Chapter 9 - Non-Experimental Design I: Survey Methods

Question 1

Survey

Answer 1

A descriptive method in which participants are asked a series of questions or respond to a series of statements about a topic.

Question 2

Self Selection Problem

Answer 2

In surveys, when the sample is composed of only those who voluntarily choose to respond, the result can be a biased sample.

Question 3

Open-Ended Questions

Answer 3

A type of question found on surveys that requires a narrative response rather than a yes or no answer.

Question 4

Closed Questions

Answer 4

A type of question found on surveys that can be answered yes or a no or by marking a point on a scale.

Question 5

Leading Question

Answer 5

In a survey, a question asked in such a way that the answer desired by the questioner is clear.

Question 6

DK Alternative

Answer 6

In survey research, when assessing levels of participant knowledge, this is an alternative that means don’t know. Advantage: doesn’t force a choice when the respondent truly does not know. Disadvantage: may be chosen too often.

Question 7

Demographic Information

Answer 7

Data that classifies or identifies individuals (e.g., gender, age, income). it is best to put it at the end of a survey.

Question 8

Double-Barreled Question

Answer 8

In a survey, a question or statement that asks or states two different things in a single item.

Question 9

Interview Survey

Answer 9

A survey method in which the researcher interviews the participant face to face; allows for more in‐depth surveying (e.g., follow‐up questions and clarifications).
Advantages: follow‐up questions, ambiguous questions can be clarified.
Disadvantages: cost, logistics, representativeness. It means that the sample is a good reflection of the wider population; survey results from a representative sample can be generalized to the population.

Question 10

Social Desirability Bias

Answer 10

A type of response bias in survey research; occurs when people respond to a question by trying to put themselves in a favourable light.

Question 11

Phone Surveying

Answer 11

A survey method in which the researcher asks questions over the phone.
Mixed Mode = Combining methods of survey delivery, such as sending an email or mailing a letter prior to a phone survey

Question 12

Online Survey

Answer 12

Survey research conducted over the Internet; can be a survey sent via e‐mail or posted on a website or social media site.

Question 13

Positive Correlation

Answer 13

A relationship between variables X and Y such that a high score for X is associated with a high score for Y and a low score for X is associated with a low score for Y.

Question 14

Negative Correlation

Answer 14

A relationship between variables X and Y such that a high score for X is associated with a low score for Y and a low score for X is associated with a high score for Y.

Question 15

Scatterplot

Answer 15

A graph depicting the relationship shown by a correlation.

Question 16

Pearson’s R (Coefficient of Correlation)

Answer 16

Measure of the size of a correlation between two variables; ranges from a perfect positive correlation of +1.00 to a perfect negative correlation of −1.00; if r = 0, then no relationship exists between the variables.

Question 17

Regression Line

Answer 17

Summarizes the points of a scatterplot and provides the means for making predictions.

Question 18

Criterion Variable

Answer 18

Form of validity in which a psychological measure is able to predict some future behaviour or is meaningfully related to some other measure.

Question 19

Coefficient of Determination

Answer 19

For two correlated factors, the proportion of variance in one factor that can be attributed to the second factor; found by squaring Pearson’s r.

Question 20

Predictor Variable

Answer 20

In a regression analysis, the variable used to predict the criterion variable (e.g., SAT scores are used to predict college grades).

Question 21

Bivariate Analysis

Answer 21

A statistical analysis investigating the relationship between two variables.

Question 22

Multivariate Analysis

Answer 22

A statistical analysis investigating the relationships among more than two variables.

Question 23

Multiple Regression

Answer 23

A multivariate analysis that includes a criterion variable and two or more predictor variables; the predictors have different weights.

In simple, linear regression there is one predictor variable, whereas in multiple regression, there is more than one predictor variable; in both, there will be just one criterion variable.

Question 24

Cross-Lagged Panel Correlation

Answer 24

A type of correlational research designed to deal with the directionality problem; if variables X and Y are measured at two different times and if X precedes Y, then X might cause Y but Y cannot cause X.

Question 25

Third Variable Problem

Answer 25

The problem of drawing causal conclusions in correlational research; third variables are uncontrolled factors that could underline a correlation between variables X and Y.

Question 26

Partial Correlation

Answer 26

A multivariate statistical procedure for evaluating the effects of third variables; if the correlation between X and Y remains high, even after some third factor Z has been partial out, then Z can be eliminated as a third variable.

Question 27

Mediating Variable

Answer 27

A controlled (measured) third variable that explains how or why a relationship exists between two correlated variables.

Question 28

Moderating Variable

Answer 28

A controlled (measured) third variable that explains under what conditions does the relationship between two variables exists; also called a moderator.