Deck 4: Basic Experimental Design

Question 1

A true experiment uses which of the following:

A) random assignment to condition
B) a control group
C) an experimental or treatment group
D) All of the above

Answer 1

All of the above

Question 2

In the Isen, Daubman, and Nowicki (1987) experiment on positive affect and problem solving, the independent variable was:

A) the Duncker candle task
B) the humorous or neutral film
C) how quickly they solved the problem
D) whether the problem was solved correctly in the time available

Answer 2

the humorous or neutral film

Question 3

In the Isen, Daubman, and Nowicki (1987) experiment on positive affect and problem solving, the dependent variable was:

A) the Duncker candle task
B) the humorous or neutral film
C) how quickly they solved the problem
D) whether the problem was solved correctly in the time available

Answer 3

whether the problem was solved correctly in the time available

Question 4

The Isen, Daubman, and Nowicki (1987) experiment on positive affect and problem solving is best classified as:

A) a pre-test posttest control group design
B) a posttest-only control group design
C) observational research
D) correlational research

Question 5

A ____ definition portrays the relationships among variables in an abstract way, while a ____ definition transforms variables into concrete forms that can be manipulated and measured.

A) descriptive; operational
B) individualized; descriptive
C) operational; descriptive
D) hypothetical; operational

Question 6

Independent variables:

A) are under the control of the experimenter
B) must have at least two levels
C) represent "cause" that changes behavior
D) all of the above

Question 7

The dependent variable is the variable the researcher manipulates in an experiment.

Question 8

The age, race, education, and marital status of research participants are all variables that cannot be controlled by an experimenter. Yet, these variables could alter the participants' actions in an experiment. Psychologists call these variables:

A) independent variables
B) trait variables
C) subject variables
D) random variables

Question 9

A social psychologists posts a "call for volunteer participants" on a bulletin board in the psychology lounge. Students then sign up to take part in research for extra credit. These students constitute a:

A) population
B) random sample
C) convenience sample
D) selected sample

Question 10

When participants are exposed to only one level of a given independent variable, they are probably taking part in a:

A) within-subjects research design
B) between -subjects research design
C) haphazard research design
D) none of the above

Question 11

According to Isen, Daubman, and Nowicki (1987) and other social psychologists, how does positive affect or good mood affect people's problem solving abilities?

Question 12

What are the necessary qualities for a true experiment?

Question 13

What is the role of random assignment in true experiments? How does random assignment affect the influence of individual differences (also known as subject variables)?

Question 14

Why should a social psychologist need to have a control in an experiment? What is the specific purpose of a control group?

Question 15

List some of the advantages of experiments over other sorts of studies (e.g., observational research, correlational research).

Question 16

Discuss several of the qualities of a good research hypothesis.

Question 17

Explain the distinction between descriptive and operational definitions. Use examples to illustrate your points.

Question 18

Why is it accurate to say that the value of the dependent variable depends on the independent variable? Explain.

Question 19

Which is worse in an experiment: random error or systematic error? Why?

Question 20

Why are subject variables said to be "immune to randomization"? What do social psychologists do to deal with the potential problems posed by subject variables?

Question 21

What is a convenience or haphazard sample of participants? How do such samples differ from a random sample? Describe a convenience sample versus a random sample.

Question 22

Explain the difference between a within-subjects design and a between-subjects design. Provide a hypothetical example of each.

Question 23

What is counterbalancing? Why is this technique associated with within-subjects research designs?

Question 24

What is a Latin Square Design? Why do researchers use such designs?

Question 25

What are carryover effects? When do they occur in the context of research designs? List and describe three carryover effects.