Deck 12: Applying Statistical Methods in Your Own Research Project

Question 1

A common way to handle missing data when there are only a few missing values and the pattern seems more or less random is to:

A)substitute the mode of everyone else's score on that variable for each missing value
B)substitute the mean of everyone else's score on that variable for each missing value
C)delete the individual from the database
D)delete that particular variable from the database

Answer 1

substitute the mean of everyone else's score on that variable for each missing value

Question 2

If a participant has a missing value on an item that is part of a multi-item measure (such as 1 item not answered on a 20-item depression questionnaire), the researcher might handle this by:

A)substituting that person's average on the items that were completed
B)substituting a similar person's score on that item
C)substituting the total score on the questionnaire for that item
D)all of the above are viable options

Answer 2

substituting that person's average on the items that were completed

Question 3

Consider a study looking at the relation of gender and performance on a statistics examination. This study is about __________.

A)variance variables
B)associations among variables
C)pre-and post-testing of variables
D)dependent variables

Answer 3

associations among variables

Question 4

Before running statistical analyses, researchers should check their data for:

A)skewness
B)missing data
C)outliers
D)all of the above

Question 5

A researcher should use __________ or __________ when there is one predictor variable.

A)multiple regression; correlation
B)correlation; bivariate prediction
C)Z scores; multiple regression
D)criterion variables; Z scores

Question 6

Consider a study comparing the effects of different paints colors (pale blue, bright red, pale yellow)in a child's play room on children's mood (rated on a 50-points scale). This study is comparing:

A)means of variables
B)modes of variables
C)nominal of association
D)levels of association

Question 7

If a researcher decides to handle missing data on a particular item by only including those participants who answered that item, he or she must keep in mind that results will:

A)be completely valid and applicable
B)apply to all members of the population
C)only apply to the kinds of people who are likely to answer such questions
D)not be publishable

Question 8

Once a researcher has decided whether to utilize a t test or ANOVA (based on the number of means being compared), the next decision relates to:

A)whether to determine the mean or median of the samples
B)whether to determine the variance or standard deviation of the samples
C)whether to refer to the Z table or t table
D)whether to use a between-subjects or within-subjects design

Question 9

If you wish to predict the likelihood of developing breast cancer from a combination of information about genes, environment, and lifestyle the appropriate analysis would be a:

A)t test
B)chi square
C)ANOVA
D)multiple regression

Question 10

The following situation(s)could result in missing data:

A)a participant accidentally skips three questions
B)an observer misses a particular behavior
C)recording devices fail during an experiment
D)all of the above

Question 11

Suppose you are testing a hypothesis about which of various professors are most favored by psychology students at a particular university. The appropriate analysis would be:

A)ANOVA
B)t test for independence
C)chi-square test
D)correlation

Question 12

In a between-subjects design __________ people are in each group.

A)different
B)the same
C)more than 30
D)equal numbers of

Question 13

Once a researcher has an idea for a research question, the next step is to:

A)run a statistical analysis
B)enter data into SPSS
C)develop a specific research plan to address the question
D)prepare a manuscript for publication

Question 14

The appropriate type of analysis to use with rank-order scores is:

A)parametric
B)nonparametric
C)linear
D)log linear

Question 15

What is meant by the phrase "data screening"?

A)typing all scores into the database
B)setting up the SPSS spreadsheet
C)labeling one's variables
D)checking data for accuracy and missing values

Question 16

A statistical procedure involving more than one criterion or outcome variable is called a:

A)univariate test
B)multivariate test
C)rank-order test
D)chi-square test

Question 17

Consider a study comparing the effects of different encoding methods (i.e., visual and auditory)on later retention of information. This study focuses on the arrange memory performance for each encoding modality; thus, this is a study comparing __________.

A)variance variables
B)the relationship between variables
C)the distribution of difference scores
D)the standard deviation of variables

Question 18

Before embarking on a new study, experienced researchers carefully plan the statistical method(s)they will use when the study is complete. Why is it important to carry out this step?

A)To ensure that there are available and appropriate methods to use when the study is done
B)To determine how many participants you will need
C)To determine the power of your planned study
D)All of the above

Question 19

If your planned study has power below 80%, you should first consider:

A)increasing the size of the samples
B)raising the study's level of significance
C)using the true population variance
D)treating the two samples as one sample

Question 20

To figure statistical power of a planned study, one needs to:

A)decide what statistical test to use
B)make some estimate of effect size
C)carefully collect the data and analyze results
D)both A and B

Question 21

If a planned study has power below __________ , there are several ways a researcher can alter the study to increase power.

Question 22

To figure statistical power of a planned study, you first need to decide what statistical test you will use. Then you have to make some estimate of the expected __________.

Question 23

After carrying out your plan for the main statistical analyses, you may want to consider conducting a(n):

A)factor analysis
B)exploratory analysis
C)power analysis
D)hypothetical analysis

Question 24

One can visually check for skewness by looking for:

A)long tails going off to the right
B)long tails going off to the left
C)separated scores in the histograms
D)all of the above

Question 25

The main cause of extreme skewness is:

A)outliers
B)bimodal distributions
C)rectangular distributions
D)average scores

Question 26

In what section of a research article should the authors describe each analysis in a systematic fashion?

A)Introduction
B)Methods
C)Results
D)Discussion

Question 27

A researcher realizes that her data are seriously skewed. She could do all of the following EXCEPT:

A)log transform the scores
B)square-root transform the scores
C)substitute the median for the mean
D)use a rank-ordered method

Question 28

In a __________ design, the same people will be in each group (e.g., each participant will read one story with negative content and another story with positive content).

Question 29

Researchers use multiple regression when there are two or more predictor variables. (True or False)

Question 30

Suppose you determine that your new study will focus on differences between means. Your next question should be __________.

Question 31

One should use a chi-square test to study the change in distribution of preferred brand of toothpaste from before to after a new advertising campaign. (True or False)

Question 32

To avoid work and careless errors, it is recommended that researchers enter datasheet scores directly into a spreadsheet and let the computer do any needed __________.

Question 33

All of the following are appropriate and common ways to handle extreme scores EXCEPT:

A)exclude the participant from the analysis
B)use a rank-order test
C)use a t test for dependent means
D)recode the extreme score so that it is just slightly higher than the next highest score

Question 34

Most statistical tests require that the variables be _______________ in the population.

A)relatively equivalent
B)slightly skewed
C)normally distributed
D)easily graphed using LISREL

Question 35

You study three groups of students (normal, learning disability, and attention-deficit disorder)and measure performance on four outcome variables (four different reading ability tests). This type of research design would require __________.

Question 36

In a study of the effects of lighting on concentration, 30 participants performed a standard task while exposed to a dim light and another 30 participants performed the same task while exposed to a bright light. You would use a t test for __________ to analyze the results.

Question 37

In the Discussion section of a research article, one should:

A)summarize key conclusions
B)provide detailed information about participants
C)report on the reliability of one's measures
D)all of the above

Question 38

Before starting out on a new study, experienced researchers plan what __________ they will use.

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT one of the main sections of most research papers in the behavioral and social sciences?

A)Case Report
B)Introduction
C)Methods
D)Discussion

Question 40

A nonsignificant result means:

A)"proof" for the research hypothesis
B)"proof" for the null hypothesis
C)"no difference"
D)"inconclusive"

Question 41

It is never a good idea to note the limitations of your study and anomalous results. (True or False)

Question 42

Often participants don't respond to every item on a questionnaire and the researcher is left with __________.

Question 43

When writing up the results of a research study, most of the results of the statistical analyses will go in the Results section of the paper, although some information about the study participants is usually given in the __________ section.

Question 44

The Results section of a research article in the behavioral and social sciences usually begins with a presentation of __________.

Question 45

Many important discoveries in the behavioral and social sciences came not from what was predicted in advance, but from unexpected findings during data exploration. (True or False)

Question 46

What are some ways to handle missing data in a study? How should these data be coded in a database?

Question 47

Some researchers simply make it a practice to exclude participants whose scores are very extreme. (True or False)

Question 48

Before conducting statistical analyses, what properties of the data should a researcher check and why? How should a researcher handle problematic data issues that arise?

Question 49

What are some important things to keep in mind during the data-gathering process that will make the statistical analyses go smoothly?

Question 50

Most research reports in the behavioral and social sciences include the following main sections:
(1)__________ , (2)__________ , (3)__________ , and (4)__________

Question 51

What are some considerations when entering your data into a computer spreadsheet or database?

Question 52

Most statistical tests require that the variables be __________ in the population.