Question 1

At Folger University, Drs. Chase and Sanborn are conducting an experiment on the effects of caffeine on memory. Participants are randomly assigned to a caffeine or a no-caffeine group; later, their recall of items on a word list is assessed. In which answer does the pair correctly identify a variable in this experiment?
A) caffeine-dependent variable
B) word recall-experimental variable
C) caffeine-independent variable
D) word recall-independent variable

Accepted Answer

Caffeine is the independent variable because it is the condition being manipulated by the researchers to observe its effect on memory recall.

Question 2

A placebo is given to members of the ______ group.
A) control
B) dependent
C) experimental
D) independent

Accepted Answer

A placebo is given to the control group to serve as a comparison for the experimental group, which receives the actual treatment or intervention being studied. The control group is used to demonstrate the effect of the treatment by comparing it to the group that did not receive the treatment.

Question 3

The ability to make valid inferences regarding the effect of the independent on the dependent variable depends on ______ validity.
A) external
B) internal
C) sample
D) inferential

Accepted Answer

Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study can ensure that the independent variable is the only factor influencing the dependent variable. In other words, it measures whether the observed changes in the dependent variable can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable. Therefore, having internal validity is crucial for making valid inferences about the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. External validity refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other populations or settings. Sample validity and inferential validity are not relevant to this question.

Question 4

In an experimental test of the effects of Vitamin B-12 on problem-solving performance, ______ is the independent variable, and ______ is the dependent variable.
A) problem-solving performance; the vitamin
B) problem-solving performance; a placebo
C) the vitamin; problem-solving performance
D) a placebo; the vitamin

Accepted Answer

In an experimental test, the independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulates, which in this case is Vitamin B-12. The dependent variable is the variable that is measured, and which is affected by the independent variable, which in this case is problem-solving performance. Therefore, the best choice is C: the vitamin is the independent variable, and problem-solving performance is the dependent variable.

Question 5

______ is the process by which scientists look at the available evidence and then use reasoning to reach a conclusion.
A) Logic
B) Inference
C) Observation
D) Belief

Accepted Answer

Inference is the process of taking available information and drawing a conclusion based on that information. Logic is the system of reasoning used to form those inferences. Observation involves collecting data and information from the world around us, while belief is a personal conviction or opinion that may or may not be based on evidence.

Question 6

Drew is running a study on the effects of alcohol on memory recall. He has two groups: one that receives alcohol and one that receives water. He checks in on the progress of the alcohol group more frequently and may have given that group more instructions. The MOST obvious weakness of Drew's study is ______.
A) placebo effects
B) experimenter effects
C) internal validity
D) generalizability

Accepted Answer

Experimenter effects refer to the unintentional influence of the experimenter on the participants or the study results. Drew's more frequent check-ins and additional instructions given to the alcohol group can create bias in the study results as the experimenter may be inadvertently influencing the memory recall of the alcohol group. This reduces the validity of the study.

Question 7

Generalizability is a synonym for
A) external validity but not internal validity
B) internal validity but not external validity
C) either internal or external validity
D) neither internal nor external validity

Accepted Answer

Generalizability refers to the extent to which the findings from a study can be applied to a larger population. External validity is the degree to which the findings can be generalized to other populations or settings, while internal validity is the degree to which the study provides evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship between the variables being studied. Therefore, generalizability is a synonym for external validity but not internal validity.

Question 8

According to the textbook, ______ variables change along with the independent variable, making it difficult to pinpoint actual causes.
A) correlative
B) blind
C) dependent
D) confounding

Accepted Answer

Confounding variables are variables that are not being studied but can have an effect on the dependent variable, making it difficult to determine the true relationship between the independent and dependent variables. These variables can change along with the independent variable, creating confusion about the actual cause of any observed effects on the dependent variable.

Question 9

Untended variables that operate in conjunction with the independent variable making the experimental effect harder to find are referred to as ______ variables.
A) external
B) subject
C) confounding
D) dependent

Accepted Answer

Confounding variables are variables that are related to both the independent variable and the dependent variable and can interfere with the relationship between them, making it difficult to determine the true effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. External variables can refer to any variable that is not directly related to the experiment, subject variables refer to characteristics of the participants, and dependent variables are the outcome of the experiment that are measured.

Question 10

A population is BEST described as
A) the participants included in a research study
B) the participant group that does not receive the independent variable
C) the participant group that is exposed to the independent variable
D) the larger group of individuals to which the results can be generalized

Accepted Answer

A population refers to the larger group of individuals to which the results can be generalized. It is the group that the researcher is interested in studying and making conclusions about. The participants included in a research study (option A) are a sample, not the population itself. The participant group that does not receive the independent variable (option B) is a control group, which is only one part of the study and does not represent the entire population. The participant group that is exposed to the independent variable (option C) is an experimental group, which is again only one part of the study and does not represent the entire population.

Question 11

Wood and colleagues (2009) examined the value of self-affirmation. In a typical study, participants either engaged or did not engage in self-affirmations. Later, their current self-esteem was assessed. Which of the following answers correctly names and identifies the variables in this study?
A) independent variable-self-affirmations; dependent variable-self-esteem scores
B) independent variable-self-esteem scores; dependent variable-self-affirmations
C) experimental variable-self-affirmations; control variable-self-esteem scores
D) experimental variable-self-esteem scores; control variable-self-affirmations

Accepted Answer

The independent variable in this study is whether or not the participants engage in self-affirmations, and the dependent variable is their current self-esteem scores. The other options incorrectly identify the variables or use the terms "experimental" and "control" inappropriately.

Question 12

Chris is interested in how multitasking influences performance on a memory test. One group of participants takes only the memory test. The second group performs the memory test while simultaneously sorting cards or listening to music. In Chris's experiment, the dependent variable is ______.
A) performance on the distractor task
B) multitasking
C) distractor task
D) performance on the memory test

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable that is measured in the experiment and is affected by the independent variable. In this case, the independent variable is multitasking (performing the memory test while also sorting cards or listening to music), and the dependent variable is performance on the memory test. Therefore, the best choice is D, as it is the variable that is being measured and affected by the independent variable.

Question 13

A psychopathologist wishes to compare the prevalence of suicidal ideation among a sample of people with major depressive disorder to the prevalence of such ideation among a sample of those without the disorder. It is critical that the two groups be as similar as possible with regard to factors unrelated to the research question. This concern is BEST addressed using a ______.
A) double-blind study
B) longitudinal study
C) match subjects design
D) randomized control trial

Accepted Answer

A match subjects design involves matching participants in the two groups based on variables that may be related to the research question, which can increase the internal validity of the study by reducing potential confounding variables. This is the best option for ensuring similarity between the two groups in this scenario. Double-blind studies and randomized control trials are experimental designs that are not applicable to this scenario, and a longitudinal study is not necessary as the prevalence of suicidal ideation is being compared at a single point in time.

Question 14

______ is NOT among the major steps in designing an experimental study, as they are outlined in the textbook.
A) Participant selection
B) Interpretation of relation between IV and DV
C) Statistic selection
D) Participant assignment

Accepted Answer

The major steps in designing an experimental study, as outlined in the textbook, include participant selection, participant assignment, manipulation of the independent variable, measurement of the dependent variable, and interpretation of the relation between the independent and dependent variables. However, the selection of the appropriate statistical analysis is not explicitly listed as one of the major steps. It is important, but it is treated as a separate consideration once the experiment has been designed and data have been collected.

Question 15

Which of the following is an effective control for placebo effects?
A) blind controls
B) random assignment
C) counterbalancing
D) demand characteristics

Accepted Answer

Blind controls, where participants do not know whether they are receiving the treatment or a placebo, effectively minimize placebo effects by preventing participants' expectations from influencing the outcome.

Question 16

A study of identical twins may be considered an ideal example of a ______.
A) double-blind study
B) match subjects design
C) linkage analysis
D) randomized control trial

Accepted Answer

A match subjects design compares two subjects who are identical or nearly identical in all relevant variables except the variable being tested. Identical twins are a perfect example of this as they share the same genetic makeup and similar environmental factors. Double-blind studies, linkage analyses, and randomized control trials all involve different types of experimental designs and are not directly applicable to a study of identical twins.

Question 17

Amy is interested in the effect of caffeine on memory recall. She is testing two groups. One group receives coffee, and the other drinks water. The group receiving only water to drink is referred to as the ______ group.
A) blind
B) confound
C) control
D) experimental

Accepted Answer

The control group receives a placebo or no treatment and is used as a comparison for the experimental group that receives the treatment. In this case, the control group receives water as a placebo for the coffee treatment given to the experimental group. The blind group refers to a group of participants who are unaware of whether they are receiving the treatment or the placebo, and confound is a variable that is unintentionally affecting the results.

Question 18

The purpose of a randomized control trial is to
A) determine how likely it is that the results of a treatment were due to chance
B) ensure that sample results generalize to the population
C) ensure that participant characteristics are equivalent across the experimental and control groups
D) determine whether two variables are related

Accepted Answer

Randomized control trials aim to ensure that participant characteristics are equivalent across the experimental and control groups. This is achieved by randomly assigning participants to either the treatment group or the control group, minimizing the risk of bias and ensuring that any differences observed are likely due to the treatment itself rather than pre-existing differences between the groups.

Question 19

A ______ controls for both known and unknown confounding variables by ensuring that groups are equal before the experiment begins.
A) randomized control trial
B) double-blind experiment
C) match subjects design
D) longitudinal study

Accepted Answer

A randomized control trial controls for both known and unknown confounding variables by randomly assigning participants to either the treatment or the control group, ensuring that groups are equal before the experiment begins. This randomization process helps to eliminate bias and makes it more likely that outcomes can be attributed to the treatment rather than to external factors.

Question 20

A pharmaceutical company wishes to test the efficacy of a new antidepressant with a double-blind procedure. Which answer correctly describes the procedure the company would use?
A) The research assistants would know which participants were receiving the new drug and which were receiving an inert pill. Each participant would also know which type of pill he or she was taking.
B) The research assistants would know which participants were receiving the new drug and which were receiving an inert pill. Each participant, though, would not know which type of pill he or she was taking.
C) The research assistants would not know which participants were receiving the new drug and which were receiving an inert pill. Each participant, though, would know which type of pill he or she was taking.
D) The research assistants would not know which participants were receiving the new drug and which were receiving an inert pill. Also, each participant would not know which type of pill he or she was taking.

Accepted Answer

In a double-blind procedure, neither the participants nor the research assistants know who is receiving the active medication and who is receiving the placebo. This helps to eliminate bias in the study's results.

Quiz 3: Research Methods

A placebo is given to members of the ______ group.

The ability to make valid inferences regarding the effect of the independent on the dependent variable depends on ______ validity.

In an experimental test of the effects of Vitamin B-12 on problem-solving performance, is the independent variable, and is the dependent variable.

______ is the process by which scientists look at the available evidence and then use reasoning to reach a conclusion.

Generalizability is a synonym for

According to the textbook, ______ variables change along with the independent variable, making it difficult to pinpoint actual causes.

Untended variables that operate in conjunction with the independent variable making the experimental effect harder to find are referred to as ______ variables.

A population is BEST described as

Wood and colleagues (2009) examined the value of self-affirmation. In a typical study, participants either engaged or did not engage in self-affirmations. Later, their current self-esteem was assessed. Which of the following answers correctly names and identifies the variables in this study?

Chris is interested in how multitasking influences performance on a memory test. One group of participants takes only the memory test. The second group performs the memory test while simultaneously sorting cards or listening to music. In Chris's experiment, the dependent variable is ______.

______ is NOT among the major steps in designing an experimental study, as they are outlined in the textbook.

Which of the following is an effective control for placebo effects?

A study of identical twins may be considered an ideal example of a ______.

Amy is interested in the effect of caffeine on memory recall. She is testing two groups. One group receives coffee, and the other drinks water. The group receiving only water to drink is referred to as the ______ group.

The purpose of a randomized control trial is to

A ______ controls for both known and unknown confounding variables by ensuring that groups are equal before the experiment begins.

A pharmaceutical company wishes to test the efficacy of a new antidepressant with a double-blind procedure. Which answer correctly describes the procedure the company would use?