Question 1

In an experiment, what is manipulated by the researcher?
A) the confounding variable
B) the dependent variable
C) the extraneous variable
D) the independent variable

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Question 2

What is the most widely used method of collecting data in industrial/organizational psychology?
A) archival research
B) the case study
C) laboratory experiment
D) survey-questionnaire

Accepted Answer

The most widely used method of collecting data in industrial/organizational psychology is through the use of survey questionnaires. This method allows for the collection of self-reported data from a large sample of participants, making it a practical and efficient way to gather information on various topics such as attitudes, job satisfaction, and organizational culture. Additionally, surveys can be easily administered online or through email, further increasing their accessibility and reach.

Question 3

What method of study allows for enhanced realism but may also be criticized for its limited degree of control?
A) archival research
B) the case study
C) field experiment
D) laboratory experiment

Accepted Answer

The field experiment allows for enhanced realism, as it involves manipulating the independent variable in a natural setting. However, the limited degree of control is a potential criticism, as extraneous variables may also be present in the environment.

Question 4

What kind of factor, or variable, causes the relationship between two other variables to change at different levels?
A) confounding variable
B) dependent variable
C) independent variable
D) moderator variable

Accepted Answer

A moderator variable is a third variable that affects the strength or direction of the relationship between two other variables, but only at specific levels. It is important to identify moderator variables in research in order to understand the complexity of the relationships being studied.

Question 5

What aspect of the organizational snapshot focuses on the composition and distribution of the organizational members?
A) organizational demography
B) organizational networks
C) organizational power and politics
D) organizational structure

Accepted Answer

Organizational demography is the aspect of the organizational snapshot that focuses on the composition and distribution of the organizational members, such as age, gender, race, and education. Organizational networks refer to the patterns of communication, coordination, and social relationships among members. Organizational power and politics refer to the distribution of power and the factors that influence decision-making within the organization. Organizational structure refers to the formal hierarchy and arrangement of roles and responsibilities within the organization.

Question 6

Acme, Inc. is looking to hire marketing team members who exhibit entrepreneurship skills. Research suggests looking for individuals who score highly in ________.
A) agreeableness and conscientiousness
B) agreeableness and extraversion
C) conscientiousness and emotional stability
D) conscientiousness and openness to experience

Accepted Answer

When looking for entrepreneurship skills in marketing team members, research suggests that individuals who score highly in conscientiousness and openness to experience are the best fit. Conscientiousness helps ensure that individuals are organized, reliable, and focused on achieving goals, while openness to experience fosters creativity and innovation. Together, these traits are often associated with successful entrepreneurship.

Question 7

Which of the following research methodologies allows causal inferences to be made?
A) archival research
B) the case study
C) field experiment
D) survey-questionnaire

Accepted Answer

Field experiments are the only research methodology among the given options that allow for establishing causal relationships. They involve manipulating an independent variable in a natural setting and measuring its effects on a dependent variable, while controlling other variables that might affect the outcome. Other methodologies, such as archival research, case study, or survey-questionnaire, may provide valuable insights into a research question, but they do not necessarily establish cause-effect relationships.

Question 8

What method of study would a researcher be least likely to use to test a hypothesis?
A) archival analysis
B) the case study
C) field experiment
D) survey-questionnaire

Accepted Answer

The case study method is typically used to study a particular person, group or situation in great detail rather than testing a hypothesis using a larger sample size. Therefore, it is the least likely method to be used to test a hypothesis.

Question 9

In which method of study is a researched limited to the data that an organization has available on his or her topic of interest?
A) archival analysis
B) the case study
C) field experiment
D) survey-questionnaire

Accepted Answer

Archival analysis involves using data that already exists within an organization or in historical records, therefore the researcher is limited to the data that is available to them. The other options provide opportunities for the researcher to collect their own data.

Question 10

A manager is interested in identifying the average number of absences his employees had during the last quarter of the year. What descriptive statistic should he calculate to determine this?
A) correlation
B) mean
C) median
D) variance

Accepted Answer

The mean is the best choice for calculating the average number of absences. It is a measure of central tendency that takes into account all observations and provides a representative value of the dataset. The median or the variance are not appropriate for this scenario, as the median only looks at the middle value and the variance measures the degree of spread or variability in the data. Correlation, on the other hand, would be used to measure the relationship between two variables.

Question 11

Allyson wants to know how different or similar the scores are within her distribution. What descriptive statistic listed below is one method for assessing that?
A) mean
B) median
C) mode
D) variance

Accepted Answer

Variance is a measure of how spread out the data is from the mean. A high variance indicates that the scores are more spread out and different from each other, while a low variance indicates that the scores are more similar to each other. Therefore, variance is a good descriptive statistic for assessing how different or similar the scores are within a distribution.

Question 12

Which of the following represents the strongest correlation between the two variables?
A) job satisfaction and productivity, r = + .17
B) job satisfaction and turnover, r = - .40
C) perceived control and job performance, r = .20
D) perceived control and organizational commitment, r = .30

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient (r) ranges from -1 to +1, where +1 indicates a perfect positive correlation and -1 indicates a perfect negative correlation. The closer the absolute value of r is to 1, the stronger the correlation. Therefore, option B, which has a correlation coefficient of -0.40, represents the strongest correlation among the given options. This negative correlation suggests that as job satisfaction decreases, turnover increases.

Question 13

Michelle wishes to make a highly structured ordering of the findings derived from many studies on a related theme. What statistical technique should she use to accomplish this goal?
A) descriptive statistics
B) experimental analysis
C) inferential statistics
D) meta-analysis

Accepted Answer

Meta-analysis is the statistical technique used to synthesize and analyze quantitative data from multiple studies on a specific topic. It involves the use of statistical methods to identify patterns or relationships across different studies, resulting in a more objective and comprehensive understanding of the overall findings. This makes it the most suitable technique for structuring the findings derived from many studies on a related theme. Descriptive statistics simply describe data, whereas inferential statistics are used to make inferences about a population based on a sample. Experimental analysis is a method used to evaluate the efficacy of interventions or treatments.

Question 14

Joel is creating an organizational snapshot for the telecommunications firm he is interning at. Which of the following will he have the hardest time obtaining?
A) organizational demography
B) organizational networks
C) organizational politics
D) organizational structure

Accepted Answer

Organizational politics is often difficult to obtain because it involves sensitive information about power dynamics and potential conflicts within the organization. It may not be openly discussed or readily available for observation.

Question 15

Jayan is examining how many divisions exist within an organization for which he is a hired consultant. He is also examining information about how units are created and eliminated as well as the patterns of interaction regarding information throughout the company. What aspect of the organizational snapshot is Jayan examining?
A) organizational demography
B) organizational network
C) organizational power and politics
D) organizational structure

Accepted Answer

Jayan is examining the organizational structure, which includes how divisions are organized, how units are created or eliminated, and the patterns of interaction, particularly regarding information flow within the company.

Question 16

Briefly describe the instrumental forces that shape developments with an organization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly describe the instrumental forces that shape...

Question 17

How could a case study be used to identify variables or questions of interest to be studied through a more controlled and rigorous research methodology like a survey or a laboratory experiment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How could a case study be used...

Question 18

Contrast field and laboratory experiments.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Contrast field and laboratory experiments....

Question 19

Explain how descriptive statistics can be used by a researcher to summarize a data set.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how descriptive statistics can be used...

Question 20

Differentiate the four aspects obtained from the organizational snapshot.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Differentiate the four aspects obtained from the...

Quiz 2: Methods of Study

In an experiment, what is manipulated by the researcher?

What is the most widely used method of collecting data in industrial/organizational psychology?

What method of study allows for enhanced realism but may also be criticized for its limited degree of control?

What kind of factor, or variable, causes the relationship between two other variables to change at different levels?

What aspect of the organizational snapshot focuses on the composition and distribution of the organizational members?

Acme, Inc. is looking to hire marketing team members who exhibit entrepreneurship skills. Research suggests looking for individuals who score highly in ________.

Which of the following research methodologies allows causal inferences to be made?

What method of study would a researcher be least likely to use to test a hypothesis?

In which method of study is a researched limited to the data that an organization has available on his or her topic of interest?

A manager is interested in identifying the average number of absences his employees had during the last quarter of the year. What descriptive statistic should he calculate to determine this?

Allyson wants to know how different or similar the scores are within her distribution. What descriptive statistic listed below is one method for assessing that?

Which of the following represents the strongest correlation between the two variables?

Michelle wishes to make a highly structured ordering of the findings derived from many studies on a related theme. What statistical technique should she use to accomplish this goal?

Joel is creating an organizational snapshot for the telecommunications firm he is interning at. Which of the following will he have the hardest time obtaining?

Briefly describe the instrumental forces that shape developments with an organization.

How could a case study be used to identify variables or questions of interest to be studied through a more controlled and rigorous research methodology like a survey or a laboratory experiment?

Contrast field and laboratory experiments.

Explain how descriptive statistics can be used by a researcher to summarize a data set.

Differentiate the four aspects obtained from the organizational snapshot.