Question 1

When conducting research, scientists must balance ______ against the ______.

Accepted Answer

When conducting research, scientists must balance the potential benefits of the research against the possible harms that may be caused to participants. This includes ethical considerations such as informed consent and minimizing risks to participants. While time, resources, IRB goals, and researcher rights are also important considerations, the balance of benefits and harms is the most critical ethical principle in research.

Question 2

The _______ research design compares groups of people at different ages, at one time.

Accepted Answer

A cross-sectional research design compares different groups of people at one specific time point, such as comparing people of different ages at a given point in time. Correlational research examines the relationship between two or more variables, experimental research manipulates variables to determine causality, and longitudinal research follows the same group of people over an extended period of time to study developmental changes.

Question 3

Researchers have found that reading to infants and toddlers leads to gains in language development, as well as enhanced school readiness skills. The relationship between reading to infants and toddlers and favorable developmental outcomes is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Researchers have found that reading to infants...

Question 4

______ is the procedure in which every participant has an equal chance of being assigned to the experimental or control group and is essential for ensuring that the groups are equal in all preexisting characteristics, such as age, ethnicity, and gender.

Accepted Answer

Random assignment is the procedure used to ensure that all participants have an equal chance of being assigned to a particular group in an experiment. It helps to eliminate the potential for bias and ensures that preexisting variables such as age, ethnicity, and gender are equally distributed in both groups.

Question 5

Professor Ming studies the effects of trauma on mental health across the lifespan. She plans to conduct a study that includes participants from the following age ranges: 6-12, 13-19, 20-40, and 50-70. All of her participants will be from an area that experienced a natural disaster, such as a deadly hurricane or earthquake. Professor Ming will then look at symptoms of depression and anxiety in each of the age groups to draw conclusions about age-related differences in the processing of traumatic events. Which research design is best suited for this study?

Accepted Answer

A cross-sectional design is best suited for this study as it allows Professor Ming to compare different age groups at a single point in time to examine age-related differences in the effects of trauma on mental health.

Question 6

In experimental research, the ____ variable is manipulated or varied systematically by the researcher during the experiment, whereas the _____ variable is the behavior under study.

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the behavior or outcome that is measured. Therefore, choice B fits this definition. Choice A reverses the definitions of these variables. Choices C and D refer to other types of variables that play different roles in experimental research.

Question 7

Prior to beginning any study, Professor Cleutter's research team carefully explains the research to potential participants, answers questions, and helps them to determine if the study is right for them. Professor Cleutter and his team are showing respect for participants' ______.

Accepted Answer

Autonomy refers to respecting an individual's right to make decisions for themselves. In this scenario, Professor Cleutter and his team are explaining the research and helping potential participants make an informed decision about whether or not to participate, which demonstrates respect for their autonomy.

Question 8

An important strength of longitudinal research is that it provides information about ______ over time.

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal research tracks the same individuals over time, which allows researchers to observe and measure age-related changes in various aspects such as cognitive abilities, physical ability, or social behavior.

Question 9

The sequential research design provides information about _____.

Accepted Answer

The sequential research design involves studying individuals from different age cohorts over time to differentiate between age-related changes and cohort effects. Therefore, it provides information about age, cohort, and age-related change. It does not necessarily focus on gender and is not always used for studying cause and effect.

Question 10

Beneficence and ______ are the dual responsibilities to do good and not do harm when conducting research.

Accepted Answer

The dual responsibilities referred to in the question are beneficence and nonmaleficence, meaning researchers have a duty to do good and avoid causing harm. This is a fundamental principle of research ethics and is reflected in many codes of conduct, including the Belmont Report. While responsibility, integrity, and justice are also important ethical principles in research, they do not directly relate to the duty to do good and avoid harm.

Question 11

Ethical codes of conduct state that researchers must obtain ______ consent from each participant, which states their informed, rational, and voluntary agreement to participate.

Accepted Answer

Ethical codes of conduct require researchers to obtain informed consent from each participant, which means that participants have been fully informed about the research study and have given their voluntary agreement to participate. This consent must be written and clearly indicate the purpose of the study, the procedures involved, and any risks or benefits. Informal or verbal consent is not sufficient, and consent cannot be presumed or coerced. The IRB is responsible for reviewing research studies and ensuring that proper ethical guidelines are followed, but IRB approval does not replace the need for informed consent from individual participants.

Question 12

When conducting research, investigators are bound by _____, or the determination of what is right and wrong.

Accepted Answer

When conducting research, investigators are bound by ethics, which guide their decision-making and ensure that their actions are just and fair. This includes protecting participants' rights, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, and avoiding harm or exploitation. Ethical standards are established by professional organizations, funders, and regulatory bodies, and are essential for maintaining trust and encouraging responsible research practices. While morals and sentiment may inform a researcher's personal beliefs and values, they are not sufficient on their own to guide ethical decision-making in research. Previous theories may provide a framework for understanding a phenomenon or guiding research questions, but they do not necessarily dictate ethical behavior.

Question 13

When conducting experimental research, the _____ group is treated in every way like the experimental group but does not receive the independent variable in order to compare the effect of the manipulation.

Accepted Answer

The control group is used in experimental research to provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group. It is treated in every way like the experimental group but does not receive the independent variable in order to compare the effect of the manipulation.

Question 14

A weakness associated with longitudinal research is that experiences or events affecting one generation of participants may be very different than those affecting another generation. This is known as:

Accepted Answer

Cohort effects refer to differences that occur due to the particular generation of participants being studied (i.e. their unique historical, social, and cultural experiences). This can impact the results of longitudinal research, as findings may not be generalized to other generations. Research bias, participant reactivity, and longitudinal variability are not specifically related to generational differences.

Question 15

______ research permits researchers to examine relations among measured characteristics, behaviors, and events.

Accepted Answer

Correlational research examines the extent to which two variables are related. It does not involve manipulating variables, as in experimental research, and it does not involve comparing different groups, as in quasi-experimental research. Cross-sectional research involves studying individuals or groups at a single point in time.

Question 16

_____ involve observing and recording behaviors that are displayed in a controlled environment.

Accepted Answer

Structured observations involve observing and recording behaviors that are displayed in a controlled environment, where the researcher has control over the situation and can manipulate variables to elicit specific behaviors. Naturalistic observations, on the other hand, involve observing behaviors in their natural setting, such as observing children playing in a park. Clinical interviews and questionnaires are methods for collecting self-report data, rather than direct observations.

Question 17

Sequential research designs combine the best features of _______ and ______ research.

Accepted Answer

Sequential research designs combine the best features of cross-sectional and longitudinal research by studying different cohorts over time, allowing researchers to observe changes across age groups and over time.

Question 18

Investigators use the _______ research design when studying the same group of participants at many points in time.

Accepted Answer

A longitudinal research design is used when the same group of participants is studied at multiple points in time, allowing the investigator to examine changes and trends over time. In contrast, a cross-sectional design studies different groups of participants at one point in time, a sequential design combines cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, and an experimental design manipulates variables to assess cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 19

Causal relationships between variables can only be determined through ______ research.

Accepted Answer

Experimental research involves manipulating one variable (the independent variable) and measuring the effect on another variable (the dependent variable) while controlling for other potential factors. This allows for causal relationships to be established between variables. Correlational research can identify associations between variables but cannot determine causality. Longitudinal and cross-sectional research refer to types of data collection methods rather than methods of establishing causal relationships.

Question 20

The ethical principle of _____ requires scientists to be accurate, honest, and truthful in their work.

Accepted Answer

The principle of integrity requires that scientists be accurate, honest and truthful in their work. It is an essential characteristic of responsible scientific research and essential for building trust with the public. Scientists who manipulate or falsify data violate this principle and undermine the integrity of the scientific community.

Quiz 1: Understanding Human Development: Approaches and Theories

When conducting research, scientists must balance against the .