Question 1

In using the case study method, a researcher

Accepted Answer

The case study method is flexible, allowing researchers to gather any type of data they find useful to understand the case in depth, without strict adherence to a specific type of data or rigorous guidelines. This flexibility is one of the method's key characteristics.

Question 2

In an experimental design, it is important to know if observed differences between experimental groups are

Accepted Answer

Statistically significant differences between experimental groups indicate that the results are unlikely to have occurred by chance alone, thus providing evidence that the independent variable (manipulated by the experimenter) had a causal effect on the dependent variable. This is a key goal of experimental research designs.

Question 3

In order to show that variable A causes variable B, you need to

Accepted Answer

Manipulating variable A while observing changes in variable B is essential to establish a causal relationship.

Question 4

If people who score high on extraversion also score high on measures of happiness, extraversion and happiness are

Accepted Answer

This is because "positively correlated" means that as one variable (extraversion) increases, the other variable (happiness) also increases. The question states that people who score high on extraversion also score high on measures of happiness, which indicates a positive correlation between the two.

Question 5

In an experimental design, the manipulated variable is called the variable.

Accepted Answer

The manipulated variable, also known as the independent variable, is the variable that is intentionally changed or manipulated in an experiment. It is called independent because its value is not affected by any other variable. Therefore, the best choice is C, independent.

Question 6

The process of random assignment helps to ensure variable A.

Accepted Answer

Random assignment ensures equivalence between groups, meaning that any differences in outcomes between the groups can be confidently attributed to the treatment or intervention being studied rather than pre-existing differences between the groups. Random assignment does not necessarily guarantee fairness, statistical significance, or good counter balancing.

Question 7

Which of the following pieces of information is NOT needed to establish statistical significance in an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

The alpha coefficient is related to the level of significance chosen for hypothesis testing, not a direct measure needed to establish statistical significance in experimental design. Statistical significance is typically determined by the p-value in relation to the chosen alpha level, but the alpha itself is a predefined threshold, not a piece of data derived from the experiment.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT one of the major types of research design?

Accepted Answer

The major types of research design are correlational, experimental, and case study. Physiological is not a type of research design, but rather a field of study within psychology that focuses on the biological and physiological processes underlying behavior and mental processes.

Question 9

Statistically significant correlations may be observed between two variables that are actually unrelated. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the third variable problem, where a third variable influences both of the variables being correlated, creating a spurious correlation.

Question 10

Self-esteem and depression are probably _ correlated.

Accepted Answer

Self-esteem and depression are negatively correlated, meaning that as self-esteem decreases, depression tends to increase. Conversely, as self-esteem increases, depression tends to decrease.

Question 11

Correlation cannot provide any information about

Accepted Answer

Correlation only shows a relationship between two variables, but it does not tell us whether one variable causes the other or if there is some other factor that is causing the correlation. Therefore, it cannot provide any information about causality.

Question 12

If a researcher wants to know whether or not people who score high on extraversion also score high on activity level, the researcher should use the method.

Accepted Answer

The best method to test whether people who score high on extraversion also score high on activity level is correlational research. This method measures the strength of the relationship between two variables without manipulating or intervening in them. The researcher can use a questionnaire or survey to gather data from a sample of participants and then analyze the data using statistical tools like correlation coefficients to determine whether there is a significant relationship between extraversion and activity level. This method is appropriate because it allows the researcher to examine the association between two variables while keeping everything else constant.

Question 13

The case study method can be useful for

Accepted Answer

The case study method is useful for generating new hypotheses because it involves a detailed examination of a single individual or group, which can lead to the development of new ideas or theories. However, it is not useful for establishing causality, proving a hypothesis to the scientific community, or knowing how two variables are related in a given population.

Question 14

A measure of extraversion that has construct validity in samples in Canada also has construct validity with university samples of participants assessed for extraversion in Japan. This demonstrates

Accepted Answer

The answer of A measure of extraversion that has construct...

Question 15

Which of the following research methods is best suited to establishing causality?

Accepted Answer

Experimental research is the best suited for establishing causality because it allows researchers to manipulate and control variables to determine whether changes in one variable directly cause changes in another variable. By randomly assigning participants to different conditions and manipulating the independent variable, researchers can establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 16

In order to establish causality, participants in all conditions should be

Accepted Answer

In order to establish causality, it is important for the participants in all conditions to be equivalent. This means that they should have similar characteristics and demographics, except for the variable being manipulated. Participants being counterbalanced or undergraduate students are not necessary for establishing causality. Manipulation is important, but it alone does not guarantee causality.

Question 17

If dominance correlates positively with ego-strength, we know that

Accepted Answer

The statement says that dominance correlates positively with ego-strength, which means that as one variable increases, the other variable also tends to increase. Therefore, people who score high on dominance also tend to score high on ego-strength. It does not necessarily mean that dominance causes ego-strength or vice versa.

Question 18

Jacques is interested in finding out if caffeine affects levels of task performance for introverts and extraverts. From which research method would Jacques benefit the most?

Accepted Answer

Jacques is interested in investigating the causal relationship between caffeine and task performance. Therefore, an experimental design would be the best method for him to use. This would allow him to manipulate the independent variable (i.e., caffeine consumption) and measure the effect on the dependent variable (i.e., task performance) while controlling for extraneous variables. By randomly assigning participants to caffeine and control groups and measuring the task performance of both introverts and extraverts in both groups, Jacques can determine whether caffeine affects task performance and whether the effects differ between introverts and extraverts.

Question 19

The reason experimental designs are counterbalanced is to control

Accepted Answer

Counterbalancing is done to control for order effects, which refer to the possibility that the order in which conditions are presented to participants may influence their responses. By using counterbalancing, different groups of participants receive the conditions in different orders, eliminating the potential confound of order effects.

Question 20

Howard wants to study the relationship between income and dominance. Which personality research method would he be most likely to use?

Accepted Answer

Howard would be most likely to use correlational design to study the relationship between income and dominance because this method involves examining the relationship between two variables without manipulating them. This would allow Howard to explore whether higher income is associated with higher levels of dominance, without manipulating participants' income or personality traits in any way.

Quiz 2: Personality Assessment, Measurement, and Research Design