Stats Quiz Questions Flashcards
1
Q
Your research study involves assessing the effects of two independent variables on three dependent variables. In this situation, you should conduct a MANOVA to analyze the data collected rather than separate factorial ANOVAs to_____
A
control the experiment wise error rate.
2
Q
A researcher uses a factorial ANOVA to statistically analyze the effects of four types of training strategies and three levels of self-efficacy on a measure of job performance. Based on the results, there are significant main effects of each independent variable and a significant interaction. The researcher will conclude that:
A
the most effective type of training depends on level of self-efficacy.
3
Q
A moderator variable:
A
affects the direction or strength of the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
4
Q
To use scores obtained on the eight subscales of the Parental Activities Scale to predict scores on the five subscales of the Child Adjustment Profile, you would use:
A
canonical correlation.
5
Q
Researchers use structural equation modeling (SEM) to_____.
A
evaluate the causal (predictive) influences of multiple latent factors
6
Q
When conducting a one-way ANOVA to compare the effects of four different diets on weight loss, an F-ratio of _____ suggests that there may be a significant difference between the types of diets?
A
15.5 (must be greater than 1)
7
Q
A multiple regression equation yields a predicted criterion score for an examinee based on the examinee’s scores on the predictors included in a test battery. When computing a multiple regression equation, each test is weighted_____.
A
in direct proportion to its correlation with the criterion and in inverse proportion to its correlation with the other predictors in the test battery
8
Q
A researcher would choose an ANCOVA to _____.
A
statistically remove error variance that is attributable to a known extraneous variable
9
Q
You would use a factorial ANOVA to statistically analyze data when_____.
A
the study includes two or more independent variables
10
Q
A distribution of scores is _____ when it is more “peaked” than a normal distribution.
A
Leptokurtic
11
Q
In a normal distribution of test scores, approximately ____% of scores are more than two standard deviations above the mean.
A
2.5
12
Q
When conducting a one-way ANOVA, you calculate an F-ratio by_____.
A
dividing the mean square between (MSB) by the mean square within (MSW)
MSB over MSW- because a Masters in Biology is over an MSW
13
Q
When using the analysis of variance, calculation of the F-ratio involves_____.
A
comparing between-group variability to within-group variability
14
Q
A developmental psychologist finds that low birthweight is associated with a higher risk for ADHD in boys but not girls. In this situation, gender is a(n)_____.
A
Moderator variable
15
Q
When the homogeneity of variance assumption for the analysis of variance is violated, the results of your statistical analysis are least likely to be invalid when_____
A
the groups contain the same number of participants.
16
Q
A research study includes three independent variables and four dependent variables. All of the dependent variables are measured on an interval or ratio scale. To control the “experiment-wise error rate,” it would be best to use which of the following statistical tests to analyze the data collected in this study?
A
MANOVA
17
Q
The best way to maximize a research study’s external validity is to_____
A
randomly select research participants from the target population.
18
Q
Which of the following research designs would be useful for controlling the effects of a potential confounding organismic variable on the results of a research study when participants’ scores on that variable are known at the beginning of the study?
A
Randomized block
19
Q
The owner of several used-car lots wants to determine the effectiveness of sales training for their salespeople. The owner randomly assigns one lot to Training Program #1, another to Training Program #2, and a third to a no-treatment condition. One of the training group lots happens to be in a low-income neighborhood, while the other two lots are in a middle-income neighborhood. The owner will compare the gross sales of the three lots during a randomly-chosen week in the middle of the summer after the training programs have been completed. The effects of the location of the car lots_____
A
Is a threat to internal validity
20
Q
The Solomon four-group design is used to evaluate the effects of pretesting on a research study’s_____
A
internal and external validity.
21
Q
A researcher wants to investigate the effects of a brief treatment for a group of 10 therapy clients before and after the treatment is applied. The researcher will measure symptom severity three times at regular intervals before administering the treatment to the clients and then three times at regular intervals after the clients complete the 10 sessions. The researcher is using which of the following research designs?
A
Interrupted time-series design
22
Q
If the relationship between level of anxiety (the independent variable) and number of words recalled (the dependent variable) is nonlinear, which of the following would be most useful for statistically evaluating the relationship between the two variables?
A
Trend analysis
23
Q
Interval recording is most useful _____.
A
for behaviors without a clear beginning or end (e.g., on-task behavior) and involves recording whether or not the behavior occurred during each interval
24
Q
Cluster sampling involves_____.
A
selecting units rather than individuals
25
A researcher instructs a participant to "think aloud" while solving complex geometry problems to identify the thought processes that underlie successful and unsuccessful problem-solving. The participant's verbalizations will be recorded and analyzed. This technique is known as_____.
Protocol analysis
26
The primary characteristic that distinguishes true experimental research from quasi-experimental research is that, in the former,_____.
Random assignment
27
When using the technique known as blocking _____.
the researcher is trying to control the effects of a (confounding) extraneous variable
28
To assess the effects of a stimulus control procedure on eating behaviors, Dr. Barry Buvette obtains a sample of 20 overweight females and 20 overweight males and determines their average daily caloric intake and satisfaction with their food consumption during the seven days before and seven days after training in the procedure. The dependent variable(s) in this study is/are_____.
average daily caloric intake and satisfaction with their food consumption
29
Dr. Angela Angst is using a repeated measures design to compare the effects of different techniques for reducing free-floating anxiety. To control potential carryover effects, Dr. Angst should use which of the following?
Counterbalancing
30
An interviewer unintentionally nods whenever research participants answer the questions in ways that confirm the study's research hypothesis. The interviewer's behavior is best described as an example of which of the following?
Demand characteristics
31
A psychologist evaluates the effects of a 15-month training program on the conservation skills of preoperational children by administering a measure of conservation to the same group of children before and at the end of training. The psychologist finds that significantly more children are able to conserve after the program than before the program. The biggest threat to this study's internal validity is_____.
Maturation
32
: In which of the following types of research studies do participants act as their own "controls"?
Single-subject
33
A psychologist obtains a statistically significant F-ratio for the interaction between two independent variables (IVs). This means that_____.
the relationship between a factor and the response differs by the level of the other factor
34
A researcher would use the Solomon four-group design to control which of the following threats to the validity of a research study?
Pre-testing effects
35
As applied to research design, "external validity" refers to which of the following?
The extent to which a researcher can apply or generalize the results of a study to the larger population (i.e., other situations, groups, or events).
36
For children with ADHD, an academic achievement test has a mean of 40 and a standard deviation of 8. Assuming that the distribution of scores is normally shaped, you can conclude that 16% of these children obtained scores below a score of_____.
32 (1SD)
37
In a negatively skewed distribution of scores_____.
most of the scores fall in the high end with few falling in the low end. The mean is less than the mode.
38
To conclude that one research participant has twice as much of a characteristic than another participant, your measure of that characteristic must produce scores that represent which scale of measurement?
Ratio (need to be ratio to use mathematical comparisons)
39
In a leptokurtic distribution,_____.
the distribution is more "peaked" than normal
| Lepto like repto (reptile up on its hind legs, tall and peaky)
40
In a platykurtic distribution,_____.
the distribution is "flatter" than normal
41
Researchers use non-parametric tests to analyze data on variables measured_____.
on a nominal or ordinal scale
42
When assessing the impact of gender on preference for three different study methods (written materials, workshop, combination of written materials and workshop), you would use which of the following statistical tests to analyze the data you collect from 100 psychologists who have just started preparing for the licensing exam?
Different category of preparation are nominal variables, so its multiple same chi square test
- multiple sample bc its impact of gender on prep
43
When a researcher compares the difference between two means to assess the effects of an independent variable on a dependent variable, they will have the most confidence in their decision to reject the null hypothesis if the results are statistically significant at the ___ level of significance.
.01 (smallest number available)
44
Changing the level of significance (alpha) from .01 to .05 will_____.
increase the probability of committing a Type-I error and thus incorrectly rejecting a true null hypothesis
45
The standard error of the mean (SEM) decreases as_____.
sample size increases
46
According to the Central Limit Theorem, the shape of the sampling distribution of means_____.
will approach normality as the sample size increases
47
What increases the power of a statistical test?
Increasing alpha
48
Dr. Terry Tas obtains SAT scores from a sample of 30 high school seniors following their participation in a workshop designed to improve SAT scores. The appropriate statistical test for comparing the mean score obtained by these students to the national mean is which of the following?
Single samples t-test
49
Meta-analysis is used to describe _____.
a quantitative integration of research studies involving the calculation and aggregation of "effect size" estimates
50
The t-test for dependent samples is used to analyze the data collected in a study involving 36 participants whose depressive symptoms are measured before and after receiving 12 sessions of therapy. The degrees of freedom for this study are_____.
35 (n-1)
51
: A researcher will use trend analysis to analyze the collected data in a research study when _____.
the study involves one or more quantitative independent variables and the researcher wants to evaluate the shape, pattern, or form of the relationship between independent and dependent variables
52
A researcher would use a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to analyze the data collected in a study when _____.
the study includes one or more independent variables and two or more dependent variables that are each measured on an interval or ratio scale
53
A high school counselor uses a battery of tests to help high school juniors and seniors choose a college major. Which of the following multivariate techniques would be most helpful in this situation?
Discriminant function analysis (trying to produce a nominal score based on an interval scale)
54
The correlation coefficient for Test A and Test B is -.40. This means that ___% of variability in Test A scores is shared in common with Test B scores.
16 (0.4^2x100)
55
To determine the degree of association between gender and attitude toward abortion when the attitude measure represents an interval scale, you would use which of the following correlation coefficients?
Point biserial (comparing a dichotomy to an interval or ratio)
56
When using path analysis, you are _____.
testing the validity of a model that describes the causal relationship between a dependent variable and two or more independent variables
57
Eta is used _____.
to measure the relationship between two continuous (interval or ratio) variables when their relationship is nonlinear
58
Autocorrelation would most likely be a problem when an investigator uses which of the following research designs?
Time-series
59
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?
Time-series
60
Which of the following would be useful for measuring the strength of the relationship between two continuous variables when their relationship is nonlinear?
Eta coefficient
61
The phi coefficient is used
when both variables are true dichotomies.
62
Spearman rho is used
when both variables are ranks.
63
The Pearson r is used when
both variables are continuous and their relationship is linear.
64
When using protocol analysis, a researcher asks an individual to _____.
think aloud while solving a complex problem
65
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 _____.
not likely to be a problem as long as the three groups have the same number of participants
66
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 _____.
interpret the main effects with caution since the interaction is significant
67
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 _____.
we want to reduce the probability of making a Type I error
(If three separate ANOVAs were conducted at a level of significance of .05 each, the "experiment wise error rate" (probability of making a Type I error) would be increased to approximately .15. By conducting a single MANOVA at the .05 level, the experiment wise error rate remains at .05.)
68
Squaring the multiple correlation coefficient (R) produces a measure of the _____.
the amount of variability shared by three or more variables
69
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?
History
70
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?
Median (The mean is affected by the magnitude of every score in a distribution, but the median is not. In this situation, the median would not be affected by the magnitude of the three missing scores and, therefore, would be a more accurate measure of central tendency.)
71
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.
0.39 (sq root of .15)
72
In which of the following types of research do research participants act as their own no-treatment "controls"?
Single-subject
73
Researchers would use an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to _____.
statistically control variability in the dependent variable due to the effects of an extraneous variable
74
A psychologist conducts a t-test and concludes that the results are "significant at the .01 level." This means that _____.
there is a 1% chance the psychologist will incorrectly reject the null hypothesis
75
A researcher would use "counterbalancing" to _____.
control multiple treatment interference
76
"Sampling error" is _____.
the tendency of sample statistics to vary from population parameters due to the effects of random error
77
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?
T-test for dependent samples
78
The t-test for a single sample is used to
compare an obtained sample mean to a known population mean.
79
The t-test for independent samples is used to
compare the means from two unrelated groups.
80
When using a "multiple-baseline" design, a researcher will _____.
sequentially apply a treatment to different behaviors or participants
81
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)?
Point biserial
82
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 _____.
underestimate the relationship between the variables (nonlinear relationship, Pearson r assumes linearity and underestimates if assumption of linearity is violated)
83
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?
Interval recording
84
Trend analysis is a type of analysis of variance used when _____.
the independent variable is quantitative
85
In a scatterplot, the correlation between two variables is equal or close to zero when _____.
the range of Y scores at each value of X is equal to the total range of Y scores
86
To reduce the likelihood that experimenter expectancy will bias the results of a research study, you would use which of the following techniques?
Double-blind
87
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?
34
88
To increase statistical power, you would _____.
increase alpha from .01 to .05
89
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?
Path analysis
90
A teacher converts students' raw scores on a 200-item test to percent correct scores. What scale of measurement do the converted scores represent?
ratio
91
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?
T-test for dependent (related) samples
92
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?
Discriminant analysis (scores on two or more predictors to predict membership in a criterion group)
93
When designing a research study, an investigator would be concerned about the impact of pretest sensitization on the study's external validity if _____.
taking the pretest changes how the participants react to the treatment
94
The Central Limit Theorem predicts that the sampling distribution of means increasingly approaches _____.
a normal shape as the sample size increases regardless of the shape of the distribution of scores in the population
95
Statistical regression is a potential threat to a study's internal validity when _____.
participants are selected for inclusion in the study because of their extremely high or low scores on the pretest
96
When using stepwise multiple regression, the addition of predictors to the equation is usually based on _____.
the magnitude of R-squared
97
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 _____.
there was a difference of one-half standard deviation between the means of the two groups
98
LISREL (linear structural relations analysis) would be the appropriate method of analysis if your causal model _____.
includes both measured (observed) attributes and latent traits
99
A factorial design _____.
always includes two or more independent variables
100
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?
Demand characteristics
101
Treatment diffusion (also known as treatment spillover) occurs when participants in one group
inadvertently receive (or learn about) the intervention that has been applied to participants in another group.
102
The denominator term in the F-ratio is reduced in magnitude by _____.
decreasing within-group variability
103
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?
Multiple baseline (because it does not require removal of a successful treatment)
104
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 _____.
at regular intervals during the baseline and the treatment phases of the study
105
A bivariate correlation coefficient of .60 indicates ________ times as much shared variability between variables as does a bivariate correlation coefficient of .30.
four (The correlation coefficient is squared to determine the amount of shared variability.)
106
A researcher makes a Type II error when they _____.
retain the null hypothesis when it is false
107
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?
Analogue
108
Which of the following statistical tests would be most appropriate for analyzing the relationship between gender and Holland's six occupational themes?
Multiple-sample chi-square (bc nominal)
109
The least squares criterion is used for _____.
identifying the line of best fit in a regression analysis
110
In what type of study would an investigator use the split-plot ANOVA to analyze the collected data?
A study in which each participant received only one level of Variable A but all levels of Variable B
111
An assumption underlying the use of regression analysis is that _____.
the relationship between X and Y is linear
112
To statistically analyze rank-ordered data obtained from two correlated groups, you would use which of the following?
Wilcoxon
113
The Mann-Whitney U test is used to
analyze rank-ordered data from two independent group
114
The Kruskal-Wallis test is used to
analyze rank-ordered data from two or more independent groups.
115
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?
Error only
116
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?
Canonical correlation
117
In the context of bivariate correlational techniques, "homoscedasticity" refers to _____.
the same range of Y scores at different values of X
118
When a distribution of scores is flatter than the normal distribution, we refer to it as _____.
Platykurtic (like flat)
119
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 _____.
type of instruction and math aptitude
120
As a behavioral observation technique, event sampling (recording) is useful for behaviors that _____.
occur infrequently or have a long duration
121
An extraneous variable is a variable that is irrelevant to the purpose of a research study but confounds a study's results because it _____.
has a systematic effect on the study's dependent variable
122
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?
Internal validity
123
Campbell and Stanley (1966) identify which of the following as a direct threat to a study's external, but not internal, validity?
Multiple treatment interference
124
Statistical regression, maturation, and attrition are all threats to
Internal validity
125
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?
Latin square design
126
The Solomon four-group design is used to
evaluate the effects of pretesting on a study's internal and external validity.
127
A researcher would use which of the following techniques to evaluate the cause-and-effect or predictive relationships between measured variables and latent factors?
Structural equation modeling
