effect relationships between them, rather than merely describing them individually.

Question 6

One of the key tasks of the data analysis phase of explanatory research is the drawing of conclusions about what was learned from the study.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the key tasks of the...

Question 7

You can have validity in your measurement tool even if you do not have reliability.

Accepted Answer

Reliability is a prerequisite for validity; a measurement tool must consistently produce the same results to be considered valid.

Question 8

If you collected data from all members of your research class for a study, you can scientifically generalize the results of your study to all students in your university.

Accepted Answer

Collecting data from all members of a specific class does not provide a representative sample of the entire university population, as it lacks diversity and may not account for the varying characteristics of all students.

Question 9

Suppose you decided to conduct an explanatory research study using the clients of a given service in a specified agency with which you are familiar. Your study objective is to determine if gender explains client no-shows (i.e., whether a client shows up for a service appointment). Explain how you would select the clients for your study and whether you can generalize your findings on a scientific basis to the population of all clients currently served by your agency.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose you decided to conduct an explanatory...

Question 10

Articulate the study hypothesis for a study where you are examining the relationship between the variables of school grades, measured as the numerical average of all grades in the last reporting period, and scores on a self-esteem scale where higher scores represent a higher level of self-esteem. Identify one basis whereby your statement adheres to the guides for stating the study hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Articulate the study hypothesis for a study...

Question 11

Suppose you have a study hypothesis that suggests you will find a negative relationship between scores for social support and scores for stress. Your data have yielded a correlation coefficient of -.37 with a p value of .21. Explain why you would or would not draw the conclusion that you found a negative relationship between social support and stress.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose you have a study hypothesis that...

Question 12

What is the most important thing you should report in the conclusions section of your research report? Give an example.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the most important thing you...

Question 13

What is an example of the structure of your data in an explanatory study? Explain what research task in explanatory research is guided by knowing the structure of your data.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is an example of the structure...

Quiz 7: Conducting Research That Explains Things: What Explains Life Satisfaction