Question 1

A scientist wants to measure changes in female genital blood flow across the menstrual cycle. The best way to measure this would be to use a(n)

Accepted Answer

The answer of A scientist wants to measure changes in...

Question 2

In a well-designed experimental study, members of the control group

Accepted Answer

Control group members are randomly assigned to ensure that any differences observed between the treatment group and control group are due to the treatment and not differences in the composition of the groups. A and B are not necessarily true for all control groups, and D is not a desirable characteristic of a control group.

Question 3

Laboratory research by Canadian researcher Meredith Chivers has been consistent with the view that

Accepted Answer

Meredith Chivers' research has shown that women, regardless of their sexual orientation, tend to have a broader pattern of genital arousal to various sexual stimuli compared to men. This includes being aroused by sexual activities that do not necessarily align with their stated sexual orientation.

Question 4

A researcher sets up a blog and asks women to describe the positive and/or negative experiences they have had with sexually explicit material. This is an example of what kind of research?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of qualitative research because the researcher is asking for women's personal experiences and opinions, rather than quantifying numbers or collecting objective data through observation or experimentation. The use of a blog also suggests an informal, open-ended approach to data collection.

Question 5

Which of the following is an important ethical standard in conducting research on human sexuality?

Accepted Answer

Protecting research participants from all types of harm is a critical ethical standard in conducting research on human sexuality. This includes physical, emotional, and social harm. Researchers must ensure that participants are fully informed about the study and give their informed consent. Additionally, researchers must maintain confidentiality and respect participants' privacy.

Question 6

In a study examining the impact of drinking increasing amounts of alcohol on female sexual response, levels of vaginal lubrication would be which variable?

Accepted Answer

Vaginal lubrication is a response to the amount of alcohol consumed, making it a dependent variable in this study. The independent variable would be the amount of alcohol consumed, while the coefficient would refer to a value used to multiply a variable, and corresponding does not apply to variables in this context.

Question 7

When a researcher intentionally does not inform the subject of the true nature of the study because it would alter the outcomes of the study, the researcher is using

Accepted Answer

The researcher is intentionally deceiving the subject by not revealing the true nature of the study, in order to prevent the subject from altering their behavior.

Question 8

A researcher wants to study the effect of exercise on sexual responsiveness. To test her hypothesis, she assigns individuals to two groups. One group engages in thirty minutes of structured exercise four times a week. The other group does not participate in the exercise program. Each week, individuals complete a questionnaire regarding sexual responsiveness. What is the dependent variable in this study?

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable in this study is the subjects' answers on the questionnaires regarding sexual responsiveness, as this is what the researcher is examining to determine the effect of exercise. The independent variable is the exercise group versus the non-exercise group. The other options are not the dependent variable in this study.

Question 9

A method of objectively measuring sexual arousal in men is to

Accepted Answer

The most objective method of measuring sexual arousal in men is to measure genital engorgement with a penile strain gauge. This directly measures the amount of blood flow and engorgement of the penis, which is a physical indicator of arousal. Asking men to rate their level of arousal or interviewing them about it can be subjective, while the frequency of engaging in sexual activity may not necessarily correlate with level of arousal.

Question 10

If a researcher can say that A causes B, then the researcher has most likely used

Accepted Answer

Only the experimental method can establish cause-and-effect relationships by systematically manipulating an independent variable and measuring its effects on a dependent variable. The correlational method can only show a relationship between variables, but it cannot determine causation. Laboratory observation and case study methods do not typically involve manipulating variables and may not be able to establish cause and effect.

Question 11

An independent variable is _________; a dependent variable is ________.

Accepted Answer

An independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment. In contrast, a dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or tested to determine the effect of the independent variable. Therefore, in option C, the manipulated variable is the independent variable, while the measured results are the dependent variable.

Question 12

In experimental research, the experimental group

Accepted Answer

The experimental group is the group that receives the treatment in experimental research. This group is compared to the control group, which does not receive the treatment. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect.

Question 13

Exposing children to pornographic materials in order to determine the effects of pornography on sexual attitudes is a breach of ethics because

Accepted Answer

Exposing children to pornographic materials can result in psychological harm, which is a violation of ethical principles. Experimentation should not cause harm to participants, and researchers have a responsibility to protect their well-being. Additionally, parental consent is required for children to participate in research, which is not the case in this scenario. Maintaining confidentiality and debriefing participants are also important ethical considerations, but the potential for harm is the most significant concern in this situation.

Question 14

The variable manipulated by the researcher in an experimental study is the

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is intentionally manipulated by the researcher to observe the effect on the dependent variable. The control variable is a variable held constant, the placebo is a treatment with no active ingredient used as a comparison group, and the dependent variable is the variable that is being observed and measured for changes.

Question 15

To better understand obstacles to condom use on college campuses, a researcher uses structured interviews with 20 male students about their most recent experience of unprotected sex. What research methodology is the researcher using?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is using structured interviews, which is a qualitative research methodology. The focus is on understanding the experiences and perspectives of the participants, rather than gathering numerical data or testing a hypothesis, which are characteristic of quantitative and experimental methods. A survey typically involves administering a standardized set of questions to a larger sample of participants, whereas this study involves in-depth interviews with a small number of participants.

Question 16

Which of the following is not an example of a qualitative methodology?

Accepted Answer

Multiple-choice questionnaires are a quantitative methodology, as they involve numerical data collection and statistical analysis. Qualitative methodologies focus on in-depth exploration of experiences, attitudes, and perceptions through methods such as structured interviews, diaries, and focus group discussions.

Question 17

After exposure to thirty minutes of sexually explicit film, or erotic but not sexually explicit film, sexual arousal is measured in female and male subjects with a penile strain gauge or a vaginal photoplethysmograph. What is the independent variable in this study?

Accepted Answer

The independent variable in this study is the type of film exposure that participants receive, either sexually explicit or erotic but not sexually explicit. This is the variable that is being manipulated by the researchers to see its effect on sexual arousal.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes what is usually included in informed consent?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent usually includes informing individuals about the benefits, risks, and procedures used in the study. It is important for participants to understand what they are agreeing to before they provide their consent. A is incorrect because individuals have the right to withdraw from a study at any time, even after agreeing to participate. B is incorrect because it is not necessarily true that individuals cannot receive incentives to participate, as long as those incentives are not coercive or cause undue influence. C is incorrect because individuals should be informed about the procedures used in the study in addition to the benefits and risks.

Question 19

If researchers have used a random assignment and held all other conditions constant, they can be confident that the findings of the study are the result of manipulation of which variable?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment ensures that participants are assigned to groups based solely on chance, and not any pre-existing factors or characteristics. Therefore, any differences between groups can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable(s). The dependent variable is the outcome that is being measured or observed, and the coefficient is a mathematical term used in statistical analyses. The term "corresponding" is not typically used in research methodology.

Question 20

Informed consent implies that

Accepted Answer

Informed consent requires that individuals are informed about the procedures, purpose, risks, and benefits involved in the research. It means that they have given their voluntary consent to participate in the research based on a clear understanding of what they will be asked to do, what the study's objective is, what the risks and benefits are, and what their rights are as participants.

B is incorrect because participants have the right to withdraw from the study at any point if they no longer wish to participate, without penalty.

C is incorrect because individuals need to be informed about procedures as well as purpose, risks, and benefits.

D is incorrect because informed consent is not just about telling participants the benefits of the research, they must also be informed about the potential risks involved.

Quiz 2: Research Methods