Question 1

Gemma wants to design a questionnaire that will assess assertiveness in the workplace.What should she keep in mind in order to ensure that her scale has adequate sensitivity?

Accepted Answer

Sensitivity is the range of data a researcher can gather from a particular instrument.To ensure adequate sensitivity,a self-report measure generally has between five and nine response options per item.This range provides participants with flexibility to select a number that closely fits with how they feel.However,it does not overwhelm the participant with too many options,which would do the disservice of causing the numbers to lose their meaning.In Gemma's case,she should design a scale that has between five and nine response options.If one of her items asks participants how assertive they are at work,a possible range of responses would be from one (not at all assertive)to five (extremely assertive).

Question 2

Eddie is using a behavioral measure to assess participants' responses to reactance.He believes that when participants are told that they cannot do something,then they will respond by engaging in the forbidden behavior.In his study,Eddie is using behavioral observation to measure reactance.How can he minimize the possibility of observer bias in his results?

Accepted Answer

Observer bias is misinterpreting an observation based on the researcher's existing beliefs,previous experiences,or expectations.Completely removing observer bias is difficult.However,it can be minimized by extensively training observers ahead of time.Eddie may need to create in advance a coding or rating scheme based on observable behaviors.He should minimize trying to interpret behaviors and stick to the rating system that he decided upon prior to engaging in any observation.

Question 3

If researchers want to draw conclusions about an entire population,then why do they only use a subset of that population in their research investigations?

Accepted Answer

A population is the entire group of interest in a research study.A sample is a subset of the population from which the researcher collects data.Often,researchers will assess variables of interest in a sample,rather than the entire population.This is because it is difficult to assess the entire population.For instance,a population may be so large that it is impossible to assess each member.Further,even if it were possible,sometimes individuals may refuse to participate,leaving a researcher with only a subset of the entire population.More often,researchers are limited by logistical concerns,like time and resources.It would often be too costly or time prohibitive to examine each member of a population.Thus,researchers select a sample of participants and then generalize results from this smaller subset to the larger population under investigation.

Question 4

Why are self-report measures used so frequently within the field of personality psychology?

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Question 5

What is written in the method section of an APA-style report?

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Question 6

Louis is looking for data to address his research question,which asks whether athletes are more organized than non-athletes.What types of behavioral trace data could he use in order to investigate his hypothesis?

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Question 7

What are demand characteristics and how can they be minimized in a research study?

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Question 8

What is nonresponse bias and why is it an issue for researchers?

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Question 9

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?

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Question 10

Explain why psychologists learn to use multiple research designs rather than the one "best" research design.

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Question 11

Differentiate between the ceiling effect and the floor effect.

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Question 12

What is the difference between probability and nonprobability sampling?

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Question 13

Why would a researcher use both self-report and behavioral measures to investigate the same phenomenon?

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Question 14

How do researchers "give credit where credit is due" and avoid the ethical violation of plagiarism when writing an APA-style research report?

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Question 15

Pedro is conducting a longitudinal study in which he will assess his participants numerous times with the same measures.When looking over his results he realizes that a measure that should produce similar results over time does not.What is wrong with Pedro's measure?

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