Question 1

Dr. Wilkins randomly assigns subjects to one of two groups. He is interested in the effects of caffeine on anxiety levels. He gives subjects in the first group an extra two cups of coffee a day for six months. The second group receives an extra two cups of decaffeinated coffee a day for the same time period. Importantly, subjects do not know whether they are being given regular or decaffeinated coffee. By providing one group with decaffeinated coffee, Dr. Wilkins is trying to account for which potential element of the experiment?

Accepted Answer

A)   participant fraud
B)   inter-rater reliability
C)   the placebo effect
D)   variability C

Question 2

The scores on most standardized tests have a __________________ distribution.

Accepted Answer

A)   normal
B)   positively skewed
C)   negatively skewed
D)   bimodal A

Question 3

Ecological validity refers to:

Accepted Answer

A)   whether the results of a laboratory study can be applied to the real world.
B)   the impact of a scientific study on the environment.
C)   the degree to which animal research can be applied to humans.
D)   the degree to which naturalistic research techniques are used. A

Question 4

For security and confidentiality reasons, once the results of a study are reported in a journal or at a conference the data should be destroyed.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

In an experiment, the group of subjects to which the experimental group is compared is called the:
a. comparison group.
b. standard group.
c. confederate group.
d. control group.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In an experiment, the group of subjects...

Question 6

If all of the scores in a distribution are clustered closely together, the distribution has ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)   low variability
B)   high variability
C)   a positive skew
D)   a negative skew

Question 7

Collecting objective data without interference in the subject's normal environment is associated with:
a. survey research.
b. applied research.
c. laboratory research.
d. naturalistic observation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Collecting objective data without interference in the...

Question 8

What is the best way to reduce the social desirability bias in research?

Accepted Answer

A)   use random sampling
B)   provide anonymity and confidentiality
C)   use random assignment
D)   submit the research to peer review

Question 9

Professor Wagner is explaining to his subjects the purpose behind the experiment they just participated in, along with a general description of the results. He is engaging in what aspect of a research study?

Accepted Answer

A)   debriefing
B)   informed consent
C)   institutional review
D)   deception

Question 10

The method of psychological research which utilizes a control group, a dependent variable, and an independent variable is
a. the experiment.
b. the survey.
c. the case study.
d. naturalistic observation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The method of psychological research which utilizes...

Question 11

In an experiment, the "measurable aspect of the behavior of the subject" is called the __________ variable.
a. dependent
b. focal
c. independent
d. control

Accepted Answer

The answer of In an experiment, the "measurable aspect of...

Question 12

The survey method of research is ___________ in nature.
a. correlational
b. experimental
c. field experimental
d. both correlational and field experimental group

Accepted Answer

The answer of The survey method of research is ___________...

Question 13

An administrator believes that the placement of motivational posters on the walls in classrooms of academic buildings will lead to increased GPAs (grade point averages) at his school. To test his theory, he randomly assigns certain classrooms within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to have the posters while others do not. None of the remaining four academic colleges have any posters placed in their classrooms. What is the independent variable in this study?

Accepted Answer

A)   academic college
B)   classroom wall hangings
C)   gender of the student
D)   grade point average

Question 14

In a single-blind study, the participants do not know the purpose of the study or the condition to which they are assigned. What is the difference in a double-blind study?

Accepted Answer

A)   The researcher tells the participants the purpose and their assigned conditions in the study.
B)   The participants also do not know when the actual study begins or ends.
C)   The researcher also does not know which condition the participants are in.
D)   The participants know to which condition they have been assigned, but the researcher does not.

Question 15

Ursula works in an office. One day, her boss tells her that researchers will be in the office to observe productivity. Because she knows she is being observed, Ursula finds that she is working harder than she normally does. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

A)   the placebo effect.
B)   the Heisenberg principle
C)   a single-blind study
D)   the Hawthorne effect

Question 16

The degree to which one set of results can be applied to other situations, individuals, or events is called __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   objectivity
B)   reliability
C)   validity
D)   generalizability

Question 17

To study the effect of subliminal advertising on consumer behavior, participants were randomly assigned to either watch a movie with or without subliminal advertising. The group of participants that saw the movie without the ads is called _________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of To study the effect of subliminal advertising...

Question 18

An experiment is conducted to test the hypothesis that taking gingko supplements increases memory. Participants are randomly assigned to receive gingko or placebo pills for a month and then their memory is tested. If the gingko group's average test score is 3 points higher than the placebo group, can the researchers conclude that the results support the hypothesis? If not, what do the researchers need to do to determine if the results support the results or not?
Module: 2.4

Accepted Answer

The answer of An experiment is conducted to test the...

Question 19

A research method in which the real-life behavior of a pre-selected person or a group is studied at an in-depth level for some time through the use of observation, interviews, and writings (such as letters) is the _____________ method of research.
a. survey
b. psychometric
c. case study
d. naturalistic observation

Accepted Answer

The answer of A research method in which the real-life...

Question 20

What is informed consent?

Accepted Answer

A)   Volunteers agree to participate in a study after the purpose, tasks, and risks of the study are explained to them.
B)   IRBs must be informed about the purpose, tasks, and risks of a study before they approve it.
C)   Researchers agree to be legally responsible for the physical and psychological safety of their participants.
D)   Participants must be informed of the results of the study they participated in and give their consent before the research is published.

Exam 2: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research

The scores on most standardized tests have a __________________ distribution.

Ecological validity refers to:

For security and confidentiality reasons, once the results of a study are reported in a journal or at a conference the data should be destroyed.

In an experiment, the group of subjects to which the experimental group is compared is called the: a. comparison group. b. standard group. c. confederate group. d. control group.

If all of the scores in a distribution are clustered closely together, the distribution has ____________.

Collecting objective data without interference in the subject's normal environment is associated with: a. survey research. b. applied research. c. laboratory research. d. naturalistic observation.