Exam 3: Variables, Research Questions, and Hypotheses

A researcher is studying a group of seizure patients. The patients are categorized according to degree of seizure activity as low, medium, high. Degree of seizure activity is an attribute variable.

Associational questions usually have many levels of the independent and dependent variable.

A researcher wants to know if an experimental "Smoke Out" class for girls compared to aregular girls' health class at another school will significantly decrease smoking in highschool students. She also wants to know whether student grade level (9-12) makes adifference. Match accordingly. (You may use each letter choice more than once.) -Active independent variable(s):

A researcher is interested in the effects of hair color on kindergarten adjustment among five-yearolds. The researcher limits the study to blondes, brunettes, redheads, and "other." The researchermeasures adjustment using an "Inappropriate Classroom Behavior" standardized assessment toolthat the teacher completes about each student. -The independent variable is active, nonmanipulated.

A researcher is interested in the effects of hair color on kindergarten adjustment among five-yearolds. The researcher limits the study to blondes, brunettes, redheads, and "other." The researchermeasures adjustment using an "Inappropriate Classroom Behavior" standardized assessment toolthat the teacher completes about each student. -Kindergarten adjustment is an operational definition.

A researcher is interested in the effects of hair color on kindergarten adjustment among five-yearolds. The researcher limits the study to blondes, brunettes, redheads, and "other." The researchermeasures adjustment using an "Inappropriate Classroom Behavior" standardized assessment toolthat the teacher completes about each student. -There are three levels of the independent variable.

A researcher is interested in the effects of hair color on kindergarten adjustment among five-yearolds. The researcher limits the study to blondes, brunettes, redheads, and "other." The researchermeasures adjustment using an "Inappropriate Classroom Behavior" standardized assessment toolthat the teacher completes about each student. -There are four levels of the dependent variable.

Scores on a single variable are described in terms of their central tendency, variability, or percentage. These are answers to what type of research question?

Match the type of variable with its definition. -Uncontrolled variable that can influence a study:

A researcher wants to know if an experimental "Smoke Out" class for girls compared to aregular girls' health class at another school will significantly decrease smoking in highschool students. She also wants to know whether student grade level (9-12) makes adifference. Match accordingly. (You may use each letter choice more than once.) -Population:

Match the type of variable with its definition. -A variable that the investigator can manipulate to cause a change:

Something that varies from high to low, such as math aptitude, is an example of a level.

How can you tell the difference between a variable and a level?

A researcher wants to know if an experimental "Smoke Out" class for girls compared to aregular girls' health class at another school will significantly decrease smoking in highschool students. She also wants to know whether student grade level (9-12) makes adifference. Match accordingly. (You may use each letter choice more than once.) -Attribute independent variable(s):

A researcher is interested in the effects of hair color on kindergarten adjustment among five-yearolds. The researcher limits the study to blondes, brunettes, redheads, and "other." The researchermeasures adjustment using an "Inappropriate Classroom Behavior" standardized assessment toolthat the teacher completes about each student. -The levels of the independent variable are nominal.

A study was looking at math test scores across gender/sex, in this case the independent variable has two levels.

Gender is an example of a variable with many levels.

A researcher is studying radiation outcomes of two groups of patients who have been treated at either Clinic A or Clinic B. Radiation therapy is an example of an active, manipulated independent variable.

Match the type of variable with its definition. -A variable that is a characteristic of the population:

Test anxiety is a variable that must be operationally defined.