Variables, Design And Hypotheses Flashcards
What is the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?
1) The variable being measured
2) The variable intentionally manipulated by the researcher
3) The variable that is influenced by confounding factors
4) The constant variable in the study
The variable intentionally manipulated by the researcher
What is the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?
1) The variable being manipulated
2) The variable measured to assess the effect of the IV
3) The variable controlled to eliminate confounding
4) A variable that remains constant
The variable measured to assess the effect of the IV
What is the primary characteristic of a quasi-experiment?
1) The independent variable cannot be manipulated
2) The independent variable is manipulated randomly
3) The dependent variable is categorical
4) The study involves only observational methods
The independent variable cannot be manipulated
Which design uses the same participants across all levels of the IV?
1) Between-subjects design
2) Matched-subjects design
3) Within-subjects design
4) Correlational design
Within-subjects design
What is a key drawback of a within-subjects design?
1) It requires a larger sample size
2) It introduces potential order effects
3) It does not allow for random assignment
4) It lacks control for confounding variables
It introduces potential order effects
What is the purpose of counterbalancing in a within-subjects design?
1) To reduce random error
2) To control for order effects like practice or fatigue
3) To balance the sample size between groups
4) To eliminate confounding variables
To control for order effects like practice or fatigue
What type of variable is “preferred travel method: car, bus, train”?
1) Nominal
2) Ordinal
3) Interval
4) Ratio
Nominal
What distinguishes ratio scales from interval scales?
1) Ratio scales have an absolute zero, while interval scales do not
2) Interval scales are qualitative, while ratio scales are quantitative
3) Ratio scales measure categories, while interval scales measure ranks
4) Interval scales have absolute zero, while ratio scales do not
Ratio scales have an absolute zero, while interval scales do not
What is a confounding variable?
1) A variable that cannot be manipulated or controlled
2) A variable that varies systematically with the IV and may influence the DV
3) A variable with no impact on the results
4) A constant in the experimental design
A variable that varies systematically with the IV and may influence the DV
What is the null hypothesis ( H_0 ) in hypothesis testing?
1) A prediction of a significant difference between variables
2) A statement that there is no effect or difference in the population
3) A directional hypothesis predicting specific changes
4) A test to validate the research hypothesis
A statement that there is no effect or difference in the population
What is the alternative hypothesis ( H_1 )?
1) A statement predicting no relationship between variables
2) A logical alternative to the null hypothesis predicting a difference or relationship
3) A non-directional hypothesis without a specific outcome
4) A hypothesis that cannot be tested empirically
A logical alternative to the null hypothesis predicting a difference or relationship
What makes null and alternative hypotheses mutually exclusive?
1) They address unrelated research questions
2) Only one of the hypotheses can be true at a time
3) Both hypotheses must include the same variables
4) They cannot be tested in the same experiment
Only one of the hypotheses can be true at a time
Which of the following is an example of a directional hypothesis?
1) There will be a difference in reaction times for congruent and incongruent stimuli
2) Reaction times will be shorter for congruent stimuli than for incongruent stimuli
3) There will be no difference in reaction times between congruent and incongruent stimuli
4) Reaction times will vary independently of the stimulus condition
Reaction times will be shorter for congruent stimuli than for incongruent stimuli
What is the key feature of a between-subjects design?
1) Participants are exposed to all levels of the IV
2) Participants are randomly assigned to one level of the IV
3) Participants act as their own control group
4) The same participants are matched across conditions
Participants are randomly assigned to one level of the IV
How are hypotheses tested in inferential statistics?
1) By observing the entire population directly
2) By calculating the exact probability of the alternative hypothesis being true
3) By rejecting or failing to reject the null hypothesis based on the p-value
4) By comparing raw data without statistical models
By rejecting or failing to reject the null hypothesis based on the p-value
