Deck 1: Introduction to Statistics

Question 1

Which of the following steps in the research process involves calculating statistics?

A) develop a research hypothesis to be tested
B) collect data
C) analyze data
D) draw a conclusion regarding the research hypothesis

Answer 1

analyze data

Question 2

When a researcher has determined that the data will come from responses to a survey, which step in the research process would this fall under?

A) collecting data
B) analyzing data
C) drawing conclusions regarding the research hypothesis
D) communicating the findings of the study

Answer 2

collecting data

Question 3

Generally, what is the first step in the research process?

A) develop a research hypothesis to be tested
B) collect data
C) analyze data
D) communicating the findings of the study

Answer 3

develop a research hypothesis to be tested

Question 4

"Group A will have the lowest scores on the test." What is the main problem with how this research hypothesis is stated?

A) It does not fully identify the dependent variable.
B) It does not fully identify the independent variable.
C) It does not indicate the direction of the relationship between variables.
D) It has been stated using words rather than numbers.

Question 5

A research hypothesis is best thought of as ______.

A) directional
B) an expected relationship between samples and populations
C) bimodal
D) developed at the end of a research study

Question 6

A research hypothesis may best be thought of as ______.

A) proof
B) a prediction
C) an idea
D) a decision

Question 7

The ______ uses objective and systematic collection and analysis of empirical data to test theories and hypotheses.

A) scientific method
B) theory construction
C) hypothesis formation
D) statistics

Question 8

The final step in the research hypothesis involves ______.

A) developing a research hypothesis to be tested
B) collecting data
C) analyzing data
D) communicating the findings of the study

Question 9

A research hypothesis is a ______ regarding the relationship between variables.

A) statistic
B) decision
C) question
D) statement

Question 10

Drawing a sample from a population, determining how the variables will be measured, and selecting a method by which to collect the data are all part of which step in the research process?

A) develop a research hypothesis to be tested
B) collect data
C) analyze data
D) draw a conclusion regarding the research hypothesis

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT one of the main steps or phases in the scientific method of inquiry?

A) collecting data
B) developing a null hypothesis
C) drawing conclusions regarding the research hypothesis
D) communicating the findings of the study

Question 12

Which step in the research process involves identifying the question or issue of interest?

A) develop a research hypothesis to be tested
B) collect data
C) analyze data
D) communicate the findings of the study

Question 13

Within a research hypothesis, the independent variable may be thought of as the ______ and the dependent variable may be thought of as the ______.

A) effect; cause
B) prediction; conclusion
C) cause; effect
D) question; answer

Question 14

The dependent variable may be thought of as the ______; the independent variable is the ______.

A) cause; outcome
B) goal; the way of achieving the goal
C) effect; cause
D) beginning; end

Question 15

Within a research hypothesis, the ______ variable may be thought of as the ______.

A) independent; outcome
B) independent; result
C) dependent; effect
D) dependent; cause

Question 16

A research hypothesis may be defined as a statement ______.

A) regarding a spurious relationship between variables
B) regarding a general question of interest
C) regarding an expected relationship between variables
D) developed at the end of a research study

Question 17

Within a research hypothesis, the ______ variable may be thought of as the ______.

A) independent; cause
B) independent; outcome
C) dependent; cause
D) dependent; beginning

Question 18

The independent variable is the variable that is ______ by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the variable ______ by the researcher.

A) manipulated; caused
B) measured; controlled
C) measured; manipulated
D) manipulated; measured

Question 19

"Women are much better than men." What is the main problem with how this research hypothesis is stated?

A) It does not fully identify the dependent variable.
B) It does not fully identify the independent variable.
C) It does not indicate the direction of the relationship.
D) It has been stated using words rather than numbers.

Question 20

"Americans are more likely to be obese." What is the main problem with how this research hypothesis has been stated?

A) It does not fully define the independent variable.
B) It does not fully define the dependent variable.
C) It does not indicate the direction of the relationship between variables.
D) It has been stated using words rather than numbers.

Question 21

A researcher hypothesizes that students who listen to classical music while studying will perform better on exams than students who study listening to rock. In this study, the independent variable is ______; the dependent variable is ______.

A) type of music; students
B) exam score; type of music
C) students; exam score
D) type of music; exam score

Question 22

Two researchers hypothesize that "parents who use more frequent verbal punishment...will report more problem behaviors in their children" (Brenner & Fox, 1998, p. 252). In this study, the dependent variable is ______.

A) parents
B) children
C) use of verbal punishment
D) number of problem behaviors reported

Question 23

A researcher hypothesizes that people aged 35-54 are more opposed to a governor's special election than either younger (<35) or older (>54) voters. In this study, the independent variable is ______.

A) people aged 35-54
B) age
C) attitude about the special election
D) the governor

Question 24

"Attitudes toward global warming vary as a function of political party." What is the main problem with how this research hypothesis has been stated?

A) It addresses a sensitive political issue.
B) It does not indicate the direction of the relationship between variables.
C) It does not identify the dependent variable included in the study.
D) It does not fully identify the independent variable included in the study.

Question 25

A researcher hypothesizes that people aged 35-54 are more opposed to a governor's special election than either younger (<35) or older (>54) voters. In this study, the dependent variable is ______.

A) people aged 35-54
B) age
C) attitude about the special election
D) the governor

Question 26

A researcher hypothesizes students who work full-time are less likely to graduate than students working part-time. In this study, the dependent variable is ______.

A) employment status
B) likelihood of graduation
C) students
D) full-time employees

Question 27

A researcher hypothesizes that students who work part-time have higher college GPAs than students with full-time jobs. In this study, the independent variable is ______; the dependent variable is ______.

A) college GPA; employment status
B) employment status; students
C) employment status; college GPA
D) students; college GPA

Question 28

At the beginning of a football game, a coin is flipped to decide which of the two teams will have possession of the ball first. A coach believes that winning the coin flip increases the likelihood of winning the game. In this situation, the independent variable is ______; the dependent variable is ______.

A) outcome of coin flip; outcome of game
B) winning the game; winning the coin flip
C) outcome of game; outcome of coin flip
D) team; outcome of game

Question 29

Two researchers hypothesize that "parents who use more frequent verbal punishment ... will report more problem behaviors in their children" (Brenner & Fox, 1998, p. 252). In this study, the independent variable is ______.

A) parents
B) children
C) use of verbal punishment
D) number of problem behaviors reported

Question 30

A recent medical study found that children who watch more than 4 hours of television a day were more likely to be obese (overweight) than children who watched less television. In this study, the independent variable is ______; the dependent variable is ______.

A) obesity; television viewing
B) children; television viewing
C) television viewing; obesity
D) children; obesity

Question 31

"I hypothesize there is no relationship between vaccinations and autism". What is the main problem with how this research hypothesis is stated?

A) It is not directional.
B) It does not say which type of statistic should be calculated.
C) It does not identify the variables.
D) It requires expertise in both medicine and psychology.

Question 32

Of the following hypotheses presented, which one is non-directional?

A) Older individuals have a lower perception of safety at night.
B) Women have a lower perception of safety at night.
C) Men have a higher perception of safety at night.
D) Younger and older individuals will differ on their perception of safety at night.

Question 33

A researcher hypothesizes students who work full-time are less likely to graduate than students working part-time. In this study, the independent variableis ______.

A) employment status
B) percentage
C) students
D) full-time employees

Question 34

"The voting patterns of Californians are different than New Yorkers." What is the main problem with how this research hypothesis has been stated?

A) It does not identify the independent variable.
B) It does not identify the dependent variable.
C) It does not indicate the direction of the relationship between variables.
D) It has been stated using words rather than numbers.

Question 35

A researcher hypothesizes that businesses that adopt telecommuting policies (allowing workers to work at home rather than have to drive to work) have lower turnover than businesses that do not have these policies. In this study, the dependent variable is ______.

A) businesses that adopt telecommuting policies
B) workers
C) lower turnover
D) turnover

Question 36

A researcher hypothesizes that businesses that adopt telecommuting policies (allowing workers to work at home rather than have to drive to work) have lower turnover than businesses that do not have these policies. In this study, the independent variable is ______.

A) businesses that adopt telecommuting policies
B) workers
C) lower turnover
D) turnover
E) telecommuting policies

Question 37

A researcher studying proposed changes to Social Security hypothesizes that people aged 35-54 are less in favor of his changes than either younger or older respondents. In this study, the independent variable is ______.

A) Social Security
B) age
C) attitude toward proposed changes
D) proposed changes

Question 38

Which of the following is an example of a directional hypothesis?

A) Women are more likely to experience higher levels of fear of crime.
B) Women are more likely to experience different levels of fear of crime.
C) Men are more likely to experience different levels of fear of crime.
D) Men and women will have equal levels of fear of crime.

Question 39

A salesman for the telephone company Yellow Pages tells store owners that the bigger their advertisement, the more calls they will receive from potential customers. In this situation, the dependent variable is ______.

A) bigger advertisements
B) customers
C) number of calls
D) size of advertisement

Question 40

A research team hypothesizes that "children will rate a disciplining strategy emphasizing logic and reason as more effective than one based on rewards and punishment" (Barnett et al., 1996, p. 414). In this study, the independent variable is ______.

A) children
B) type of disciplining strategy
C) logic and reason
D) effectiveness of disciplining strategy

Question 41

A recent study of college women hypothesized that "females with higher levels of depressive symptoms will be more likely to engage in casual sex than females with fewer symptoms" (Grello et al, 2006). In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) females
B) level of depressive symptoms
C) likeliness of engaging in casual sex
D) fewer symptoms

Question 42

A recent medical study found that children who watch more than 4 hours of television a day were more likely to be obese (overweight) than children who watched less television. In this study, the independent variable is ______.

A) obesity
B) 4 hours of television
C) time spent watching television
D) children watching television

Question 43

A researcher studying the results of the most recent election hypothesizes that people who attend church regularly were more likely to oppose same sex marriage than non-church goers. In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) the results of the most recent election
B) beliefs regarding same sex marriage
C) people who attend church regularly
D) church attendance

Question 44

A researcher studying gambling behavior finds that people playing bingo will bet more money when they are allowed to choose their bingo cards than when they do not have this choice. In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) studying gambling behavior
B) amount of money bet
C) ability to choose cards
D) people playing bingo

Question 45

In the journal Cyber Psychology and Behavior, a researcher asked, "Are students who report higher degrees of loneliness more likely to form new online relationships than other students with lower degrees of loneliness?" (Bonebrake, 2002). In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) likelihood of forming online relationships
B) degree of loneliness
C) type of relationship
D) students

Question 46

A recent study of college women hypothesized that "females with higher levels of depressive symptoms will be more likely to engage in casual sex than females with fewer symptoms" (Grello et al, 2006). In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) females
B) level of depressive symptoms
C) likeliness of engaging in casual sex
D) fewer symptoms

Question 47

A researcher studying gambling behavior finds that people playing bingo will bet more money when they are allowed to choose their bingo cards than when they do not have this choice. In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) studying gambling behavior
B) amount of money bet
C) ability to choose cards
D) people playing bingo

Question 48

"We hypothesized that parents who use more frequent verbal punishment...will report more problem behaviors in their children" (Brenner & Fox, 1998, p. 252). In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) problem behaviors reported
B) parents
C) children
D) use of verbal punishment

Question 49

A team of researchers "predicted that men who believe that a woman was attracted to them would act on their belief and behave relatively more flirtatiously toward the woman than would men having no such belief" (Ridge & Reber, 2002). In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) men who believe that a woman was attracted to them
B) gender
C) belief regarding a woman's attraction
D) amount of flirtatious behavior

Question 50

Two researchers hypothesize "consumers would think that a 'sale price' presentation would generate a greater monetary savings than an 'everyday low price' presentation" (Tom & Ruiz, 1997). In this study, the dependent variable is ______.

A) monetary savings
B) consumers
C) "sale price" presentation
D) type of presentation

Question 51

In the journal Cyber Psychology and Behavior, a researcher asked, "Are students who report higher degrees of loneliness more likely to form new online relationships than other students with lower degrees of loneliness?" (Bonebrake, 2002). In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) likelihood of forming online relationships
B) degree of loneliness
C) type of relationship
D) students

Question 52

In the journal Cyber Psychology and Behavior, a team of researchers hypothesize "Heavy users of online games have less fulfilling interpersonal relationships than individuals who spend very little or no time playing online games" (Lo et al, 2005). In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) satisfaction with interpersonal relationships
B) heavy users of online games
C) less fulfilling interpersonal relationships
D) amount of time playing online games

Question 53

A recent medical study found that children who watch more than 4 hours of television a day were more likely to be obese (overweight) than children who watched less television. In this study, the dependent variable is ______.

A) obesity
B) 4 hours of television
C) time spent watching television
D) children watching television

Question 54

One study found that college students' grades in Introductory Psychology (Psy 1) was a better predictor of their GPA within the Psychology major than their SAT scores (Meeker et al, 1994). In this study, the dependent variable is ______.

A) Introductory Psychology
B) predictor of GPA within the Psychology major
C) GPA within the major
D) college students

Question 55

Two researchers hypothesize "consumers would think that a 'sale price' presentation would generate a greater monetary savings than an 'everyday low price' presentation" (Tom & Ruiz, 1997). In this study, the independent variable is ______.

A) monetary savings
B) consumers
C) "sale price" presentation
D) type of presentation

Question 56

In the journal Cyber Psychology and Behavior, a team of researchers hypothesize "Heavy users of online games have less fulfilling interpersonal relationships than individuals who spend very little or no time playing online games" (Lo et al, 2005). In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) satisfaction with interpersonal relationships
B) heavy users of online games
C) less fulfilling interpersonal relationships
D) amount of time playing online games

Question 57

"We hypothesized that parents who use more frequent verbal punishment...will report more problem behaviors in their children" (Brenner & Fox, 1998, p. 252).In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) problem behaviors reported
B) parents
C) children
D) use of verbal punishment

Question 58

A team of researchers "predicted that men who believe that a woman was attracted to them would act on their belief and behave relatively more flirtatiously toward the woman than would men having no such belief" (Ridge & Reber, 2002). In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) men who believe that a woman was attracted to them
B) gender
C) belief regarding a woman's attraction
D) amount of flirtatious behavior

Question 59

A research team hypothesizes that "children will rate a disciplining strategy emphasizing logic and reason as more effective than one based on rewards and punishment" (Barnett et al, 1996, p. 414). In this study, the dependent variable is ______.

A) children
B) type of disciplining strategy
C) logic and reason
D) effectiveness of disciplining strategy

Question 60

One study found that college students' grades in Introductory Psychology (Psy 1) was a better predictor of their GPA within the Psychology major than their SAT scores (Meeker et al., 1994). In this study, the independent variable is ______.

A) Introductory Psychology
B) predictor of GPA within the Psychology major
C) GPA within the major
D) college students

Question 61

"College students will rate instructors who dress formally . In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) instructors' clothing
B) college students
C) instructors
D) rating of expertise

Question 62

"College students will rate instructors who dress formally . In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) instructors' clothing
B) college students
C) instructors
D) rating of expertise

Question 63

A student at the university is studying the effect of race, class, and gender on one's view of the death penalty. Which variable would be the dependent variable in this research?

A) race
B) class
C) gender
D) views on the death penalty

Question 64

A study of people who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina hypothesized that "greater amounts of television viewing (about the hurricane) would predict greater levels of depression" (McLeish & Del Ben, 2008). In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) Hurricane Katrina
B) level of depression
C) amount of television viewing
D) whether the person lost his or her home

Question 65

A recent study found that the more impulsive a person is, the more likely he or she will prefer to drink sweet white wines rather than dry white wines (Saliba, Wragg, & Richardson, 2009). In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) type of wine preferred
B) level of impulsivity
C) wine drinkers
D) white wine

Question 66

A researcher is analyzing data to understand the difference in men's and women's fear of crime. One of the research hypotheses to be tested is: Those who have been prior victims of crime will have higher levels of fear. Which of the following is the dependent variable in the research hypothesis?

A) gender
B) prior victimization
C) fear of crime
D) none of these

Question 67

A person conducting research asks customers at a grocery store, "Which is your favorite snack cracker?" This variable may best be described as being measured at the ______ level of measurement.

A) nominal
B) ordinal
C) interval
D) ratio

Question 68

A recent study found that the more impulsive a person is, the more likely he or she will prefer to drink sweet white wines rather than dry white wines (Saliba, Wragg, & Richardson, 2009). In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) type of wine preferred
B) level of impulsivity
C) wine drinkers
D) white wine

Question 69

One study examined an Indian theory of architectural design that aligning buildings with the earth's magnetic field and the movement of the sun leads to positive outcomes for the building's inhabitants (Travis et al, 2005). More specifically, they hypothesized that homes that have front doors facing the south will experience more burglaries than homes facing the other directions (north, west, east). In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) number of burglaries
B) homes
C) location of the front door
D) the earth's magnetic field and the movement of the sun

Question 70

A political consultant asks voters which candidate they plan on voting for in the upcoming California election. Their answers to his question comprise a variable measured at the ______ level of measurement.

A) nominal
B) ordinal
C) interval
D) ratio

Question 71

A researcher studying the results of the most recent election hypothesizes that people who attend church regularly were more likely to oppose same sex marriage than non-church goers. In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) the results of the most recent election
B) beliefs regarding same sex marriage
C) people who attend church regularly
D) church attendance

Question 72

One study examined an Indian theory of architectural design that aligning buildings with the earth's magnetic field and the movement of the sun leads to positive outcomes for the building's inhabitants (Travis et al, 2005). More specifically, they hypothesized that homes that have front doors facing the south will experience more burglaries than homes facing the other directions (north, west, east). In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) number of burglaries
B) homes
C) location of the front door
D) the earth's magnetic field and the movement of the sun

Question 73

A researcher asks people whether they are either "in favor", "against", or "not sure" about the war in Iraq. This variable may best be described as being measured at the ______ level of measurement.

A) nominal
B) ordinal
C) interval
D) ratio

Question 74

The relationship between samples and populations may be described as ______.

A) smaller the sample, the more it resembles the population
B) a population is a subset of a sample
C) researchers test research hypotheses about populations by collecting data from samples
D) researchers draw conclusions about samples based on data collected from populations

Question 75

A study of people who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina hypothesized that "greater amounts of television viewing (about the hurricane) would predict greater levels of depression" (McLeish & Del Ben, 2008). In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) Hurricane Katrina
B) level of depression
C) amount of television viewing
D) whether the person lost his or her home

Question 76

A researcher asks people to indicate their area code (408, 510, 415, etc.) This variable may best be described as being measured at the ______ level of measurement.

A) nominal
B) ordinal
C) interval
D) ratio

Question 77

One research study stated that "daughters of divorced parents are hypothesized to exhibit higher levels of promiscuity than sons of divorced parents" (Cooney, 1994). In this study, the independent variable is best described as ______.

A) divorced parents
B) level of promiscuity
C) gender of child
D) daughters

Question 78

The relationship between samples and populations may be described as ______.

A) researchers collect data from populations in order to test hypotheses about samples
B) researchers calculate descriptive statistics on populations and inferential statistics on samples
C) the larger the sample, the more it resembles the population
D) populations are a subset of samples

Question 79

A research asks people to indicate their zip code (35023, 35214, 35466, etc.). This variable may best be described as being measured at the ______ level of measurement.

A) nominal
B) ordinal
C) interval
D) ratio

Question 80

One research study stated that "daughters of divorced parents are hypothesized to exhibit higher levels of promiscuity than sons of divorced parents" (Cooney, 1994). In this study, the dependent variable is best described as ______.

A) divorced parents
B) level of promiscuity
C) gender of child
D) daughters