Question 1

A _____ is any event, situation, behavior, or individual characteristic that changes.

Accepted Answer

A variable is any measurable factor that can take on different values or change over time. This includes events, situations, behaviors, and individual characteristics that can vary across different people, places, or times. Variables are an essential concept in research, as they allow us to quantify and study the relationships between different factors and outcomes. Modules, parameters, and systems are not necessarily related to changes, so they are not the best choices for this definition.

Question 2

A researcher finds that the more a song is played on the radio, the greater the liking for the song. However, she also finds that if the song is played too much, people start to dislike the song. In the context of relationship between variables, what type of relationship exists between the song and its likeness factor?

Accepted Answer

The researcher has found that there is a curvilinear relationship between the song and its likeness factor. As the song is played more, the liking for the song increases, indicating a positive relationship. However, if the song is played too much, people start to dislike it, indicating a negative relationship. Therefore, the relationship between the song and its likeness factor is best described as curvilinear.

Question 3

_____ validity concerns whether the methods of studying variables are accurate.

Accepted Answer

Construct validity refers to whether a test or experiment measures what it claims to be measuring, ensuring the accuracy of the methodology in studying the variables in question.

Question 4

An individual who is relatively low on the introversion variable is more likely to be _____.

Accepted Answer

Introversion and extraversion are opposite ends of the same spectrum. Individuals who are low on introversion are more likely to be extraverted, meaning they are outgoing and sociable.

Question 5

Roger, a researcher, conducted a study to analyze the impact of alcohol exposure during childhood. He found that the more a person was exposed to alcohol during childhood, the more likely he or she will experience alcoholism as an adult. In this case, there is _____ relationship between alcohol exposure during childhood and alcoholism.

Accepted Answer

This is because the relationship between alcohol exposure during childhood and alcoholism is directly proportional, meaning that as one variable (alcohol exposure) increases, the other variable (likelihood of alcoholism) also increases in a straight line. Therefore, it is a positive linear relationship.

Question 6

The _____ definition of a variable is the set of procedures used to measure or manipulate it.

Accepted Answer

The operational definition of a variable refers to the specific procedures or operations used to measure or manipulate that variable. This definition helps ensure consistency and accuracy in research by providing clear guidelines for how the variable will be measured or manipulated in a study. The other options (technical, general, legal) do not specifically address the procedures used to measure or manipulate a variable.

Question 7

Jim, a psychiatrist, is developing a method to study mood swings in individuals. He asks individuals to describe the frequency and intensity of mood swings and rates them on a scale of 1 to 10. He desires to develop treatment plan according to average outcomes of frequency and intensity of mood swings. In this context, Jim is trying to _____ the variable "mood swing."

Accepted Answer

Jim is operationalizing the variable "mood swing" by translating it into measurable and quantifiable data that can be analyzed to develop a treatment plan.

Question 8

In the context of relationship between variables, what type of relationship is present between the variables when increases in the values of one variable are associated with decreases in the values of a second variable?

Accepted Answer

A negative linear relationship is present when increases in the values of one variable are associated with decreases in the values of a second variable, which means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases in a linear pattern.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true of the operational definitions of variables?

Accepted Answer

A variable must have an operational definition to be studied empirically. This means that in order to measure and observe a variable in a scientific study, it needs to be defined in a specific and observable way. Without an operational definition, it would be difficult to objectively measure and analyze a variable. Option A is incorrect as variables that are subjective and abstract like "pain" are actually harder to operationalize. Option B is incorrect as operational definitions bring clarity and precision to a study. Option D is incorrect as operational definitions aim to make abstract concepts clear and measurable through specific definitions.

Question 10

Which of the following statements best describes construct validity?

Accepted Answer

Construct validity refers to the extent to which a measure accurately captures the theoretical concept or construct it is intended to measure. It deals with how well the operational definition of a variable aligns with the theoretical concept. Option A refers to internal validity, Option C refers to external validity, and Option D refers to causal validity.

Question 11

A psychologist develops a measure of self-esteem in order to study the variable of self-esteem. He then conducts a number of studies investigating the differences between candidates who score low and candidates who score high on self-esteem. He does so to devise an accurate method of studying self-esteem. In this case, the psychologist is trying to establish _____.

Accepted Answer

The psychologist is trying to establish construct validity, which refers to the extent to which a measure accurately assesses the construct (in this case, self-esteem) it purports to measure. By conducting studies to investigate differences between low and high scorers on self-esteem, the psychologist is trying to establish that the measure is accurate and valid. Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study establishes a causal relationship between variables, reliability refers to the consistency of a measure over time, and reactivity refers to the possibility that participants may modify their behavior in response to being observed. None of these concepts are directly relevant to the scenario described.

Question 12

In the context of relationship between variables, increases in the values of one variable are accompanied by increases in the values of the second variable in a _____ relationship.

Accepted Answer

A positive linear relationship means that as one variable increases, the other variable also increases in a proportional manner. Therefore, this choice is the best description for the given scenario. Non-linear, negative linear, and curvilinear relationships do not fit the given scenario.

Question 13

In the context of relationship between variables, when increases in the values of one variable are associated with both increases and decreases in the values of a second variable, what type of relationship is present between the variables?

Accepted Answer

A curvilinear relationship is one where increases in one variable are associated with both increases and decreases in another variable, indicating a non-linear pattern.

Question 14

In a curvilinear relationship, increases in the values of one variable are accompanied by systematic increases and decreases in the values of the other variable. Due of this type of correlation between variables, curvilinear relationship is also called a(n) _____ function.

Accepted Answer

A nonmonotonic function describes a relationship where changes in one variable lead to non-constant changes in another variable. This describes the systematic increases and decreases seen in a curvilinear relationship. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately describe this type of relationship.

Question 15

Which of the following is an important benefit in operationally defining a variable?

Accepted Answer

Operational definitions specify how variables are measured or manipulated in a study, which helps ensure that other researchers understand exactly what is being discussed. This clarity is crucial for replication, interpretation, and general communication within the scientific community.

Question 16

In the context of relationship between variables, identify a difference between negative and curvilinear relationships.

Accepted Answer

A negative relationship between variables means that as the value of one variable increases, the value of the other variable decreases. On the other hand, a curvilinear relationship between variables can show both an increase and a decrease in values, forming a U or an inverted U shape on a graph.

Question 17

An HR executive of a company studies the effect of size of project teams on the teams' performance. He found that team size was not associated with any particular change in performance. In the context of relationship between variables, what type of relationship exists between the size of project teams and their performance?

Accepted Answer

The HR executive found that team size was not associated with any particular change in performance, which means there is no relationship between the size of project teams and their performance. Therefore, the best choice is D, which represents no relationship.

Question 18

The management at Burgerjoy, a small restaurant, finds that the lower the price of hamburgers, the more hamburgers are sold. This is an example of _____ relationship between price and number of hamburgers sold.

Accepted Answer

A negative linear relationship means that as one variable (price) decreases, the other variable (number of hamburgers sold) increases at a constant rate. In this case, the management has found that when the price of hamburgers is lowered, more hamburgers are sold, indicating a negative linear relationship between price and the number of hamburgers sold.

Question 19

An advertising agency conducted a research to analyze the effects of advertising on consumer buying behavior. It was found that higher frequency of advertising resulted in more sales of the product being advertised. In this case, there is _____ relationship between the frequency of advertising and the sales of the product.

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that higher frequency of advertising resulted in more sales, indicating a direct and positive relationship between the frequency of advertising and sales of the product. This suggests a linear pattern where an increase in one variable leads to a proportional increase in the other variable. Hence, the best choice is A) positive linear.

Question 20

In the context of relationship between variables, when the graph is simply a flat line, it shows that there is _____ between the two variables.

Accepted Answer

A flat line indicates that there is no relationship between the two variables. This means that as one variable changes, the other variable does not change in a consistent or predictable way. This is also known as a zero correlation or no correlation.

Quiz 4: Fundamental Research Issues