Question 1

Research Design and Analysis
-Peiffer recently conducted a study on marital satisfaction. After surveying 100 married couples, she found that couples who commit to a date night once a week report higher marital satisfaction than those who do not date weekly. To further investigate her findings, she asked 50 unhappy couples to date once a week. After 12 weeks, she found that all of the couples reported an increase in marital satisfaction. She wanted to know if this was a short-term effect or if it could lead to increased marital satisfaction over a longer term. She asked 50 newlywed couples to date weekly and she surveyed them once a year over the course of the marriage. What type of study does this describe?

Accepted Answer

A longitudinal study is one that involves repeated data collection or observations over long periods of time. This rules out short-term changes that could be transitory. In this example, a longitudinal study will help Dr. Peifffer better understand if regular date nights have a causal relationship to marital satisfaction over the long term.

Question 2

Research Design and Analysis
-Peiffer recently conducted a study on marital satisfaction. After surveying 100 married couples, she found that couples who commit to a date night once a week report higher marital satisfaction than those who do not date weekly. To further investigate her findings, she asked 50 unhappy couples to date once a week. After 12 weeks, she found that all of the couples reported an increase in marital satisfaction. She wanted to know more about the specific impact of the date night on couples. She decided to follow Mr. and Mrs. Malone for five years. During this time, she surveyed only this couple regularly and measured any changes in the relationship. What type of study does this describe?

Accepted Answer

A case study is an in-depth study of an individual, group or event. Case studies are typically studied using more than one method. One advantage of a case study is that it examines data in the context of real-world events. In this example, by creating a case study around the events in Mr. and Mrs. Malone's marriage, Dr. Peiffer can better understand how date nights impact their marriage and how the findings can be applied to other couples.

Question 3

Research Design and Analysis
-Ripley is testing a new drug to treat depression. She predicts "Drug X will improve depressive symptoms in adults who take it for 12 weeks." In order to make sure her clinical trial is accurate, she will use the scientific method. Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

The scientific method consists of steps designed to ensure that data collected during an experiment is empirical. First, the researcher must ask a question and conduct background research to see what is already known about the topic. Next, a hypothesis, or research question, must be constructed. Next, the hypothesis is tested by an experiment. Finally, the data is analyzed and the findings are communicated.

Question 4

Testing
-Joseph has been studying to become a psychologist. After earning his degree he must take a state licensing exam. The exam has questions specific to his training. What type of test is this?

Accepted Answer

A specific achievement test is a test that requires special training. In this example, Joseph's education and training prepared him to take a state licensing exam in psychology. Completing law school or teaching high school for 15 years would not prepare him for this test.

Question 5

Testing
-Carly is seven years old and struggling in school. To assess her intelligence, the school psychologist conducts an intelligence test that includes solving puzzles, detecting patterns, and explaining ideas. What type of test is this?

Accepted Answer

A general ability test is a test that requires no special training or background knowledge. In this example, no special training has prepared Carly for the test administered by the psychologist. Some practiced skills, such as completing puzzles, could help Carly's score, but overall it is a test of her general abilities.

Question 6

Testing
-The Rosewood School District tests their students every year at every grade level. The teachers are given an outline of the skills to be tested and their curricula must prepare students to complete the test by the end of the school year. The required skills are consistent with the required skills across the state. Which system does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Standards-based education is a system in which curriculum and performance standards are clearly specified. Children are given the opportunity to learn the material and are then tested on it. Each student in the area, typically a state, is expected to learn the material. In some states, achievement on standardized tests is required for high school graduation or grade promotion.

Question 7

Testing
-Susanna wants to be a nurse. Her program is very competitive and she must pass an exam before being admitted. Passing is considered a score in the top 25%, or at or above the 75%th percentile of students taking the test. Which approach to determining a cut off score does this describe?

Accepted Answer

A norm-referenced approach is one that determines the cut off score by reference to a set of norms. In this example, the top 25% of students taking the nursing exam are considered competent. This is a common approach for cut-offs in competitive situations such as entrance into educational programs or employment. A norm-referenced approach does have limitations. In some situations, no applicant may be competent, even if they test above other incompetent applicants.

Question 8

Testing
-Susanna wants to be a nurse. Her program is very competitive and she must pass an exam before being admitted. Passing is considered a score of 90% on the exam. Which approach to determining a cut off score does this describe?

Accepted Answer

A criterion-referenced approach is one that determines the cut-off score by determining how well an applicant must do to be considered competent. In this example, students must score 90% on the exam to be considered competent, regardless of the scores of other students taking the exam.

Question 9

Testing
-Tina is trying to maintain her weight. She weighs herself once a week and her weight stays the same. What can we say about Tina's scale?

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measurement. Validity refers to whether a test measures what it is intended to measure. In this example, Tina's scale is both reliable and valid. It is reliable because it measures Tina's weight consistently every week. The scale is also a valid measurement of weight.

Question 10

Testing
-Tina is trying to maintain her weight. She takes her blood pressure every week. Tina's blood pressure stays the same, so she believes her weight is being maintained. What can we say about Tina's blood pressure cuff?

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measurement. Validity refers to whether a test measures what it is intended to measure. In this example, Tina's blood pressure cuff is reliable but not valid. It is reliable because it measures Tina's blood pressure consistently every week. However, it is not valid because a blood pressure cuff is not an instrument for measuring weight.

Question 11

Testing
-Olivas has so many essays to grade that she asks an assistant to grade half the essays. Mrs. Olivas is a thorough grader and marks students off for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The assistant on the other hand, gives full points to any student whose ideas she agrees with. Overall, the essays scored by Mrs. Olivas received lower grades than the tests scored by the assistant. What can be said about the grading method?

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measurement. Validity refers to whether a test measures what it is intended to measure. In this example, the grading was inconsistent, or unreliable. Mrs. Olivas graded in a very different way than her assistant. Each student's grade depended greatly on the person who graded the essay. A test that is not reliable cannot be valid.

Question 12

Testing
-Harkins is a 7th grade math teacher. She is designing a test to see what her students have learned throughout the year. She begins by stating, "The Harkins Math Assessment is a concise measure of mathematical skills learned in the 7th grade." Which step in test development does this describe?

Accepted Answer

The first step in test development is to define the purpose of the test. In this example, Mrs. Harkins identifies the purpose of her test as a concise measure of mathematical skills learned in the 7th grade. This statement clearly identifies what skills the test measures and the population for which the test was designed.

Question 13

Testing
-Harkins is a 7th grade math teacher. She is designing a test to see what her students have learned throughout the year. She decides that the test will consist of 100 multiple choice questions and be administered individually. Which step in test development does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Preliminary design issues refer to decisions that must be made about the test, including the length of the test, the format of the test, and whether the test will be administered individually or in a group. Other considerations include whether or not it will be timed, administered by a trained professional, and what background research must be completed prior to developing the test.

Question 14

Testing
-Harkins is a 7th grade math teacher. She is designing a test to see what her students have learned throughout the year. After Mrs. Harkins defines the purpose of the test and considers preliminary design issues, she begins drafting the test items. Which step in test development does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Item preparation is the process of writing the test questions and determining the desired response to each question. Item preparation cannot be successfully completed until the purpose of the test has been defined and preliminary design issues are addressed. The items on the test must be consistent with the test's purpose and design.

Question 15

Testing
-Harkins is a 7th grade math teacher. She is designing a test to see what her students have learned throughout the year. After creating test items, she administers the test to five former students and examines their results. She then considers their scores and makes decisions about which test items should be removed from the test and which should stay. Which step in test development does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Item analysis is the process of statistical analysis of test data based on a trial of the test. This information is used to make decisions about the test. Item analysis can help the test designer decide if some items on the test are too easy or too difficult. Item analysis can also help the test designer decide if the test format and other design decisions are best for the test.

Question 16

Testing
-Harkins is a 7th grade math teacher. She is designing a test to see what her students have learned throughout the year. After the test items are completed, she yields the norms for the test results. Which step in test development does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Standardization is the process of yielding norms for a test. Every aspect of the standardized test, from number of items to time limit, should be exactly the same as the published test. Otherwise, the norms from the standardization will be compromised.

Question 17

Testing
-Linda is a 7th grade student. At the end of the school year, she is required to take a math test that measures what she learned throughout the year. What type of test is Linda taking?

Accepted Answer

An achievement test measures an individual's knowledge in a specific subject or domain. In this example, the test Linda is taking will measure her knowledge in math. Most teacher-made tests and standardized tests used in education are achievement tests.

Question 18

Testing
-Howard is applying for a new job. He is required to take a test as part of the application process. The test has several questions about his mood and his feelings about stealing, anger, and whether or not his problems are blamed on others. What type of test is Howard taking?

Accepted Answer

A personality tests measures aspects of an individual's personality. Objective personality tests are objectively scored, typically using a true/false or Likert scale format. An unstructured personality test is one in which the individual is asked to complete simple activities, such as viewing pictures or inkblots and describing what they see. Personality tests are used in a variety of settings, from employment to assessment of individuals charged with crimes.

Question 19

Testing
-Opal is a senior in high school. She does not know what to study in college or what type of career she wants in the future. Her guidance counselor suggests she take a vocational test that will consider her interests, abilities and attitudes and suggest a career path. What type of test is Opal taking?

Accepted Answer

Opal is taking an interest, attitude or value test. An interest, attitude or value test helps people identify interests, attitudes and values. These tests measure attitudes towards groups and practices, such as the elderly or capital punishment. Identifying their interests, attitudes, and values can help individuals make vocational decisions.

Question 20

Testing
-Salver is a clinical psychologist who specializes in treating depression and anxiety. When consulting with new clients, she often gives them an inventory that measures depression and anxiety. In severe cases, she administers personality tests. Under which context does Dr. Salver use testing?

Accepted Answer

Clinical testing is testing used for the purpose of counseling or neuropsychology. Testing in a clinical context is used to help an individual suspected of having a problem by identifying the nature and severity of the problem. The problem can be severe, such as a serious mental disorder, or mild, such as choosing a college major.

Quiz 3: CLEP: Educational Psychology

Testing -Joseph has been studying to become a psychologist. After earning his degree he must take a state licensing exam. The exam has questions specific to his training. What type of test is this?

Testing -Carly is seven years old and struggling in school. To assess her intelligence, the school psychologist conducts an intelligence test that includes solving puzzles, detecting patterns, and explaining ideas. What type of test is this?

Testing -Susanna wants to be a nurse. Her program is very competitive and she must pass an exam before being admitted. Passing is considered a score in the top 25%, or at or above the 75%th percentile of students taking the test. Which approach to determining a cut off score does this describe?

Testing -Susanna wants to be a nurse. Her program is very competitive and she must pass an exam before being admitted. Passing is considered a score of 90% on the exam. Which approach to determining a cut off score does this describe?

Testing -Tina is trying to maintain her weight. She weighs herself once a week and her weight stays the same. What can we say about Tina's scale?

Testing -Tina is trying to maintain her weight. She takes her blood pressure every week. Tina's blood pressure stays the same, so she believes her weight is being maintained. What can we say about Tina's blood pressure cuff?

Testing -Harkins is a 7th grade math teacher. She is designing a test to see what her students have learned throughout the year. She decides that the test will consist of 100 multiple choice questions and be administered individually. Which step in test development does this describe?

Testing -Harkins is a 7th grade math teacher. She is designing a test to see what her students have learned throughout the year. After the test items are completed, she yields the norms for the test results. Which step in test development does this describe?

Testing -Linda is a 7th grade student. At the end of the school year, she is required to take a math test that measures what she learned throughout the year. What type of test is Linda taking?

Testing -Howard is applying for a new job. He is required to take a test as part of the application process. The test has several questions about his mood and his feelings about stealing, anger, and whether or not his problems are blamed on others. What type of test is Howard taking?