Question 1

Which measure of central tendency refers to the arithmetic average of a group of numbers or values?
A) Mode
B) Mean
C) Variance
D) Median

Accepted Answer

The arithmetic average of a group of numbers or values is referred to as the mean. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

Question 2

In order to conduct survey research in a way that will give the best chance to make generalizations beyond those surveyed,a researcher should give their survey to a wide sample of people from a larger population.__________ sampling is a technique that helps ensure the variety within a sample that helps ensure that it is representative of a larger population.
A) random
B) distributed
C) snowball
D) selective

Accepted Answer

Random sampling involves choosing participants from a larger population randomly, which helps ensure that the sample represents the diversity of the population. This increases the chances of making generalizations about the population based on the survey results. Distributed sampling is not a recognized term in survey research. Snowball sampling is a technique used when researching hard-to-reach populations, but it may not be representative of the larger population. Selective sampling involves choosing participants based on specific criteria, which may lead to biased results.

Question 3

Dr.Hobbes is conducting research that investigates the frequency with which people eat at fast food restaurants.He asks 250 different participants a series of 45 questions,some of which have words like "unhealthy," "fat-containing," and "high-cholesterol" in them.What is a potential problem with Dr.Hobbes's study?
A) Some participants may answer questions dishonestly if the questions are worded in a way that makes them feel like their true answers are socially unacceptable.
B) Dr. Hobbes should not be the one asking the questions, since there is too much room for observer bias. He should have a graduate student ask the questions instead.
C) Surveys can only be conducted on 10 or fewer participants, so Dr. Hobbes's use of 250 participants is a violation of survey design rules.
D) Surveys must have a minimum of 50 questions in order to be statistically sound.

Accepted Answer

The potential problem with Dr. Hobbes's study is that some participants may answer questions dishonestly if the questions are worded in a way that makes them feel like their true answers are socially unacceptable. This is known as social desirability bias, which can lead to inaccurate results.

Question 4

A __________-report method is a form of data collection in which people are asked to rate or describe their own behavior or mental state.They are usually conducted in the form of questionnaires or interviews.
A) self
B) reflective
C) interactive
D) first-person

Accepted Answer

A self-report method involves asking individuals to report on their own behavior or mental state, typically through questionnaires or interviews. It relies on the individual's self-awareness and honesty in their responses. The other answer choices are not commonly used or accepted terms for this type of data collection.

Question 5

Which of the following research studies would take place "in the field?"
A) Dr. Spinnozza has participants come to his laboratory so that he can ask them questions about the pictures of faces of different individuals.
B) Dr. Buchman shows participants a short video of a television commercial in his office, and then asks them questions about their memory of the products advertised.
C) Dr. Martino watches children through a two-way mirror, and makes observations about their aggressive and cooperative behaviors.
D) Dr. Adeshak observes students in the local university "union," and makes a study of the hours when students are likeliest to be drinking coffee.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Adeshak's study takes place in a natural setting (the local university "union"), which is considered "in the field," as opposed to a controlled laboratory or office environment.

Question 6

Which of the following is one of the two types of statistics that researchers use to analyze the data that they collect?
A) Inferential statistics
B) Referential statistics
C) Binomial statistics
D) Cyclical statistics

Accepted Answer

Inferential statistics is one of the two types of statistics that researchers use to analyze data. It is used to draw conclusions about a population based on a sample from that population. The other type of statistics is descriptive statistics, which is used to summarize and describe the data. Options B, C, and D are not types of statistics commonly used in research.

Question 7

Your textbook presents three different types of descriptive statistics.Which of the following is,in fact,an example of an inferential statistic?
A) Measures of normal and skewed distributions
B) Measures of central tendency
C) Measures of variability
D) Frequency distributions

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your textbook presents three different types of...

Question 8

The measure of __________ refers to the degree to which the numbers in a data set differ from one another and from the overall average (or mean)of that data set.
A) extremeness
B) outliers
C) difference
D) variability

Accepted Answer

Variability is the measure of how spread out the data is, taking into account differences between individual data points and the overall average. This can be measured through various methods such as range, standard deviation, or variance. Choice A, extremeness, is not a commonly used statistical term and is not an accurate definition for the measure of variability. Choice B, outliers, refers to individual data points that are significantly different from the rest of the data and may influence measures of variability but do not define it. Choice C, difference, is too general and does not specify the context of the measure.

Question 9

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-II)is a 567-question self-report assessment tool that psychologists use to gather information about various parts of an individual's character and psychological make-up.The MMPI-II could best be described as what type of research tool?
A) An experiment
B) A survey
C) A laboratory observation
D) A case study

Accepted Answer

The MMPI-II is a self-report survey that individuals fill out to provide information about their personality and psychological characteristics. It is not an experiment or laboratory observation as it does not involve manipulation of variables or direct observation of behavior. It is also not a case study as it does not focus on the detailed analysis of one individual's experience.

Question 10

Professor Spiegelman's introduction to psychology class has 19 students.On the first exam,the students produce the following set of scores: 100,100,97,97,92,86,86,85,81,80,76,72,72,72,71,68,62,59,and 48.What is the range on this exam?
A) 52
B) 100
C) 100.48
D) 0

Accepted Answer

The range is the difference between the highest and lowest scores. The highest score is 100 and the lowest score is 48, so the range is 100-48=52. Therefore, the correct choice is A.

Question 11

One problem that exists when a researcher uses surveys and questionnaires is that the data they collect may not be accurate.As your author points out,even if a respondent is "unfailingly honest" and has no intent to provide answers that are untrue,why might their responses still be inaccurate or incomplete?
A) Because there are some questions that cannot be asked via the use of a survey or questionnaire.
B) Because all questionnaires and surveys, regardless of their purpose, are biased against certain types of respondents.
C) Because the people assessing the answers provided on a survey or questionnaire may make mistakes in how the score the responses.
D) Because even very honest people don't have completely objective views of their own behaviors.

Accepted Answer

Even if a respondent is honest, their response may not be accurate or complete because individuals may have biases or blind spots in their self-assessments, leading them to misremember or not fully understand their own behaviors or thoughts.

Question 12

Professor Spiegelman's introduction to psychology class has 19 students.On the first exam,the students produce the following set of scores: 100,100,97,97,92,86,86,85,81,80,76,72,72,72,71,68,62,59,and 48.What is the median score on this exam?
A) 100
B) 92
C) 80
D) 72

Accepted Answer

The median score is the middle value when the scores are arranged in ascending or descending order. With 19 scores, the 10th score is the median. Arranging the scores shows that the 10th score is 80.

Question 13

Lakisha's 5th grade class is having an election to decide who will be the new "class president." There are five students running for the office.Out of 25 students,9 vote for Lakisha,6 vote for Mary,6 vote for Michael,2 vote for Allison,and 2 vote for Barry.In statistical terms,which student received the "mode" votes?
A) Mary
B) Lakisha
C) Allison
D) Barry

Accepted Answer

The mode is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. In this case, Lakisha received the most votes with 9, while the other four candidates all received 6 or fewer votes. Therefore, Lakisha is the mode. Choice B is the correct answer.

Question 14

Professor Spiegelman's introduction to psychology class has 19 students.On the first exam,the students produce the following set of scores: 100,100,97,97,92,86,86,85,81,80,76,72,72,72,71,68,62,59,and 48.What is the mode score on this exam?
A) 72
B) 48
C) 100
D) 80

Accepted Answer

The mode is the score that appears most frequently in the data set. In this case, the score of 72 appears three times, which is more than any other score. Therefore, the mode score on this exam is 72.

Question 15

Melissa's car has a really cool electronic readout that tells her the car's fuel economy.The readout says "Average Miles per Gallon." In statistical terms,this feature is telling Melissa the __________ miles per gallon that her car gets.
A) mode
B) maximum
C) median
D) mean

Accepted Answer

The average miles per gallon that the readout is displaying is the mean, which is calculated by dividing the total miles travelled by the gallons of fuel used.

Question 16

Why is it difficult to make generalizations based on the results of case study research?
A) Because a case study involves only one or a few participants, their actions may be atypical and not representative of a larger group of people or population.
B) Because case study research is, by definition, immune to the error of making generalizations. That is its greatest strength.
C) Because case studies involve far too many people to allow for generalizations. You would be better off using a research design that uses fewer participants.
D) Because the statistics involved in case study research do not allow one to draw larger conclusions about a population.

Accepted Answer

Case study research typically involves studying a small number of participants or a single participant, which can make it difficult to generalize the findings to a larger population. The experiences and behaviors of the participants may not be typical or representative of the larger group, which can limit the applicability of the findings.

Question 17

Which of the following statements about laboratory studies and field studies is the most accurate?
A) Laboratory studies are always better because of their ability to control extraneous variables. The only time a field study should be used is if it is unethical to use a laboratory setting.
B) Some research questions can be explored in both a field study and a laboratory study to enhance confidence in the results that are obtained.
C) Laboratory studies and field studies each have certain advantages and disadvantages, which is why each research question can be explored in only one of the two types of settings.
D) Field studies are always better than laboratory settings because they give a more accurate assessment of people's behaviors. The only time a laboratory setting should be used is if a research question cannot be explored with a field study.

Accepted Answer

The statement that some research questions can be explored in both a field study and a laboratory study to enhance confidence in the results that are obtained is the most accurate. While each type of study has advantages and disadvantages, different types of research questions may require different types of settings. Therefore, researchers often use a combination of approaches to increase their confidence in the findings.

Question 18

Which of the following is one of the two types of statistics that researchers use to analyze the data that they collect?
A) Predictive statistics
B) Conscriptive statistics
C) Descriptive statistics
D) Computational statistics

Accepted Answer

The two main types of statistics that researchers use are descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics are used to summarize and describe the characteristics of a set of data, such as measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of variability (standard deviation, range). Inferential statistics, on the other hand, are used to make inferences about a population based on a sample of data, and to determine the probability that certain results are due to chance or to actual differences between groups. Neither predictive nor conscriptive statistics are recognized terms in the field of statistics. Computational statistics is a subfield of statistics focused on developing algorithms and computer methods for analyzing data.

Question 19

What is the median in a set of scores?
A) The average of all of the scores in the data set.
B) The most frequently appearing score in the data set.
C) The middle score in a data set.
D) The difference between the highest and lowest score in the data set.

Accepted Answer

The median is the middle score in a data set. It is found by placing the scores in order from lowest to highest and identifying the score that falls in the exact middle. If there are an even number of scores, then the median is found by taking the average of the two middle scores. The median is different from the mean (average) which is calculated by adding up all of the scores in the data set and dividing by the total number of scores. The mode is the most frequently appearing score in the data set, while the range is the difference between the highest and lowest score in the data set.

Question 20

The difference between the highest and lowest numbers in a data set is referred to as the __________.
A) deviation score
B) standard deviation
C) range
D) variance

Accepted Answer

The range is the measure of dispersion that calculates the difference between the largest and smallest values in a data set. It is not to be confused with standard deviation or variance, which calculate the average deviation from the mean. Deviation score is a general term for any measure of how far a data point is from the average.

Quiz 2: Research Methods

Which measure of central tendency refers to the arithmetic average of a group of numbers or values?

A __________-report method is a form of data collection in which people are asked to rate or describe their own behavior or mental state.They are usually conducted in the form of questionnaires or interviews.

Which of the following research studies would take place "in the field?"

Which of the following is one of the two types of statistics that researchers use to analyze the data that they collect?

Your textbook presents three different types of descriptive statistics.Which of the following is,in fact,an example of an inferential statistic?

The measure of __________ refers to the degree to which the numbers in a data set differ from one another and from the overall average (or mean) of that data set.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-II) is a 567-question self-report assessment tool that psychologists use to gather information about various parts of an individual's character and psychological make-up.The MMPI-II could best be described as what type of research tool?

Professor Spiegelman's introduction to psychology class has 19 students.On the first exam,the students produce the following set of scores: 100,100,97,97,92,86,86,85,81,80,76,72,72,72,71,68,62,59,and 48.What is the range on this exam?

Professor Spiegelman's introduction to psychology class has 19 students.On the first exam,the students produce the following set of scores: 100,100,97,97,92,86,86,85,81,80,76,72,72,72,71,68,62,59,and 48.What is the median score on this exam?

Professor Spiegelman's introduction to psychology class has 19 students.On the first exam,the students produce the following set of scores: 100,100,97,97,92,86,86,85,81,80,76,72,72,72,71,68,62,59,and 48.What is the mode score on this exam?

Melissa's car has a really cool electronic readout that tells her the car's fuel economy.The readout says "Average Miles per Gallon." In statistical terms,this feature is telling Melissa the __________ miles per gallon that her car gets.

Why is it difficult to make generalizations based on the results of case study research?

Which of the following statements about laboratory studies and field studies is the most accurate?

Which of the following is one of the two types of statistics that researchers use to analyze the data that they collect?

What is the median in a set of scores?

The difference between the highest and lowest numbers in a data set is referred to as the __________.