Question 1

Concerning Internet surveys,which of the following statements is FALSE?
A) Web-based research has been disadvantaged because of its high cost in time and money.
B) Web-based research can reach very large groups of people.
C) Biased samples can limit Web-based research because it is not easy to control who
Actually answers online questionnaires.
D) Internet studies have provided interesting information about topics, such as anger, prejudice, religion, and other attitudes.

Accepted Answer

Web-based research is actually advantageous because it can be less time-consuming and cost-effective compared to traditional methods such as in-person surveys or telephone interviews.

Question 2

An entire group of animals or people belonging to a particular category is called a
A) biased sample.
B) representative sample.
C) population.
D) natural clinical test.

Accepted Answer

A population refers to an entire group of animals or people belonging to a particular category. A biased sample is a sample that does not represent the entire population, while a representative sample is a sample that accurately represents the population. Natural clinical test is not a relevant term in this context.

Question 3

Meridian Community College has a total of 4,000 students.One hundred of these students are surveyed about the programs offered at the college.These 100 students surveyed would constitute the
A) population.
B) representative sample.
C) control group.
D) independent group.

Accepted Answer

The 100 students surveyed would constitute a representative sample of the larger population of 4,000 students at Meridian Community College. They have been selected to provide insight into the perceptions and experiences of the larger group.

Question 4

Incredible but false stories posted on the Internet,such as "the health department in Oregon looking for someone fluent in the fictional language of Klingon," illustrates the need for readers to always
A) be skeptical.
B) be wary of overly complex explanations.
C) remember that truth is often stranger than fiction.
D) consider that numerous postings of information on the Internet are required to establish proof.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is to be skeptical because incredible but false stories are often posted on the Internet, and it is important to question the validity of such information.

Question 5

Two researchers want to determine the opinion of the average U.S.citizen regarding gun control.One conducts his survey at a national fishing and hunting convention,while the other
Researcher surveys participants at a animal rights convention.Regarding the accuracy of
These survey results in determining the viewpoint of the average U.S.citizen,
A) the survey conducted at the animal rights convention would be more accurate.
B) the survey conducted at the national fishing and hunting convention would be more accurate.
C) the combination of the two surveys would produce a balanced and accurate set of
Results.
D) both samples would be considered biased.

Accepted Answer

Both samples would be considered biased. The sample taken at the national fishing and hunting convention would likely be biased towards individuals who are pro-gun and therefore, against gun control. Whereas the sample taken at the animal rights convention would likely be biased towards individuals who are anti-gun and therefore, in favor of gun control. Therefore, neither sample would be representative of the broader population of the average U.S. citizen's opinion on the issue of gun control.

Question 6

One of the limitations of the survey method is
A) observer bias.
B) that it sets up an artificial situation.
C) that replies may reflect social desirability.
D) that results cannot be generalized.

Accepted Answer

Surveys often rely on self-reported data, which can be influenced by the desire of respondents to present themselves in a favorable light. This phenomenon is known as social desirability bias, where participants may answer questions in a way they think is socially acceptable rather than how they truly feel or behave.

Question 7

When newspaper or magazine articles claim the effectiveness of some product or service,it is wise to
A) realize that the authenticity of the report has been thoroughly checked by the media.
B) be wary of overly complex explanations.
C) remember that truth is often stranger than fiction.
D) consider the source of the information.

Accepted Answer

Considering the source of the information is important because not all sources are reliable or unbiased. It is important to research the source to determine their credibility and potential biases before accepting the information as true.

Question 8

The modern media,and especially the Internet,function as a giant "echo chamber" awash with rumors,hoaxes,half-truths,and urban legends like the one about giant alligators living in
New York sewers.Therefore,as a critical thinker,you should
A) be skeptical.
B) be wary of overly complex explanation.
C) remember that truth is often stranger than fiction.
D) that numerous postings of information on the Internet are required to establish proof.

Accepted Answer

As mentioned in the statement, the Internet is filled with rumors, hoaxes, and half-truths. Therefore, being skeptical and using critical thinking skills to evaluate information is essential to avoid being misled.

Question 9

Senior seminar in psychology is open only to psychology majors,and all psychology majors at this college must complete the seminar to graduate.A random sample of students in this seminar is representative of all
A) college students in the U.S.
B) students at the college where the seminar is offered.
C) seniors at the college where the seminar is offered.
D) senior psychology majors at the college where the seminar is offered.

Accepted Answer

The seminar is open only to psychology majors, and only psychology majors at this college must complete the seminar to graduate. Therefore, the sample is only representative of senior psychology majors at the college where the seminar is offered.

Question 10

We can draw conclusions about a larger group of people by randomly selecting a smaller group.The entire larger group of people is known as the
A) natural clinical trial.
B) representative sample.
C) population.
D) conglomerate.

Accepted Answer

The entire larger group of people from which a smaller group is randomly selected for study or analysis is known as the population.

Question 11

A common method for selecting representative samples is to select them
A) randomly from the larger population.
B) strictly from volunteers.
C) independently by placing the surveys in popular magazines and newspapers.
D) from the confidential lists generated from mail order firms.

Accepted Answer

Random selection provides a fair and unbiased representation of the larger population. The other options may create biases and limitations in the sample selection process.

Question 12

A small,randomly selected part of a larger population that accurately reflects characteristics of the whole population is known as a
A) correlation group.
B) control group.
C) representative sample.
D) balance-bias sample.

Accepted Answer

A representative sample is the best choice because it accurately reflects characteristics of the whole population. A correlation group is a group of participants that are compared in terms of their scores on different variables, and a control group is a group that does not receive the experimental treatment and is compared to the experimental group. A balance-bias sample is not a commonly used term in statistics or research methodology.

Question 13

A researcher has surveyed several thousand introductory psychology students across the country regarding their views of dating.Because all of his participants were introductory
Psychology students,this researcher's findings
A) are totally invalidated.
B) will have limitations regarding their meaning.
C) are completely valid because all college students have to take introductory psychology.
D) cannot be published until they have been replicated at least two more times.

Accepted Answer

The fact that all participants were introductory psychology students means that the findings may only apply to this specific population and cannot be generalized to other groups. Therefore, the researcher's findings will have limitations regarding their meaning.

Question 14

Researchers conducting web-based research have trouble controlling who actually answers their on-line questionnaires,which places limits on their research due to
A) researcher bias.
B) research participant bias.
C) biased samples.
D) the Barnum effect.

Accepted Answer

Web-based research often results in biased samples because researchers cannot control who responds to their surveys. This means that the sample may not accurately represent the population being studied, as certain individuals may be overrepresented or underrepresented in the sample. This is different from researcher bias (A), which refers to the researcher's own biases influencing the study design or interpretation of results, and the Barnum effect (D), which refers to the tendency of people to believe vague or general statements about their personality or behavior that could apply to many different people. Research participant bias (B) may also be a concern in web-based research, as participants may not always answer honestly or accurately, but this answer choice is not as directly related to the issue of biased samples.

Question 15

The tendency of persons being surveyed to give polite or socially desirable answers is known as the
A) Barnum effect.
B) courtesy bias.
C) experimenter bias.
D) self-fulfilling prophecy.

Accepted Answer

The tendency of persons being surveyed to give polite or socially desirable answers is known as the courtesy bias. This is a common issue in survey research and can lead to inaccurate or biased results if not appropriately addressed.

Question 16

In survey studies,answers to questions regarding sex,drinking,drug use,income,and church attendance tend to be less than truthful,indicating a distinct
A) courtesy bias.
B) actor-observer bias.
C) halo effect.
D) Barnum effect.

Accepted Answer

A courtesy bias, also known as social desirability bias, occurs when individuals give answers that they believe are socially acceptable or desirable, rather than truthful answers. This often occurs in questions related to sensitive topics such as sex, drug use, and drinking. Therefore, choice A is the best answer. The other choices do not accurately describe this phenomenon.

Question 17

In conducting a survey on computer use,the fact that many people do not want to admit that they don't know how to use a computer is called a(n)
A) observer bias.
B) researcher bias.
C) non-representative sample.
D) courtesy bias.

Accepted Answer

Courtesy bias is the tendency of respondents to want to give socially desirable answers or to avoid appearing ignorant or incompetent. Therefore, some people may not want to admit that they do not know how to use a computer, leading to an overestimation of computer literacy in the survey results.

Question 18

We can draw conclusions about a larger group of people by randomly selecting a smaller group known as the
A) natural clinical trial.
B) representative sample.
C) population.
D) balanced-based segment.

Accepted Answer

A representative sample is a smaller group randomly selected from a larger population that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population. By analyzing the data from this sample, we can draw conclusions about the larger population. The other answer choices are not accurate or relevant to this concept.

Question 19

A local television station conducts what they refer to as "surveys," in which they ask viewers to call in their opinions to various topics.These "surveys" are not considered a scientific poll because the television station
A) does not allow subjects to e-mail their responses.
B) is using a biased sample.
C) limits the response to only 20 minutes.
D) does not separate the responses according to gender or race.

Accepted Answer

The use of call-ins from viewers creates a biased sample, as only those who choose to participate in the survey can be included. This does not provide a representative sample of the population and thus cannot be considered a scientific poll. The other answer choices do not necessarily impact the scientific validity of the survey.

Question 20

Meridian Community College has a total of 4,000 students.One hundred of these students are surveyed about the programs offered at the college.All of the students at the college would be the
A) population.
B) representative sample.
C) control group.
D) independent group.

Accepted Answer

The population refers to the entire group being studied, which in this case is all of the students at Meridian Community College. Therefore, A is the correct choice. B is incorrect because only 100 students were surveyed, making it a sample rather than a representative sample. C and D are incorrect as they do not apply to the question being asked.

Quiz 1: C: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods

Concerning Internet surveys,which of the following statements is FALSE?

An entire group of animals or people belonging to a particular category is called a

Meridian Community College has a total of 4,000 students.One hundred of these students are surveyed about the programs offered at the college.These 100 students surveyed would constitute the

Incredible but false stories posted on the Internet,such as "the health department in Oregon looking for someone fluent in the fictional language of Klingon," illustrates the need for readers to always

One of the limitations of the survey method is

When newspaper or magazine articles claim the effectiveness of some product or service,it is wise to

The modern media,and especially the Internet,function as a giant "echo chamber" awash with rumors,hoaxes,half-truths,and urban legends like the one about giant alligators living in New York sewers.Therefore,as a critical thinker,you should

Senior seminar in psychology is open only to psychology majors,and all psychology majors at this college must complete the seminar to graduate.A random sample of students in this seminar is representative of all

We can draw conclusions about a larger group of people by randomly selecting a smaller group.The entire larger group of people is known as the

A common method for selecting representative samples is to select them

A small,randomly selected part of a larger population that accurately reflects characteristics of the whole population is known as a

A researcher has surveyed several thousand introductory psychology students across the country regarding their views of dating.Because all of his participants were introductory Psychology students,this researcher's findings

Researchers conducting web-based research have trouble controlling who actually answers their on-line questionnaires,which places limits on their research due to

The tendency of persons being surveyed to give polite or socially desirable answers is known as the

In survey studies,answers to questions regarding sex,drinking,drug use,income,and church attendance tend to be less than truthful,indicating a distinct

In conducting a survey on computer use,the fact that many people do not want to admit that they don't know how to use a computer is called a(n)

We can draw conclusions about a larger group of people by randomly selecting a smaller group known as the

A local television station conducts what they refer to as "surveys," in which they ask viewers to call in their opinions to various topics.These "surveys" are not considered a scientific poll because the television station

Meridian Community College has a total of 4,000 students.One hundred of these students are surveyed about the programs offered at the college.All of the students at the college would be the