Question 1

In a 2 × 2 complex design,one independent variable was shown not to have a statistically significant main effect on the dependent variable.Based on this,we can state that
A)the independent variable has external validity over the levels of the second independent variable.
B)for the variable to be considered relevant in this experiment,it must interact with the second independent variable.
C)it is not a relevant independent variable.
D)the variable will definitely interact with the second independent variable in this experiment.

Accepted Answer

If an independent variable does not have a main effect, it might still be relevant if it interacts with another variable, indicating that its effect depends on the level of the other variable.

Question 2

When an independent variable such as task difficulty has been shown to interact with a second independent variable such as age,the generality (i.e. ,ability to generalize the findings)of the effect of the task difficulty variable is
A)unaffected.
B)limited.
C)increased.
D)completeD.

Accepted Answer

The interaction of task difficulty and age suggests that the effect of task difficulty may be limited to certain age groups or contexts, which reduces the generality of the findings. Therefore, choice B, limited, is the best answer.

Question 3

The overall analysis of variance of a complex design indicates that there is no interaction effect.Which of the following analyses should be done as the next step in analyzing this experiment?
A)main effects
B)simple main effects
C)comparisons of two means
D)simple interaction effects

Accepted Answer

Since there is no significant interaction effect, the next step would be to examine the main effects to see if there is a significant effect of each independent variable on the dependent variable.

Question 4

Which of the following represents the general measurement problem that occurs when performance reaches a maximum in any condition of an experiment?
A)effect size
B)ceiling effect
C)mediating effect
D)floor effect

Accepted Answer

The ceiling effect is the general measurement problem that occurs when performance reaches a maximum in any condition of an experiment. It happens when the participants in a study have high scores in all variables, making it difficult to detect differences and draw conclusions. So, this option is the best choice. Effect size measures the magnitude of the difference between two groups or conditions, Mediating effect refers to the mechanism that explains the relationship between two variables, and Floor effect occurs when the participants score low in all variables.

Question 5

An interaction effect is likely to be uninterpretable when this problem in measurement occurs:
A)ceiling or floor effect.
B)simple main effect.
C)nonparallel lines.
D)highly reliable measurement of the dependent variable.

Accepted Answer

A ceiling or floor effect occurs when a large proportion of the participants score at either the highest or lowest possible level on the dependent variable. This can lead to a lack of variability in the scores and make it difficult to interpret any interaction effects that may be present.

Question 6

When no interaction effect occurs in a complex design with two independent variables,we know the effects of each independent variable can be generalized
A)only across the two independent variables included in the experiment.
B)only across the characteristics of the participants tested in the experiment.
C)across all factors held constant in the experiment.
D)beyond the conditions that were included in the experiment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When no interaction effect occurs in a...

Question 7

Which of the following is one of the reasons for being cautious about saying that an independent variable is an irrelevant independent variable if the variable did not have an effect in a single-factor experiment?
A)We can assume that this independent variable would not have an effect if different levels of the variable had been tested.
B)We know the independent variable could interact with another independent variable when used in a complex design.
C)We know that experiments in which an independent variable does not have an effect are inherently uninterpretable.
D)We know that single-factor experiments cannot be used to identify relevant independent variables.

Accepted Answer

Just because an independent variable did not have an effect in a single-factor experiment does not mean that it would not have an effect in a complex design where it can interact with another independent variable. Therefore, it is important to be cautious about assuming that it is an irrelevant independent variable.

Question 8

A potential solution to the problem of drawing causal inferences based on the natural groups design is to use a complex design involving a natural groups design for an individual differences variable along with a manipulated independent variable.An important key to this potential solution is to
A)obtain a main effect of the individual differences variable but not of the manipulated independent variable
B)obtain a main effect of the manipulated independent variable but not of the individual differences variable.
C)obtain main effects of both the individual differences variable and the manipulated independent variable.
D)obtain an interaction effect of the individual differences variable and the manipulated independent variable.

Accepted Answer

By obtaining an interaction effect of the individual differences variable and the manipulated independent variable, we can establish a causal relationship between the independent variable and the outcome variable while also taking into account the potential influence of individual differences within natural groups. A main effect of either variable alone would not address the potential confound of natural group differences, and a lack of any main effects would suggest a weak study design.

Question 9

The natural groups design is effective for establishing
A)causal inferences between individuals' characteristics and their performance on a task.
B)external validity of findings relating individuals' characteristics and their performance on a task.
C)correlations between individuals' characteristics and their performance on a task.
D)spurious relationships between individuals' characteristics and their performance on a task.

Accepted Answer

The natural groups design is effective for establishing correlations, not causation, between individuals' characteristics and their performance on a task. It observes existing differences without manipulation.

Question 10

The interpretation of main effects obtained in a complex design is critically dependent on whether
A)only one main effect occurs in the experiment.
B)more than one main effect occurs in the experiment.
C)an interaction effect is present in the experiment.
D)an interaction effect is not present in the experiment.

Accepted Answer

The presence or absence of an interaction effect in the experiment will influence the interpretation of main effects. In the presence of an interaction effect, the interpretation of main effects becomes more complex, and the unique contribution of each main effect cannot be isolated. Therefore, it is important to consider the presence of an interaction effect when interpreting main effects in a complex design. If there is no interaction effect, then the main effects can be interpreted independently.

Question 11

A student has done an experiment involving a 4 × 2 design.The students' initial analysis of variance indicates that there was no statistically significant interaction effect in the experiment.The independent variable with four levels,however,did produce a statistically significant main effect.Which of the following analyses should the student do next to specify the source of this main effect more precisely?
A)eta-squared analyses
B)simple main effects
C)comparisons of two means
D)simple interaction effects

Accepted Answer

The student should perform comparisons of two means, often referred to as post-hoc tests, to determine which specific levels of the independent variable with four levels differ from each other, thereby specifying the source of the main effect.

Question 12

There are several steps an investigator must take in carrying out the general procedure for drawing causal inferences based on the natural groups design.Which of the following is not one of the steps an investigator must take?
A)Select a second individual differences variable that would be expected to interact with the primary individual differences variable.
B)Develop a theory explaining why a difference should occur between groups differentiated on the basis of an individual differences variable.
C)Select an independent variable that can be manipulated and that should influence the likelihood that the theoretical process will occur.
D)Strive to produce an interaction effect between a manipulated independent variable and the primary individual differences variable.

Accepted Answer

The step of selecting a second individual differences variable that would be expected to interact with the primary individual differences variable is not necessary for carrying out the general procedure for drawing causal inferences based on the natural groups design. The other steps mentioned are important for this procedure.

Question 13

The limits of the external validity of the effects of each of the two independent variables in a complex design are specified when
A)there is no interaction effect of the two variables but significant main effects for both variables.
B)there is no interaction effect of the two variables and neither variable produces a main effect.
C)there is no interaction effect of the two variables and one independent variable has a main effect but the other variable does not.
D)there is an interaction effect of the two variables and main effects of the variables may or may not be present.

Accepted Answer

When there is an interaction effect of the two variables, it means that the effects of each independent variable on the dependent variable differ depending on the level of the other independent variable. This makes it difficult to generalize the effects of each independent variable separately, as their effects are intertwined. Therefore, the limits of external validity in a complex design are specified when there is an interaction effect, regardless of the presence or absence of main effects.

Question 14

Complex designs enhance researchers' ability to test hypotheses derived from theories because complex designs
A)require more specific operational definitions of concepts.
B)insure that the null hypothesis will be false.
C)have higher internal validity.
D)make it possible to test both main effects and interaction effects.

Accepted Answer

Complex designs allow researchers to test both main effects (the effects of each independent variable on the dependent variable) and interaction effects (the combined effect of two or more independent variables on the dependent variable). This can provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationships between variables and help to support or refute theoretical predictions. While complex designs do require more specific operational definitions of concepts, they do not necessarily insure that the null hypothesis will be false or have higher internal validity than simpler designs.

Question 15

A common approach for resolving contradictory findings in research literature is to develop a theory for the source of different findings and
A)manipulate independent variables in a complex design to test the theory.
B)examine the relationship between a natural groups variable and a dependent variable.
C)create experimental conditions that will lead to a floor effect for one set of findings.
D)eliminate any possibility for statistical interactions among the independent variables.

Accepted Answer

Developing a theory for the source of different findings and manipulating independent variables in a complex design to test the theory is the best approach for resolving contradictory findings in research literature. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the results and can help identify potential limitations or confounding variables.

Quiz 8: Complex Designs

In a 2 × 2 complex design,one independent variable was shown not to have a statistically significant main effect on the dependent variable.Based on this,we can state that

When an independent variable such as task difficulty has been shown to interact with a second independent variable such as age,the generality (i.e. ,ability to generalize the findings) of the effect of the task difficulty variable is

The overall analysis of variance of a complex design indicates that there is no interaction effect.Which of the following analyses should be done as the next step in analyzing this experiment?

Which of the following represents the general measurement problem that occurs when performance reaches a maximum in any condition of an experiment?

An interaction effect is likely to be uninterpretable when this problem in measurement occurs:

When no interaction effect occurs in a complex design with two independent variables,we know the effects of each independent variable can be generalized

Which of the following is one of the reasons for being cautious about saying that an independent variable is an irrelevant independent variable if the variable did not have an effect in a single-factor experiment?

A potential solution to the problem of drawing causal inferences based on the natural groups design is to use a complex design involving a natural groups design for an individual differences variable along with a manipulated independent variable.An important key to this potential solution is to

The natural groups design is effective for establishing

The interpretation of main effects obtained in a complex design is critically dependent on whether

There are several steps an investigator must take in carrying out the general procedure for drawing causal inferences based on the natural groups design.Which of the following is not one of the steps an investigator must take?

The limits of the external validity of the effects of each of the two independent variables in a complex design are specified when

Complex designs enhance researchers' ability to test hypotheses derived from theories because complex designs

A common approach for resolving contradictory findings in research literature is to develop a theory for the source of different findings and