Question 1

Independent samples t-tests compare _____ groups.

Accepted Answer

Independent samples t-tests are used to compare the means of two separate groups.

Question 2

Perhaps some of the most important information recorded in the researcher notes for identification purposes are the:

Accepted Answer

Participant ID and condition assignment are crucial for identifying and differentiating participants within a study, especially in terms of tracking who received which treatment or was in which experimental group.

Question 3

Gustave is testing whether participants are more likely to comply with a request from an individual wearing a uniform than from someone in more casual clothes. Which of the following questions would be an appropriate manipulation check or measure to help determine if the independent variable was appropriately administered for his study?

Accepted Answer

The correct manipulation check for determining if the independent variable (the attire of the requester) was appropriately administered is to ask participants what the requester was wearing. This directly assesses whether the manipulation (uniform vs. casual clothes) was noticed by the participants.

Question 4

The independent samples t-test compares:

Accepted Answer

The independent samples t-test is used to compare the means of two independent groups to see if there is a statistically significant difference between them.

Question 5

Kimberly wants to know whether running on a treadmill leads to more weight loss than running outside. To test this hypothesis, she randomly assigns participants to either run on a treadmill or run on an outdoor trail. She then measures their weight loss. Would it be appropriate for her to analyze her data using an independent samples t-test?

Accepted Answer

Kimberly is conducting an experiment where she manipulates the independent variable by assigning participants to either run on a treadmill or run outside. This creates two distinct groups (treadmill runners and outdoor runners), making it appropriate to compare the means of their weight loss using an independent samples t-test. This test is designed for comparing the means of two independent groups in experimental designs like hers.

Question 6

When would using an independent samples t-test be appropriate?

Accepted Answer

An independent samples t-test is appropriate when comparing the means of two independent groups, which corresponds to having two levels of the independent variable.

Question 7

The use of a confederate in a study is helpful because a confederate will:

Accepted Answer

Confederates are individuals who are in on the experiment and know its aims, but who act as participants. Their role is often to ensure consistency in the treatment of all participants, thereby increasing the reliability of the experiment's results. They are not from another university specifically for this purpose (A), they are not unknowing participants (B), and their role is not to be difficult or have their data removed (C).

Question 8

Researcher notes are:

Accepted Answer

Researcher notes are indeed a collection of comments that document any abnormalities or noteworthy events that occurred during the study, ensuring that all aspects of the research process are transparent and comprehensible for future reference or analysis.

Question 9

Researchers' notes during an experiment should report any experiences relevant to the participants and therefore assist in all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Researchers' notes help in minimizing alternative explanations, documenting abnormalities, and identifying issues during data collection, but they aim to control or understand the impact of extraneous variables, not increase it.

Question 10

Virtual reality has been used to increase _____ and helps to make a study feel as real as possible.

Accepted Answer

Virtual reality is often used to enhance experimental realism, making the study environment feel more immersive and lifelike for participants.

Question 11

Valentino is a health psychologist who is working on a campaign to encourage people to take the stairs instead of the elevator. He places information in the elevators in his building. In one location the information highlights the negative consequences of taking the elevator. In another location, the information highlights the positive consequences of taking the stairs. He then measures how many people change their behavior at each location. What measure could Valentino include as a manipulation check?

Accepted Answer

A manipulation check is a test used to determine if the experimental manipulation has the intended effect on the participants. In this case, asking participants about the content of the poster in their location (B) directly assesses whether they noticed and can recall the information presented, which is crucial for determining if the manipulation (information highlighting negative consequences of taking the elevator or positive consequences of taking the stairs) was effectively communicated.

Question 12

Juanita recruits participants for a study examining the impact of adrenaline on attraction. In her study she randomly assigns participants to either receive a placebo injection or an injection of adrenaline. All participants then rate the desirability of potential romantic partners. Juanita is conducting a(n) _____ and the appropriate statistical test is a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

Juanita is conducting a two-group experiment because she has two groups (placebo and adrenaline) and she manipulates the independent variable (type of injection). The appropriate statistical test for comparing means between two independent groups is the independent samples t-test.

Question 13

Confederates can be used to increase:

Accepted Answer

Confederates are actors employed by the researcher to play a specific role in the experiment. Their behavior is controlled by the researcher, which increases experimental control by ensuring that all participants receive a standardized treatment or experience. This helps in isolating the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

Question 14

_____ is the extent to which the research setting influences the participant's behavior.

Accepted Answer

Experimental realism refers to the degree to which the experimental setup mirrors real-life situations, thus potentially influencing the participant's behavior as they react to the scenario as if it were real.

Question 15

When entering data into a statistical computer program like SPSS, the key difference between experimental data and survey data is:

Accepted Answer

The key difference when entering experimental data into a statistical program like SPSS is the inclusion of a column for the independent variable, which is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable. This is not necessarily the case with survey data, where variables are not manipulated in the same way.

Question 16

Charles works at a newspaper as a fact-checker. His job is to verify claims to ensure that any conclusions made by the reporters are, based on a given set of ever-changing daily news events, correct. Charles is the metaphorical _____ of the newspaper.

Accepted Answer

Charles' job is to verify claims, which is similar to the purpose of a manipulation check.

Question 17

An independent samples t-test that fails to reach statistical consequence indicates that:

Accepted Answer

When an independent samples t-test fails to reach statistical significance, it means there is not enough evidence to conclude that there is a significant difference between the groups being compared. This does not prove or disprove the hypothesis; it simply indicates insufficient evidence to support a difference.

Question 18

Isabel would like for her experiment to have as much experimental realism as possible. Accordingly, when examining the impact of fear on memory, she uses _____ to induce participants' fear.

Accepted Answer

Using an actual snake to induce fear would create a more realistic and immersive experience for the participants, thereby increasing the experimental realism of the study.

Question 19

For which of the following would an independent samples t-test be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

An independent samples t-test is most appropriate for comparing the means of two independent groups to see if there is a statistically significant difference between them. Option A involves comparing two distinct groups (those who took an SAT preparation class and those who did not) on a single continuous outcome (performance), making it the best fit for an independent samples t-test.

Question 20

_____ is a measure that helps determine whether the modification effectively changed (or varied) the independent variable across conditions.

Accepted Answer

Manipulation check is used to determine if the manipulation of the independent variable has had the intended effect on the participants, ensuring that the changes in the independent variable were indeed perceived or experienced by the participants as intended.

Quiz 8: Two-Group Design: Texting: I Cant Get You Out of My Mind