Question 1

What is a spurious correlation? Using an original example (i.e., one not covered in lecture or included in the text) describe how a spurious correlation might arise.

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Question 2

What is informed consent and what are the key aspects of this ethical guideline? How does deception conflict with the principle of informed consent? Define deception and mention the factors that determine whether or not it is justified?

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Question 3

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of animal research. In your opinion, is research with animals justified? Give the specific reasons for your conclusion.

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Question 4

Using the research conducted by Strayer and his colleagues on cell phone use while driving as an example, discuss the major aspects of an experiment.

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Question 5

How does external validity differ from internal validity?

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Question 6

Describe the major ethical issues in human research and how participants' rights are protected.

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Question 7

Think of an example of an operational definition for academic performance using a: 1) self-report, 2) report by others, and 3) measure of overt behaviour. Explain a limitation of each type of measure using the same example

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Question 8

What is the correlation coefficient and what does it assess? In your answer, be sure to address the following points: 1) the range of possible values the correlation coefficient can have, 2) the difference between a positive and negative correlation, and 3) the difference between the strength and direction of the correlation coefficient.

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Question 9

Why does some research involve deception? What ethical principle does deception violate?

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Question 10

List the five steps involved in the scientific process of gathering evidence. Discuss how each of these steps was applied in the research of John Darley and Bibb Latané.

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Question 11

Your textbook describes the research by Diener and Seligman exploring factors related to happiness. They found that happier students spent more time socializing with people and had more satisfying relationships compared to unhappy undergraduates. They did not find a relationship between levels of happiness and amount of money individuals had. Explain how this is a correlational study. Using this study, also explain why cause and effect cannot be determined from correlational designs due to: 1) the bidirectionality problem, and 2) the third variable problem.

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Question 12

What is the double-blind procedure and what are the two types of threats to internal validity it is designed to minimize? In your answer, briefly define these two threats. Give a detailed example of how the double-blind procedure would work within the context of a study investigating the effectiveness of a new medication.

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Question 13

A hypothetical study has found a correlation of -.47 between women's income and the incidents of sexual harassment. What can the researcher conclude from these findings? What is the researcher not able to conclude since a correlational design was used and why?

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Question 14

What are the justifications for, and criticisms of, research in which animals are harmed?

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Question 15

As a critical thinker, what questions should you ask when someone makes a claim or an assertion?

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Question 16

Describe the key elements of experimental research. Your answer should address the following areas: 1) the difference between an independent and a dependent variable and how they are related 2) the difference between an experimental group and a control group, and 3) the two basic ways that participants can be assigned to various experimental conditions.

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Question 17

Compare and contrast features, advantages, and disadvantages of correlational research and experimental research.

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Question 18

What is internal validity and how is it related to confounding variables and experimenter expectancies? In your discussion, define each of these concepts. What is the difference between internal validity and external validity? Give a hypothetical example of: 1) a study with poor internal validity, and 2) a study with poor external validity.

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Question 19

List the four ways of defining and measuring variables. For each method, give an example of how it could be applied in a study examining stress, and list a limitation.

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Question 20

Describe and define the three methods of descriptive research: case studies, naturalistic observations, and survey research. For each method, list at least one limitation and explain how the method could be used to study marriage.

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Quiz 2: Studying Behaviour Scientifically