Question 1

In a self-report measure, participants are:

Accepted Answer

A)  observed in order to make inferences about their behaviors. 
B)  asked directly about how they feel about a particular topic. 
C)  recorded so that their actions can be coded by experimenters. 
D)  asked to select close friends or family who can report on their thoughts and feelings.

Question 2

Jana takes a breathalyzer test and cannot believe the amount of alcohol that is reportedly in her system. If the officer assures her that the measure is accurate, then she knows:

Accepted Answer

A)  she should take it again, because it may not be valid. 
B)  she should take it again, because it may not be reliable. 
C)  she does not need to take it again, because it must also be reliable. 
D)  she should explain to the officer that this measure is neither reliable nor valid.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the basic steps in designing research?

Accepted Answer

A)  determine the best measures 
B)  choose the right research design for the question 
C)  recruit research participants 
D)  identify the independent and dependent variables

Question 4

A sample is made up of:

Accepted Answer

A)  a participant's friends. 
B)  the entire group under investigation. 
C)  the people who took part in a study. 
D)  the experimenter and his/her collaborators.

Question 5

Raw score =

Accepted Answer

A)  true score + error 
B)  true score + reliability 
C)  validity + error 
D)  error + quota sampling

Question 6

For which of the following would a researcher NOT use a self-report measure?

Accepted Answer

A)  perceptions of a political candidate 
B)  feelings of love 
C)  memories 
D)  eye blink response

Question 7

For which study design should experimenters be most concerned about demand characteristics?

Accepted Answer

A)  behavioral measures 
B)  informant reports 
C)  archival data 
D)  self-report measures

Question 8

Which of the following is the correct order of sections for an APA-style report?

Accepted Answer

A)  results, method, discussion, reference page 
B)  discussion, method, results, reference page 
C)  method, results, discussion, reference page 
D)  reference page, method, results, discussion

Question 9

Compare and contrast self-report and behavioral measures, noting advantages and disadvantages of each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast self-report and behavioral measures,...

Question 10

The reason why response scales are generally limited to less than nine options is that anything:

Accepted Answer

A)  higher is difficult to statistically analyze. 
B)  more than nine is subject to a floor effect. 
C)  over nine fails to provide adequate flexibility in responding. 
D)  over nine creates meaningless distinctions.

Question 11

Given the tendency of participants to engage in the social desirability bias, behavioral observation should provide _____ responses than self-report measures, particularly on sensitive topics.

Accepted Answer

A)  less genuine 
B)  more genuine 
C)  less detailed 
D)  more detailed

Question 12

Josepha proposes a dissertation study in which her current participants are asked to recruit other participants to be in her study. What type of sampling is she using?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Josepha proposes a dissertation study in which...

Question 13

Use the following to answer questions
Scenario II
Scenario II is based on fabricated data inspired by the following study:
Holtfreter, K., Reisig, M. D. & Turanovic, J. J. (2015). Depression and infrequent participation in social activities among older adults: the moderating role of high-quality familial ties. Aging and Mental Health, Oct 15:1-10. [Epub ahead of print].
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family ties and depression in the elderly. To that end, Holtfreter and colleagues randomly dialed telephone numbers from Florida and Arizona telephone directory databases that contained a combined total of 4130 phone numbers. Of the 4130 numbers dialed, 2000 individuals older than 60 years answered the call and agreed to participate in the telephone survey. The survey included questions that assessed one's level of social activity, depression, and family ties. The results revealed that elderly individuals who reported being very happy with their children and with their partner were significantly less depressed than those whose family ties were less strong. In addition, the researchers found that those who were depressed were less likely to participate in social activities. The results of this study suggest that family is an important contributor to psychological and social well-being.
-(Scenario II) Suppose the researchers in Scenario II obtained their sample by asking for volunteers at a local assisted living home. This method of sampling would be best described as being a:

Accepted Answer

A)  random sample. 
B)  haphazard sample. 
C)  convenience sample. 
D)  biased sample.

Question 14

If a researcher hopes to draw conclusions about women, then all women in the world would be the:

Accepted Answer

A)  quota. 
B)  comparison group. 
C)  population. 
D)  sample.

Question 15

If a researcher is interested in assessing participants' private thoughts, then he would be best served to use:

Accepted Answer

A)  self-report measures. 
B)  behavioral measures. 
C)  informant reports. 
D)  archival data.

Question 16

To minimize the impact of demand characteristics, an experimenter should:

Accepted Answer

A)  ensure confidentiality. 
B)  make the real purpose of the study difficult for participants to figure out. 
C)  only use behavioral measures. 
D)  have participants respond one at a time.

Question 17

Each of the following is an example of random error, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  environmental distraction. 
B)  experimenter recording error. 
C)  a clock set fifteen minutes fast. 
D)  participant misunderstanding.

Question 18

Two main types of measurement are:

Accepted Answer

A)  self-report and quasi-experimental. 
B)  quasi-experimental and self-report. 
C)  behavioral and quasi-experimental. 
D)  self-report and behavioral.

Question 19

Use the following to answer questions
Scenario II
Scenario II is based on fabricated data inspired by the following study:
Holtfreter, K., Reisig, M. D. & Turanovic, J. J. (2015). Depression and infrequent participation in social activities among older adults: the moderating role of high-quality familial ties. Aging and Mental Health, Oct 15:1-10. [Epub ahead of print].
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family ties and depression in the elderly. To that end, Holtfreter and colleagues randomly dialed telephone numbers from Florida and Arizona telephone directory databases that contained a combined total of 4130 phone numbers. Of the 4130 numbers dialed, 2000 individuals older than 60 years answered the call and agreed to participate in the telephone survey. The survey included questions that assessed one's level of social activity, depression, and family ties. The results revealed that elderly individuals who reported being very happy with their children and with their partner were significantly less depressed than those whose family ties were less strong. In addition, the researchers found that those who were depressed were less likely to participate in social activities. The results of this study suggest that family is an important contributor to psychological and social well-being.
-(Scenario II) If the researchers in Scenario II had measured social activity, family ties, and depression by watching participants engage with others and their family, which type of behavioral measure would they have obtained?

Accepted Answer

A)  behavioral trace 
B)  behavioral observation 
C)  behavioral choice 
D)  behavioral delay

Question 20

Why are self-report measures so informative?

Accepted Answer

A)  because people have a wealth of self-knowledge 
B)  because self-report measures use behaviors to infer internal processes 
C)  because the inclusion of a self-report measure distinguishes a true experiment from a quasi-experimental design 
D)  because they are subject to demand characteristics

Exam 4: The Psychologists Toolbox: Tools for Building Better Designs