Stats

Question 1

Autocorrelation would most likely be a problem when an investigator uses which of the following research designs?
Select one:

A.
Between group

B.
Latin square

C.
Solomon four-group

D.
Time-series

Answer 1

D.

Time-series

Question 2

For their dissertation research, a graduate student administered a measure of state anxiety to a group of college students on five consecutive days before and after the students participated in a stress reduction workshop. Which of the following research designs did the graduate student use?
Select one:

A.
Time-series

B.
Latin square

C.
Static-group comparison

D.
Multiple-baseline

Answer 2

A. time series

Question 3

Which of the following would be useful for measuring the strength of the relationship between two continuous variables when their relationship is nonlinear?
Select one:

A.
Eta coefficient

B.
Phi coefficient

C.
Spearman rho

D.
Pearson r

Answer 3

A. eta coefficient

Question 4

When using protocol analysis, a researcher asks an individual to _____.
Select one:

A.
brainstorm with other problem-solvers

B.
think aloud while solving a complex problem

C.
identify alternative strategies for solving the problem

D.
construct a cognitive map of a problem

Answer 4

B.

think aloud while solving a complex problem

Question 5

When reviewing the data collected from their study’s three treatment groups, a researcher discovers that the standard deviations of the three groups differ. If the researcher analyzes the data using the t-test for independent samples, this is _____.
Select one:

A.
not a problem

B.
not likely to be a problem as long as the three groups have the same number of participants

C.
not likely to be a problem as long as all three distributions have a rectangular shape

D.
not likely to be a problem as long as the data represent an interval or ratio scale of measurement

Answer 5

B.

not likely to be a problem as long as the three groups have the same number of participants

Question 6

An investigator uses a factorial ANOVA to assess the effects of two independent variables on a dependent variable and obtains significant main and interaction effects. When interpreting the results, the investigator should _____.
Select one:

A.
ignore the interaction since the main effects are significant

B.
interpret the main effects with caution since the interaction is significant

C.
interpret the interaction with caution since the main effects are significant

D.
re-analyze the data since these results are not possible

Answer 6

B.

interpret the main effects with caution since the interaction is significant

Question 7

To analyze the data collected in a study that includes a single independent variable and three dependent variables, we would use a MANOVA (multivariate analysis of variance) rather than three separate one-way ANOVAs because _____.
Select one:

A.
we want to statistically remove the effects of a confounding variable

B.
at least one of the dependent variables is an extraneous variable

C.
we want to reduce the probability of making a Type I error

D.
we want to avoid conducting a post-hoc analysis

Answer 7

C.

we want to reduce the probability of making a Type I error

Question 8

Squaring the multiple correlation coefficient (R) produces a measure of the _____.
Select one:

A.
relative amount of dispersion (variability) in a set of scores

B.
degree to which a true score can be expected to vary from an obtained score

C.
correlation between two variables when the effects of a third variable have been statistically removed

D.
the amount of variability shared by three or more variables

Answer 8

D.

the amount of variability shared by three or more variables

Question 9

A researcher would use an ABAB design rather than an AB design in order to control which of the following threats to the study’s validity?
Select one:

A.
Diffusion

B.
Attrition

C.
Instrumentation

D.
History

Answer 9

D. history

Question 10

A research participant’s score on the dependent variable is the amount of time (minutes) it took to complete a task. When assigning scores to participants, the researcher discovers that three of the 60 participants did not complete the task, and the researcher assigns them the maximum amount of time given to participants to work on the task. Which of the following is the best measure of central tendency for the data collected in this study?
Select one:

A.
Harmonic mean

B.
Arithmetic mean

C.
Mode

D.
Median

Answer 10

d. median

Question 11

When the correlation between high school students’ GPA and amount of time they spend studying each week is _____, this means that about 15% of variability in GPA is accounted for by the amount of time spent studying.
Select one:

A.
0.02

B.
0.15

C.
0.39

D.
0.85

Answer 11

C.

0.39

Question 12

In which of the following types of research do research participants act as their own no-treatment “controls”?
Select one:

A.
Single-subject

B.
Cross-sectional

C.
Ex post facto

D.
Double-blind

Answer 12

a. single subject

Question 13

Researchers would use an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to _____.
Select one:

A.
analyze the effects of an independent variable on two or more dependent variables

B.
statistically control variability in the dependent variable due to the effects of an extraneous variable

C.
adjust for systematic differences between groups that occurred as part of the experimental treatment

D.
determine if there is a significant interaction between two or more independent variables

Answer 13

B.

statistically control variability in the dependent variable due to the effects of an extraneous variable

Question 14

A psychologist conducts a t-test and concludes that the results are “significant at the .01 level.” This means that _____.
Select one:

A.
there is a 1% chance the psychologist will incorrectly reject the null hypothesis

B.
there is a 1% chance the psychologist will incorrectly retain the null hypothesis

C.
there is a 99% chance the psychologist will incorrectly reject the null hypothesis

D.
there is a 99% chance the psychologist will incorrectly retain the null hypothesis

Answer 14

A.

there is a 1% chance the psychologist will incorrectly reject the null hypothesis

Question 15

A researcher would use “counterbalancing” to _____.
Select one:

A.
control multiple treatment interference

B.
ensure an equal number of participants in each group

C.
match subjects on a confounding variable

D.
ensure that the sample is representative of the population from which it was drawn

Answer 15

A.

control multiple treatment interference

Question 16

“Sampling error” is _____.
Select one:

A.
the tendency of sample statistics to vary from one another due to unintended effects of the treatment

B.
the tendency of sample statistics to vary from population parameters due to the effects of systematic error

C.
the tendency of sample statistics to vary from population parameters due to the effects of random error

D.
the tendency of sample statistics to vary from population parameters due to the unreliability of the measuring instruments

Answer 16

C.

the tendency of sample statistics to vary from population parameters due to the effects of random error

Question 17

To assess the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention on the caloric intake of young women with anorexia nervosa, you obtain a sample of women who have just received this diagnosis and determine the average number of calories each woman consumes each day during the week before and the week after the intervention is applied. Which of the following statistical tests will you use to analyze the collected data?
Select one:

A.
T-test for a single sample

B.
T-test for dependent samples

C.
T-test for independent samples

D.
T-test for multiple samples

Answer 17

B.

T-test for dependent samples

Question 18

When using a “multiple-baseline” design, a researcher will _____.
Select one:

A.
apply and then withdraw the same treatment multiple times

B.
change the performance criterion gradually over the course of the study

C.
compare two or more treatments that are simultaneously applied to the same participant(s)

D.
sequentially apply a treatment to different behaviors or participants

Answer 18

D.

sequentially apply a treatment to different behaviors or participants

Question 19

Which of the following bivariate correlation coefficients would you use to determine the degree of association between gender and reaction time (as measured in seconds)?
Select one:

A.
Spearman rho

B.
Point biserial

C.
Phi coefficient

D.
Pearson r

Answer 19

B.

Point biserial

Question 20

If a teacher adds 10 points to each score in a distribution of scores, this will _____.
Select one:

A.
affect the mean of the distribution but not its standard deviation or variance

B.
affect the mean and range of the distribution but not its standard deviation or variance

C.
affect the standard deviation and variance of the distribution but not its mean

D.
not affect the mean, range, standard deviation, or variance of the distribution

Answer 20

A.

affect the mean of the distribution but not its standard deviation or variance

Question 21

A psychologist compares the effectiveness of three brief interventions for obsessive-compulsive disorder by randomly assigning adults who have received this diagnosis to one of the three interventions and measuring their symptoms prior to the beginning of treatment and one week, one month, and six months following treatment. Which of the following types of research design is the psychologist is using?
Select one:

A.
Between-groups

B.
Within-subjects

C.
Mixed

D.
Counterbalanced

Answer 21

C.

Mixed

Question 22

The scattergram for scores on a measure of test anxiety and a measure of math achievement reveals that students with moderate levels of anxiety obtain the highest achievement scores, while students with low and high levels of anxiety obtain lower achievement scores. If the Pearson r is used to measure the degree of the association between test anxiety and math achievement scores, the resulting correlation coefficient will _____.
Select one:

A.
underestimate the relationship between the variables

B.
overestimate the relationship between the variables

C.
under or overestimate the relationship between the variables

D.
accurately estimate the relationship between the variables

Answer 22

A.

underestimate the relationship between the variables

Question 23

Which of the following behavioral observation techniques would be most useful for evaluating the extent to which a student remains on-task while the teacher is talking?
Select one:

A.
Event recording

B.
Latency recording

C.
Interval recording

D.
Duration recording

Answer 23

c. interval recording

Question 24

Trend analysis is a type of analysis of variance used when _____.
Select one:

A.
the independent variable is quantitative

B.
the dependent variable is qualitative

C.
a researcher uses a cross-sectional research design

D.
a researcher uses a factorial research design

Answer 24

A.

the independent variable is quantitative

Question 25

In a scatterplot, the correlation between two variables is equal or close to zero when _____.
Select one:

A.
the range of Y scores at each value of X is equal to the total range of Y scores

B.
the range of Y scores at each value of X is about the same

C.
the range of Y scores is equal to the range of X scores

D.
the range of Y scores at each value of X is different

Answer 25

A.

the range of Y scores at each value of X is equal to the total range of Y scores

Question 26

To reduce the likelihood that experimenter expectancy will bias the results of a research study, you would use which of the following techniques?
Select one:

A.
Single-blind

B.
Double-blind

C.
Random selection

D.
Random assignment

Answer 26

b. double blind

Question 27

When a distribution of scores is normally shaped, approximately what percent of scores fall between the mean and the score that is one standard deviation above the mean?
Select one:

A.
25

B.
34

C.
50

D.
68

Answer 27

b. 34

Question 28

To increase statistical power, you would _____.
Select one:

A.
increase beta from .001 to .01

B.
increase alpha from .01 to .05

C.
use a nonparametric statistical test

D.
decrease the sample size

Answer 28

B.

increase alpha from .01 to .05

Question 29

To test the validity of a model that describes the causal relationships among a set of variables, you would use which of the following techniques?
Select one:

A.
Path analysis

B.
Logistic regression

C.
Cluster analysis

D.
Multitrait-multimethod matrix

Answer 29

A.

Path analysis

Question 30

A teacher converts students’ raw scores on a 200-item test to percent correct scores. What scale of measurement do the converted scores represent?
Select one:

A.
Ordinal

B.
Interval

C.
Ratio

D.
Nominal

Answer 30

c. ratio

Question 31

An educational psychologist conducts a study to assess the effects of an educational program designed to improve the academic performance of children diagnosed with a mild intellectual disability. The psychologist matches 30 children with mild intellectual disability on the basis of their IQ test scores and randomly assigns the members of each matched pair so one member is assigned to the experimental group and the other is assigned to the control group. The psychologist administers the program to the children in the experimental group and following completion of the program, administers an achievement test to all children and calculates a total correct score for each child. Which of the following should the psychologist use to assess the effects of the treatment on achievement test scores?
Select one:

A.
T-test for a single sample

B.
T-test for independent (unrelated) samples

C.
T-test for dependent (related) samples

D.
Two-way ANOVA

Answer 31

C.

T-test for dependent (related) samples

Question 32

An organizational psychologist consulting for a manufacturing company is developing a selection battery to help the company answer the following question: “What group (assembly-line workers or clerical workers) does the job applicant most closely resemble?” Which of the following multivariate techniques would be useful for this purpose?
Select one:

A.
Discriminant analysis

B.
Multiple regression

C.
Factor analysis

D.
Path analysis

Answer 32

A.

Discriminant analysis

Question 33

When designing a research study, an investigator would be concerned about the impact of pretest sensitization on the study’s external validity if _____.
Select one:

A.
the investigator’s knowledge of how participants performed on the pretest affects how the investigator scores the post-tests

B.
the participants know which group (experimental or control) the investigator assigned them to

C.
the investigator revises the post-test on the basis of how participants responded to the pretest

D.
taking the pretest changes how the participants react to the treatment

Answer 33

D.

taking the pretest changes how the participants react to the treatment

Question 34

The Central Limit Theorem predicts that the sampling distribution of means increasingly approaches _____.
Select one:

A.
a normal shape as the sample size increases regardless of the shape of the distribution of scores in the population

B.
a normal shape as the number of samples drawn from the population increases regardless of the shape of the distribution of scores in the population

C.
the shape of the population distribution as the size of the sample increases

D.
the shape of the population distribution as the number of samples drawn from the population increases

Answer 34

A.

a normal shape as the sample size increases regardless of the shape of the distribution of scores in the population

Question 35

Statistical regression is a potential threat to a study’s internal validity when _____.
Select one:

A.
there is a statistically different number of participants in the studys treatment groups

B.
there is a statistically significant difference in the number of participants who drop out of the different treatment groups during the course of the study

C.
participants are selected for inclusion in the study because of their extremely high or low scores on the pretest

D.
the researcher is unable to randomly assign participants to the different treatment groups

Answer 35

C.

participants are selected for inclusion in the study because of their extremely high or low scores on the pretest

Question 36

When using stepwise multiple regression, the addition of predictors to the equation is usually based on _____.
Select one:

A.
a predefined model or theory

B.
the magnitude of R-squared

C.
the proportion of accurate versus inaccurate decisions made

D.
the magnitude of the eigenvalues

Answer 36

B.

the magnitude of R-squared

Question 37

A researcher calculated a Cohen’s d of .50 for the data collected in a study comparing two brief treatments for generalized anxiety disorder. This means that _____.
Select one:

A.
there was a difference of one-half standard deviation between the means of the two groups

B.
there was a difference of one-fourth standard deviation between the means of the two groups

C.
the percent of variance accounted for by the difference in treatments was 50%

D.
the percent of variance accounted for by the difference in treatments was 25%

Answer 37

A.

there was a difference of one-half standard deviation between the means of the two groups

Question 38

LISREL (linear structural relations analysis) would be the appropriate method of analysis if your causal model _____.
Select one:

A.
includes measured (observed) attributes only

B.
includes latent traits only

C.
includes both measured (observed) attributes and latent traits

D.
includes both correlated and uncorrelated attributes

Answer 38

C.

includes both measured (observed) attributes and latent traits

Question 39

A factorial design _____.
Select one:

A.
always includes two or more dependent variables

B.
always includes two or more independent variables

C.
is used to control order effects

D.
is used to evaluate the effects of pretesting

Answer 39

B.

always includes two or more independent variables

Question 40

A researcher fears that the results of the study have been biased by aspects of the experimental situation that provided participants with cues about the responses or reactions that were expected of them. This researcher is concerned about which of the following?
Select one:

A.
Treatment diffusion

B.
Demand characteristics

C.
Confirmation bias

D.
Placebo effect

Answer 40

B.

Demand characteristics

Question 41

The denominator term in the F-ratio is reduced in magnitude by _____.
Select one:

A.
decreasing within-group variability

B.
increasing within-group variability

C.
increasing between-group variability and decreasing within-group variability

D.
decreasing between-group variability and increasing within-group variability

Answer 41

A.

decreasing within-group variability

Question 42

A researcher is conducting a study to evaluate the effects of a behavioral treatment for controlling severe, self-destructive behaviors. Which of the following single-subject designs would the researcher most likely use for ethical reasons?
Select one:

A.
Reversal

B.
Multiple sequential withdrawal

C.
Multiple baseline

D.
Latin square

Answer 42

c. multiple baseline

Question 43

A psychologist uses a single-subject design to assess the impact of an educational intervention designed to increase on-task behavior. When conducting the study, the psychologist will measure the participant’s on-task behavior _____.
Select one:

A.
once at the beginning and once at the end of the study

B.
once during the baseline phase and once during the treatment phase of the study

C.
immediately after and several weeks or months after the end of the study

D.
at regular intervals during the baseline and the treatment phases of the study

Answer 43

D.

at regular intervals during the baseline and the treatment phases of the study

Question 44

In the context of research design, external validity refers to the researcher’s ability to _____.
Select one:

A.
manipulate the independent variable

B.
randomly assign participants to treatment groups

C.
determine whether there is a causal relationship between variables

D.
generalize the results of the study to other individuals, settings, and conditions

Answer 44

D.

generalize the results of the study to other individuals, settings, and conditions

Question 45

A bivariate correlation coefficient of .60 indicates ________ times as much shared variability between variables as does a bivariate correlation coefficient of .30.
Select one:

A.
two

B.
three

C.
four

D.
six

Answer 45

c. four

Question 46

A “normal” distribution is _____.
Select one:

A.
flat (rectangular)

B.
bell-shaped

C.
S-shaped

D.
bimodal

Answer 46

b. bell shaped

Question 47

A researcher makes a Type II error when they _____.
Select one:

A.
reject the null hypothesis when it is true

B.
reject the null hypothesis when it is false

C.
retain the null hypothesis when it is true

D.
retain the null hypothesis when it is false

Answer 47

D.

retain the null hypothesis when it is false

Question 48

A researcher investigates the nature of client-therapist interactions during the initial therapy session by having psychology graduate students assume the role of either the therapist or therapy client and role-play the first session of therapy. The researcher’s study is best described as which of the following?
Select one:

A.
Nonparametric

B.
Cross-sectional

C.
Causal comparative

D.
Analogue

Answer 48

d. analogue

Question 49

Which of the following statistical tests would be most appropriate for analyzing the relationship between gender and Holland’s six occupational themes?
Select one:

A.
Single-sample chi-square

B.
Multiple-sample chi-square

C.
One-way ANOVA

D.
Factorial ANOVA

Answer 49

b. multiple sample chi square

Question 50

The least squares criterion is used for _____.
Select one:

A.
isolating latent traits in a factor analysis

B.
predicting true scores from obtained scores
Incorrect

C.
estimating shrinkage when cross-validating a multiple regression equation

D.
identifying the line of best fit in a regression analysis

Answer 50

D.

identifying the line of best fit in a regression analysis

Question 51

In which of the following studies would an investigator use the split-plot ANOVA to analyze the collected data?
Select one:

A.
A study in which each participant receives only one level of Variable A and one level of Variable B

B.
A study in which participants who received level 1 of Variable A also received either level 1 or 2 of Variable B, while participants who received level 2 of Variable A received either level 3 or 4 of Variable B

C.
A study in which each participant received all levels of Variable A but in a different order

D.
A study in which each participant received only one level of Variable A but all levels of Variable B

Answer 51

D.

A study in which each participant received only one level of Variable A but all levels of Variable B

Question 52

An assumption underlying the use of regression analysis is that _____.
Select one:

A.
the relationship between X and Y is linear

B.
the relationship between X and Y is causal

C.
the X variables are uncorrelated

D.
the Y variables are highly correlated

Answer 52

A.

the relationship between X and Y is linear

Question 53

Which of the following sampling methods involves first selecting units of individuals rather than individuals and then either including all individuals from those units or a random sample of individuals from those units in the research study?
Select one:

A.
Stratified random sampling

B.
Cluster sampling

C.
Convenience sampling

D.
Systematic sampling

Answer 53

B.

Cluster sampling

Question 54

To statistically analyze rank-ordered data obtained from two correlated groups, you would use which of the following?
Select one:

A.
Mann-Whitney U

B.
Kruskal-Wallis

C.
Wilcoxon

D.
ANCOVA

Answer 54

C.

Wilcoxon

Question 55

The analysis of variance produces an F-ratio, which is calculated by dividing MSB by MSW. The denominator of the F-ratio (MSW) is a measure of which of the following?
Select one:

A.
Treatment effects only

B.
Error only

C.
Treatment effects plus error

D.
Treatment effects minus error

Answer 55

b. error only

Question 56

Which of the following is the appropriate multivariate technique when using two or more continuous predictors to predict status on two or more continuous criteria?
Select one:

A.
Logistic regression

B.
Linear regression

C.
Discriminant function analysis

D.
Canonical correlation

Answer 56

D.

Canonical correlation

Question 57

In the context of bivariate correlational techniques, “homoscedasticity” refers to _____.
Select one:

A.
a linear relationship between X and Y

B.
a nonlinear relationship between X and Y

C.
a different range of Y scores at different values of X

D.
the same range of Y scores at different values of X

Answer 57

D.

the same range of Y scores at different values of X

Question 58

When a distribution of scores is flatter than the normal distribution, we refer to it as _____.
Select one:

A.
platykurtic

B.
leptokurtic

C.
mesokurtic

D.
exokurtic

Answer 58

A. platykurtic

Question 59

A researcher assigns 100 high school students who are either high or low in math aptitude to one of the following groups: the traditional instruction, computer-assisted instruction, or combination (traditional plus computer-assisted instruction) group. After ten weeks of instruction, the researcher determines each student’s score on a math achievement test. In this study, the independent variable(s) is/are _____.
Select one:

A.
type of instruction

B.
type of instruction and math aptitude

C.
math achievement test scores

D.
math aptitude and math achievement test scores

Answer 59

B.

type of instruction and math aptitude

Question 60

As a behavioral observation technique, event sampling (recording) is useful for behaviors that _____.
Select one:

A.
occur infrequently or have a long duration

B.
occur frequently or have a short duration

C.
occur randomly and involve a sequence of responses

D.
occur spontaneously and have no clear beginning or end

Answer 60

A.

occur infrequently or have a long duration

Question 61

An extraneous variable is a variable that is irrelevant to the purpose of a research study but confounds a study’s results because it _____.
Select one:

A.
has a systematic effect on the study’s dependent variable

B.
has a random effect on the study’s dependent variable

C.
has a systematic effect on the study’s independent variable

D.
has a random effect on the study’s independent variable

Answer 61

A.

has a systematic effect on the study’s dependent variable

Question 62

An investigator is studying the impact of stress on the ability to perform a complex mental rotation task. The investigator is trying to eliminate all confounds to the experiment so they can conclude that increased stress causes decrements in processing speed. What type of validity is the investigator trying to establish?
Select one:

A.
Face validity

B.
Construct validity

C.
Internal validity

D.
External validity

Answer 62

c. internal validity

Question 63

Campbell and Stanley (1966) identify which of the following as a direct threat to a study’s external, but not internal, validity?
Select one:

A.
Multiple treatment interference

B.
Statistical regression

C.
Maturation

D.
Attrition

Answer 63

A.

Multiple treatment interference

Question 64

When the number of participants in a research study is too small to use a completely counterbalanced research design, a researcher would use which of the following?
Select one:

A.
Changing criterion design

B.
Latin square design

C.
Multiple baseline design

D.
Solomon four-group design

Answer 64

B.

Latin square design

Question 65

A researcher would use which of the following techniques to evaluate the cause-and-effect or predictive relationships between measured variables and latent factors?
Select one:

A.
Meta-analysis

B.
Multitrait-multimethod matrix

C.
Discriminant function analysis

D.
Structural equation modeling

Answer 65

D.

Structural equation modeling