Psychology Research Methods Exam 1

Attendance is a quantitative variable because it can be measured and expressed as a numerical value. In this context, attendance refers to the number of people who attended the shows on Broadway during a specific week. The data collected regarding the attendance would involve counting the number of individuals present at each show, which can be represented by numerical values.

The weeks (the length of time the show was on Broadway) can be measured and expressed as a numerical value, making it a quantitative variable. This means that the length of time each show was on Broadway can be compared and analyzed using mathematical operations and statistical techniques.

Laboratory research is generally preferred over field research because it allows for easier control of variables. In a laboratory setting, researchers have the ability to manipulate and control various factors, such as temperature, lighting, and equipment, which can help ensure the accuracy and reliability of the study. This control is important in order to isolate and examine specific variables and their effects on the research outcome. On the other hand, field research is conducted in real-world settings, where there are numerous uncontrollable variables that can influence the results. Therefore, laboratory research is generally preferred when the goal is to achieve a higher level of control.

Accepting the information in an instructor's lecture without examining the book or asking about the source of the ideas is an example of relying on authority. This means that the individual trusts the instructor's knowledge and expertise, assuming that they have the correct information and are a reliable source. They are accepting the information based on the authority of the instructor rather than independently verifying it through other means such as logic, intuition, or scientific research.

A theory being in agreement with common sense is not a valid way to judge its quality. Common sense is subjective and can vary among individuals or cultures. A good theory should be based on empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and be able to predict and explain phenomena. Agreement with common sense does not guarantee accuracy or validity, as there may be instances where common sense is unreliable or contradicts scientific principles. Therefore, relying solely on common sense as a criterion for judging a theory would be flawed.

The student's complaint that the psychology test was unfair and did not cover the material suggests that he is referring to content validity. Content validity refers to the extent to which a test accurately measures the specific content or knowledge it is intended to assess. In this case, the student is implying that the test did not adequately cover the material that was taught, indicating a lack of content validity.

Season (the show's "staying power" on Broadway) is categorical. This is because it is not a numerical value that can be measured or counted, but rather a qualitative characteristic that categorizes shows into different groups based on their duration on Broadway.

Ecological validity refers to the extent to which research findings can be generalized and applied to real-world settings. If a researcher finds a result in a laboratory setting but not in a real-world setting, it suggests that the findings may lack ecological validity. This means that the findings may not accurately reflect how the phenomenon would occur or behave in the real world. Therefore, the answer "lacks ecological validity" is the most appropriate explanation for this question.

The best scale to measure attendance would be a ratio scale. A ratio scale allows for the measurement of the exact amount or quantity of a variable, in this case, the attendance. It provides a meaningful zero point, where zero attendance means no one attended the show. The ratio between attendance numbers can also be calculated, allowing for meaningful comparisons and analysis of the data.

Subject variables refer to the differences between subjects that cannot be controlled, such as gender and race. These variables are inherent characteristics of the individuals participating in a study and cannot be manipulated by the researcher. Unlike experimental variables that can be controlled and manipulated by the researcher, subject variables are pre-existing and may influence the outcome of the study. Therefore, subject variables are the correct answer in this case.

Scattergrams are graphical representations that display the relationship between two variables. They are commonly used to analyze the correlation between these variables. The correlation coefficient is a statistic that measures the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is the correlation coefficient.

Counterbalancing is the strategy used to control for order effects in this study. By randomly assigning subjects to either see the violent film first and then read the transcript, or read the transcript first and then see the film, the experimenter ensures that any potential effects of the order in which the stimuli are presented are balanced out across the two groups. This helps to eliminate or minimize any confounding influence of the order on the emotional distress experienced by the subjects.

Kuhn's concept of a paradigm refers to the idea that scientific progress does not proceed in a straightforward manner, but rather consists of normal science, followed by shifts to other ways of thinking. A paradigm is a set of beliefs, assumptions, and practices that guide scientific research within a particular field. It provides a framework for understanding and interpreting data, as well as for formulating theories and hypotheses. When a paradigm shift occurs, there is a fundamental change in the underlying assumptions and methods of a scientific discipline, leading to a new way of approaching and understanding the subject matter.

Random error refers to the variation or fluctuation in the measurement of a variable that occurs due to chance factors. It is an unpredictable and uncontrollable factor that can affect the accuracy and precision of measurements. Random errors are typically caused by factors such as human error, instrument limitations, or environmental conditions that cannot be completely eliminated or controlled. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "chance," as random error is attributed to unpredictable chance factors.

An operational definition is a clear and specific definition of a concept or variable that allows for objective measurement. In this case, defining aggression in terms of the frequency and intensity of shock administered to another person provides a measurable and observable way to identify and quantify aggressive behavior. By using an operational definition, the investigator can ensure that their study is based on objective criteria and can be replicated by other researchers.

Test-retest reliability refers to the consistency of scores obtained by the same person on the same test administered on two different occasions. In this case, the scores on The Vockell-Campbell Test of Racquetball Proficiency are about the same when taken by the same person on two different occasions. This suggests that the test is reliable and consistently measures racquetball proficiency over time.

Face validity refers to the extent to which a test appears to measure what it claims to measure. In the context of the given options, "lacking in the Rorschach test" suggests that the Rorschach test may not have face validity because the inkblot images used in the test may not seem directly related to the purpose of the test. "More of a public relations question than a scientific one" suggests that face validity is more concerned with how a test is perceived by the public rather than its actual scientific validity. "Unrelated to a test's actual validity" implies that face validity is not a reliable indicator of a test's true validity. Therefore, all of the above options correctly describe face validity.

Systematic replication and random selection of subjects from the population of interest are used to maximize the external validity of a study. Systematic replication involves conducting the study again using different participants, settings, or times to ensure that the results are consistent and generalizable. Random selection of subjects from the population of interest helps to ensure that the sample is representative and that the findings can be applied to the larger population. By combining these two methods, researchers can increase the likelihood that their findings will be valid and applicable to real-world situations.

When subjects are used as their own control, it means that the same subjects are exposed to different conditions or treatments. This is done when experiencing one condition is unlikely to influence the response to another. By using the same subjects, any individual differences or extraneous variables that could affect the results are controlled for. This allows researchers to isolate the effects of the different conditions and determine their specific impact on the response variable.

The situation where employees of a company are classified as management or line workers illustrates the use of a nominal scale of measurement. In this situation, the employees are simply being categorized into two distinct groups based on their job roles. The classification does not imply any order or hierarchy between the groups, it is just a way of organizing the employees into different categories. This is characteristic of a nominal scale of measurement, where data is categorized into distinct groups without any numerical or quantitative value.

The level of measurement involved in making this observation is most likely ratio. Ratio level of measurement includes all the characteristics of the other levels (nominal, ordinal, and interval) and also has a true zero point, meaning that zero indicates the absence of the variable being measured. In this case, the amount of light (luminance) being measured can have a true zero point, as zero luminance would indicate the complete absence of light.

Laboratory experiments prioritize control over variables, allowing researchers to manipulate and isolate specific factors to study their effects. However, this focus on control often sacrifices realism, as laboratory settings may not accurately represent real-world conditions. Additionally, external validity, which refers to the generalizability of findings to real-world settings, can also be compromised in laboratory experiments. Therefore, the correct answer is that laboratory experiments sacrifice both realism and external validity.

A scatterplot is the best graph for illustrating the relationship between a show's attendance and its "staying power" because it allows us to plot the attendance and the duration of each show on Broadway as individual data points. By visually examining the scatterplot, we can determine if there is a pattern or correlation between attendance and staying power. This graph type is ideal for showing the relationship between two continuous variables. A scatterplot can help us identify any trends or outliers in the data and make conclusions about the relationship between attendance and staying power.

Subject bias refers to the tendency of individuals to respond in a certain way due to their personal characteristics or beliefs. In the context of role demands, subject bias occurs when individuals' responses are influenced by the expectations or requirements associated with their role. This bias can lead to skewed or inaccurate data, as individuals may alter their behavior or responses to align with their perceived role expectations. Therefore, subject bias is a potential source of bias in research or evaluations involving role demands.

The use of an interval scale of measurement requires that the data being measured have equal intervals between each value and that there is no true zero point. In the given options, the only situation that satisfies these conditions is when a nurse records a patient's temperature in Celsius. Temperature measured in Celsius has equal intervals between each degree, and a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius does not represent a complete absence of temperature. Therefore, this situation best illustrates the use of an interval scale of measurement.

Test-retest reliability refers to the consistency of scores over time when the same test is administered to the same group of individuals on multiple occasions. In this case, the scores on the "Humane Attitude Scale for Children" are consistent on different occasions for the same people, indicating that the test has good test-retest reliability. This suggests that the scores are not merely influenced by temporary attitudes but reflect a stable measure of humane attitudes in children.

Using subjects as their own controls minimizes sequence effects and order effects. Sequence effects refer to the potential bias that can arise from the order in which conditions or treatments are presented to participants. By using the same subjects for both conditions, any potential sequence effects are minimized. Similarly, order effects refer to the potential bias that can arise from the order in which participants experience different conditions. By using the same subjects for both conditions, any potential order effects are also minimized. Therefore, the advantage of using subjects as their own controls is that both sequence effects and order effects are minimized.

A histogram would be the best choice for conveying the shape of the frequency distribution of 250 test scores. A histogram is a graphical representation of the distribution of a dataset, where the data is divided into intervals and the height of each bar represents the frequency of data points falling within that interval. This allows for a visual depiction of the shape of the distribution, showing whether it is symmetric, skewed, or has other characteristics. The other options, such as rank-order distribution, cumulative frequency distribution, and ungrouped frequency distribution, do not provide a visual representation of the shape of the distribution as effectively as a histogram.

The given correct answer is content validity. Content validity refers to the extent to which a test measures the entire content domain it is supposed to measure. In this case, the "Humane Attitude Scale for Children" is criticized for only evaluating attitudes towards dogs and cats, while ignoring other pets and wild animals. This suggests that the test lacks content validity as it fails to adequately cover the entire range of attitudes towards different animals.

A variable is a property of an event that can take on different values. In statistics, variables are used to represent characteristics or attributes that can vary among individuals or objects. They can be numerical values, labels, or any other type of data that can be measured or observed. By understanding and analyzing the range of values that a variable can assume, we can gain insights and make conclusions about the event or phenomenon being studied.

Demand characteristics refer to subtle cues in a laboratory study that participants can use to guide their behavior. These cues may include the experimenter's expectations or unintentional hints about how participants should respond. Demand characteristics can influence participants' behavior and lead to biased results. For example, if participants perceive that the experimenter expects them to behave in a certain way, they may modify their behavior to conform to those expectations, affecting the validity of the study.

The term power refers to the probability of finding a significant difference when a difference exists in the population. In other words, it is the likelihood of correctly rejecting the null hypothesis when it is false. Power is an important concept in statistical hypothesis testing as it helps determine the ability of a study to detect an effect or relationship if one truly exists. A higher power indicates a greater chance of detecting a true difference, while a lower power suggests a higher risk of a false negative result.

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Content validity refers to the extent to which a test measures the specific content or skills it is intended to measure. In this case, the Vockell-Campbell Test of Racquetball Proficiency only samples a few skills required to play racquetball, rather than assessing the full range of skills needed. Therefore, the test lacks content validity as it does not adequately represent the skills necessary to play the game.

In this question, the suggestion to take an aspirin to relieve a headache would be considered "technology" because it refers to a practical application or method to solve a problem. On the other hand, "science" would be concerned with the reason that the aspirin works, as it involves the study and understanding of natural phenomena through systematic observation and experimentation.

The principle or characteristic of science that is being referred to in this question is parsimony. Parsimony is the idea that scientists should prefer the simplest explanation that can account for a given phenomenon. This means that when multiple explanations are possible, the one that requires the fewest assumptions or complexities is often considered the most likely to be correct. By applying this principle, scientists aim to avoid unnecessary complexity and strive for elegant and concise explanations.

If a measure is not reliable, then it cannot be valid. Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of a measure, while validity refers to the accuracy and truthfulness of the measure in assessing what it intends to measure. If a measure is not reliable, it means that it produces inconsistent results and cannot be trusted. In such cases, it is not possible for the measure to accurately assess what it intends to measure, making it invalid. Therefore, reliability is a necessary condition for validity.

A bar graph should be used when the independent variable is a discrete variable because a bar graph is most suitable for displaying and comparing data that is categorized or grouped into distinct categories. The independent variable being discrete means that it can only take on specific values or categories, such as different types of objects or categories of data. A bar graph allows for easy visualization and comparison of these discrete categories by representing them as separate bars, with the height of each bar indicating the frequency or value associated with that category.

The researcher is concerned with the potential threat to internal validity known as the regression effect. This effect refers to the tendency for extreme scores on a variable to become less extreme over time and move closer to the mean. If subjects have been pre-selected to represent the extremes on the variable of interest, their scores may naturally regress toward the mean in subsequent measurements, which could impact the internal validity of the study.

The Kuder-Richardson-20 is a measure of internal consistency. This means that it assesses the degree to which the items in a test or questionnaire are consistently measuring the same construct or trait. A high internal consistency indicates that the items are highly correlated with each other, suggesting that they are measuring the same thing. This measure is commonly used in psychological and educational research to ensure that the items in a test are reliable and consistent in measuring the intended construct.

Statistical conclusion validity refers to the extent to which a research design is able to accurately detect relationships among the operationalized constructs. It focuses on the accuracy of the statistical tests used in analyzing the data and determining if the results are statistically significant. This involves considering factors such as sample size, effect size, and the control of confounding variables. Therefore, statistical conclusion validity is concerned with the precision and power of the research design in drawing conclusions about relationships between variables.

The order in which the subjects are assigned to either see the violent film first and then read the transcript, or read the transcript first and then see the film, is a between-subjects variable. This means that different subjects are assigned to different conditions of the study, and their responses or outcomes are compared between these different conditions. In this case, the order of presentation is the variable that is being manipulated between different subjects.

A matched-pairs design involves pairing participants based on certain characteristics and then assigning each pair to different conditions. The disadvantage of this design is that pretesting, where participants are tested before the experiment, may increase demand characteristics. Demand characteristics refer to cues or clues that participants may pick up on during the experiment, which can influence their behavior and lead to biased results. Therefore, by pretesting participants, the likelihood of them becoming aware of the purpose of the study and altering their behavior accordingly is increased, compromising the validity of the results.

Making designs more complex is not a good specific strategy for achieving control in research because it can introduce more variables and make it difficult to isolate the effects of the independent variable. Complex designs can also increase the likelihood of confounding variables and decrease the internal validity of the study. It is important to keep the design as simple as possible to ensure that the effects observed can be attributed to the independent variable and not to other factors.

Criterion validity refers to the extent to which a test or measure accurately predicts or correlates with a specific criterion or outcome. In this case, the Vockell-Campbell Test of Racquetball Proficiency does not correlate highly with performance on the Solon Test of Racquetball Proficiency, indicating that it may not accurately predict or measure racquetball proficiency. Therefore, the given scenario exemplifies criterion validity.

Construct validity refers to the extent to which a test measures the intended construct or trait. In this case, the Vockell-Campbell Test of Racquetball Proficiency is designed to measure "racquetball proficiency," and the answer suggests that it does indeed measure this construct. Therefore, the answer is construct validity.

The given correct answer is "convergent." This is because the statement mentions that the ACT measure of expressiveness was highly correlated with measures of exhibition and extraversion, which suggests that the ACT measure is converging or aligning with other measures of similar constructs. This indicates that the measure has convergent validity, meaning it is measuring what it is intended to measure.

This is an example of criterion validity. Criterion validity refers to the extent to which a measure is able to accurately predict or correlate with a specific criterion or outcome. In this case, the "Humane Attitude Scale for Children" is being used as a measure to predict children's attitudes towards animals, as rated by teachers. The fact that children who score low on the teacher rating scale also score low on the "Humane Attitude Scale" suggests that the scale is valid in predicting children's attitudes towards animals.

This answer is correct because a law is a statement that describes a consistent pattern or relationship between events. It implies that these events occur together or in a predictable manner. The other options, such as events occurring regularly or being caused by preceding events, do not encompass the full definition of a law.

A ratio scale would be the best choice for measuring weeks (the length of time the show was on Broadway). A ratio scale allows for meaningful comparisons of the magnitude of values and includes a true zero point. In this case, the length of time a show was on Broadway can be measured in weeks, and a zero value would indicate that the show did not play at all. Additionally, the ratio scale allows for mathematical operations such as addition and subtraction to be performed on the data.