Chat with AIExam 9: Nonexperimental Research
The Pearson product-moment correlation:
(39) 
VerifiedB
Even though we cannot achieve random assignment to various demographic categories (e.g., we cannot randomly assign some participants to be male and some to be female), is there ever a situation where we would be able to make causal inferences about a demographic characteristic (e.g., sex, race/ethnicity, age, marital status, political orientation)? Why or why not? What would that situation be? What if you collected qualitative data, wherein many respondents spontaneously reported that they held a certain attitude because they were male [female] - could we conclude there is a causal relationship in that example?
(37) 
Answered by Examlex AI CopilotYes, there are situations where we can make causal inferences about demographic characteristics. One such situation is when there is a natural or quasi-experiment that allows for the comparison of different demographic groups. For example, if a policy or intervention is implemented that affects one demographic group but not another, we can compare the outcomes of the two groups to make causal inferences about the impact of the demographic characteristic on the outcome.
Additionally, if we collected qualitative data and many respondents spontaneously reported that they held a certain attitude because of their demographic characteristic (e.g., being male or female), we could potentially conclude that there is a causal relationship in that example. However, it is important to note that qualitative data alone may not be sufficient to establish a causal relationship, and additional evidence from quantitative studies or experiments would be needed to support such a conclusion.
Two researchers hypothesized that people's short-term memory capacity would be related to their IQ score; however, when they computed the correlation between these two variables, the correlation was 0.00. What are three possible explanations for why they might have obtained a zero correlation?
(38) Answered by Examlex AI Copilot1. Measurement error: It is possible that there was a problem with the way the researchers measured short-term memory capacity or IQ score. If the measurements were not accurate or reliable, it could have resulted in a zero correlation between the two variables.
2. Sample characteristics: The sample of participants used in the study may not have been representative of the general population. If the sample was not diverse or if there were specific characteristics of the participants that influenced the results, it could have led to a zero correlation between short-term memory capacity and IQ score.
3. Non-linear relationship: It is possible that the relationship between short-term memory capacity and IQ score is not linear. If the relationship is more complex, such as a curvilinear or non-monotonic relationship, it could result in a zero correlation when using a linear correlation coefficient like Pearson's r. In this case, a different statistical analysis method may be needed to accurately assess the relationship between the two variables.
Given that path analyses and structural equation models are fundamentally correlational designs, do they mislead readers by suggesting a particular series of events occurs, usually from left to right, to explain the relationships between exogenous predictors, endogenous predictors, and criterion? Should these models instead be visualized in such a way that readers are less likely to interpret the model as "A leads to B, which leads to C, which leads to D?"
(40) Two researchers wanted to investigate the relationships between the Big Five personality traits (i.e., openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) and right wing authoritarianism, as well as how these factors combined to predict people's attitudes toward public schools. They conducted a survey to assess respondent's scores on these seven variables. What would be the most appropriate design to analyze these relationships?
(33) Sometimes, variables we are interested in researching are such that participants arrive at a study with preexisting levels of these characteristics. Accordingly, these variables cannot be experimentally manipulated. Which of the following are example(s) of variables that cannot be manipulated?
(34) Partial correlation - correct vs. incorrect interpretation?
A study predicting the quality of children's classroom experiences conducted across a number of public and private schools in a given jurisdiction would be most suited for which type of analysis?
(35) In structural equation modeling, exogenous variables __________, and endogenous variables __________. (choose the most accurate response)
(48) Define the terms "latent factor," "measurement model," and "disturbance." What role does each play in the structural equation modeling technique?
(24) Often, researchers are interested in variables that cannot be experimentally manipulated (e.g., gender differences, personality differences), and how these variables influence a criterion (e.g., voting behavior, resistance to persuasion). Although we cannot determine causality between such variables, there are some benefits to nonexperimental designs. What is the major advantage to using nonexperimental designs that cannot be obtained from experimental studies where all levels of the independent variables are manipulated? In other words, what information about the relationship between predictor and criterion variables can we obtain in nonexperimental designs but not necessarily in experimental designs? Be sure to explain why this is so.
(33) What are the key differences between correlational analysis and regression analysis?
(44) Which of the following statistical analyses can be used with nonexperimental (i.e., correlational) research designs? (circle all that apply; if you choose e or f, just circle e or
(37) Researchers wanted to investigate the relationships between number of years of school completed, whether students have had primarily male, female, or equal proportions of male and female teachers, and academic aptitude. To encompass as representative a sample as possible, researchers recruited all 6th, 9th, and 12th grade cohorts from each of 150 schools around the country. To test the effects of number of years in school and teachers' gender on scholastic aptitude, which nonexperimental research design is most appropriate?
(27) Take the hypothesized relationship between similarity, reciprocity, and liking, where similarity predicts liking of another person, but because individuals assume that the person will like them back (reciprocity). The portion of the similarity-liking connection that is explained by reciprocity is an example of:
(31) Which of the following is not desired when fitting a structural equation model:
(32) For the following structural equation model, list the possible direct and indirect effects.
The correlation between two variables in a study was extremely low, and much lower than expected (r = 0.01). Which of the following statements could be feasible explanations for the small observed relationship between X and Y?
(33) Which statement best describes the term: coefficient of determination?
(37) 
Filters
- Essay(0)
- Multiple Choice(0)
- Short Answer(0)
- True False(0)
- Matching(0)