Question 1

Variables are related to theoretical constructs via ___________________
A) Statistical analysis
B) Causality
C) Operational definitions
D) The progressive nature of science

Accepted Answer

Variables are related to theoretical constructs via operational definitions, which is defining a concept in terms of specific, observable events or processes. This allows for the measurement and manipulation of variables in research studies. Statistical analysis is used to analyze the data collected, but does not relate variables to theoretical constructs. Causality may be investigated through experimental research, but is not necessarily related to the conceptualization of variables and theoretical constructs. The progressive nature of science is a general perspective on how science evolves over time, but does not specifically address the relationship between variables and theoretical constructs.

Question 2

Consider the following title of a research study: "The effect of physical distance on ratings of attraction." In this study the dependent variable is
A) physical distances
B) ratings of attraction
C) actual attraction
D) not stated in the title

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or tested in the study, which in this case is the ratings of attraction. Physical distance is most likely the independent variable, as it is the variable that is being manipulated or controlled in order to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Question 3

If we were to measure a dependant variable's frequency, we would
A) count the number of times it occurred
B) time how long it took to achieve
C) time how long between responses
D) measure the shape of the behavior

Accepted Answer

Measuring a dependent variable's frequency involves counting the number of times it occurs, also known as event recording.

Question 4

Variables are ____________ while theoretical constructs are________________
A) Valid, Invalid
B) Tangible, Intangible
C) Quantitative, Qualitative
D) Continuous, Discrete

Accepted Answer

Variables are tangible, meaning that they are directly observable and measurable, while theoretical constructs are intangible and inferred from observable phenomena. For example, intelligence quotient (IQ) is a theoretical construct as it cannot be directly observed or measured, but it is inferred from behaviors and abilities that can be observed and measured.

Question 5

Which one of the following independent variables represents a categorical variable?
A) dosage level of a drug to be administered
B) amount of positive or negative reinforcement
C) distance from sound source in a test of auditory acuity
D) rote versus conceptual method of teaching

Accepted Answer

The rote versus conceptual method of teaching represents a categorical variable because it involves categories or groups (i.e. rote or conceptual) rather than a continuous measurement. The other options (dosage level, amount of reinforcement, distance) represent continuous variables that can take on any numerical value within a range.

Question 6

Suppose you have performed a study that showed a strong positive correlation between shoe size and intelligence. Since you can't be sure about cause and effect in this relationship, shoe size would be called
A) a subject variable
B) a dependent variable
C) an independent variable
D) a variable of interest

Accepted Answer

A variable of interest is one that is being studied to understand its relationship with another variable, in this case, intelligence.

Question 7

Professor Smith studied the effect of giving either two, four, or eight pellets of reward to rats that ran a maze. He measured how fast they ran, and how many wrong turns they made. How many levels of the independent variable did he have?
A) one
B) two
C) three
D) can't tell

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the number of pellets of reward, and there are three levels: two, four, or eight pellets.

Question 8

Consider the following research title: "Cooperation among nursery school children under two types of instruction." In this study the independent variable is
A) cooperation
B) types of instruction
C) nursery school children
D) not stated in the title

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the factor that is being manipulated or changed by the researcher, which is types of instruction in this case.

Question 9

Which one of the following statements does not contain both an independent and dependent variable?
A) The effects of physical distance on ratings of attraction
B) Children's defensive and aggressive behaviors in a school setting
C) Cooperation among nursery school children under two types of instruction
D) Sexually coercive behavior of college males as a function of masculinity and attitudes toward women's rights

Accepted Answer

The statement in option B only contains a dependent variable (defensive and aggressive behaviors) but does not specify an independent variable. The other options contain both an independent and dependent variable.

Question 10

Professor Jones studied the effect of two types of instructions on learning either nonsense words or real words by college sophomores. Which of the following is not a variable?
A) instructions
B) type of words
C) year in school
D) they are all variables

Accepted Answer

Year in school is not a variable in this study as it is a constant characteristic of the participants and is not being manipulated or measured in relation to the learning of words. A variable is a factor that can vary and can be manipulated or measured in a study. The other options (A, B, D) are all variables as they are being manipulated or measured in relation to the learning of words.

Question 11

Which one of the following variables represents a quantitative variable?
A) college major
B) political party affiliation
C) salary in dollars
D) type of life insurance owned

Accepted Answer

A quantitative variable is a numerical variable that represents a measurable quantity. Salary in dollars is a numerical variable and represents a quantity, making it a quantitative variable. Option A, B, and D are all categorical variables because they represent characteristics or attributes that do not have a numerical value.

Question 12

All independent variables have at least _______ levels
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Accepted Answer

Independent variables must have at least two levels in order to compare and analyze the effects of different conditions or treatments. A single level would not provide any variation to compare with, thus rendering the study meaningless. While having three or more levels may be helpful in providing more nuanced information about the effects of different conditions, it is not a necessary requirement for an independent variable to be valid.

Question 13

The term variable may best be defined as a
A) property of an event that can assume any of a range of values
B) label assigned to an observation
C) single number that allows one to summarize, analyze, or evaluate a group of observations
D) numerical value assigned to an observation

Accepted Answer

A variable is a property of an event or phenomenon that can take on different values. It can be a qualitative variable (categorical data) or a quantitative variable (numeric data). It is not just a label or a single number, but rather a characteristic of the data that can vary.

Question 14

The dependent variable in a study
A) Is a variable that is extraneous to the study
B) Is what is manipulated by the researcher
C) Reflects differences between subjects that cannot be controlled
D) Is the response that a subject makes

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed in a study. It is typically the response that a subject makes, such as their behavior, attitudes, or physiological changes. The other choices are incorrect: A) an extraneous variable is a variable that could affect the results but is not being studied; B) the independent variable is what is manipulated, not the dependent variable; C) differences between subjects that are not controlled are a potential confounding variable, not the dependent variable.

Question 15

To make sure that unintended variables do not confound a study, many potential variables
A) Are kept constant, or the same, across conditions
B) Can be made to co-vary with the independent variable
C) Are ignored
D) Are transformed into another measurement scale

Accepted Answer

Keeping potential variables constant across conditions ensures that their effects do not confound the study and allows for a clearer understanding of the relationship between the independent variable and the outcome variable. Co-varying potential variables with the independent variable or ignoring them can introduce confounding variables and decrease the internal validity of the study. Transforming potential variables into another measurement scale may help standardize the variable but does not necessarily control for its effects on the study outcome.

Question 16

A confounded variable is one that
A) doesn't vary
B) varies with the dependent variable
C) varies with the independent variable
D) isn't correlated with either the independent or dependent variable

Accepted Answer

A confounded variable is one that varies with the independent variable, making it difficult to determine if changes in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable or the confounding variable.

Question 17

A subject variable is aan)
A) incidental aspect of the study that is of no concern
B) confounded variable
C) dependent variable that the researcher does not measure
D) independent variable that the researcher does not manipulate

Accepted Answer

A subject variable is an independent variable that the researcher does not manipulate. It refers to pre-existing characteristics of the participants that may influence their behavior or responses in the study. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because subject variables are not incidental aspects of the study; they are important factors to consider. Option B is incorrect because confounded variables refer to factors that are unintentionally combined with the independent variable and may affect the results of the study. Option C is incorrect because dependent variables are the outcomes or measures that are affected by the independent variable.

Question 18

If we measured the miles per hour that Yolanda traveled when running, we would actually be measuring the _____________ of her behavior
A) Frequency
B) Locus
C) Duration
D) Rate

Accepted Answer

Miles per hour is a measure of the rate of Yolanda's behavior, specifically her running speed. Frequency refers to the number of times a behavior occurs within a specific time period, locus refers to the antecedent or environmental factors that trigger a behavior, and duration refers to the length of time a behavior lasts.

Question 19

Consider the following research title: "Sexually coercive behavior of college males as a function of masculinity and attitudes toward women's rights." In this study the dependent variable is
A) sexually coercive behavior
B) masculinity
C) attitudes toward women's rights
D) not stated in the title

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable being studied and measured in the research. In this case, it is the sexually coercive behavior of college males, making A the correct answer. Masculinity and attitudes toward women's rights are the independent variables, which are being tested to see if they have an effect on the dependent variable.

Question 20

The independent variable in a study
A) Is a variable that is extraneous to the study
B) Is believed to be responsible for the change in the dependent variable
C) Reflects differences between subjects that cannot be controlled
D) Is the response that a subject makes

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is believed to be responsible for the change in the dependent variable. It is the variable that is being manipulated or changed by the researcher in order to see its effect on the dependent variable.

Quiz 5: Variables

Variables are related to theoretical constructs via ___________________

Consider the following title of a research study: "The effect of physical distance on ratings of attraction." In this study the dependent variable is

If we were to measure a dependant variable's frequency, we would

Variables are while theoretical constructs are____

Which one of the following independent variables represents a categorical variable?

Suppose you have performed a study that showed a strong positive correlation between shoe size and intelligence. Since you can't be sure about cause and effect in this relationship, shoe size would be called

Professor Smith studied the effect of giving either two, four, or eight pellets of reward to rats that ran a maze. He measured how fast they ran, and how many wrong turns they made. How many levels of the independent variable did he have?

Consider the following research title: "Cooperation among nursery school children under two types of instruction." In this study the independent variable is

Which one of the following statements does not contain both an independent and dependent variable?

Professor Jones studied the effect of two types of instructions on learning either nonsense words or real words by college sophomores. Which of the following is not a variable?

Which one of the following variables represents a quantitative variable?

All independent variables have at least _______ levels

The term variable may best be defined as a

The dependent variable in a study

To make sure that unintended variables do not confound a study, many potential variables

A confounded variable is one that

A subject variable is aan)

If we measured the miles per hour that Yolanda traveled when running, we would actually be measuring the _____________ of her behavior

Consider the following research title: "Sexually coercive behavior of college males as a function of masculinity and attitudes toward women's rights." In this study the dependent variable is

The independent variable in a study