Question 1

When a distribution is skewed,the median is a better measure of the "average" than the mean.

Accepted Answer

When a distribution is skewed, the values are not evenly spread out around the mean. This can cause the mean to be pulled towards the long tail of the distribution. The median, however, is not affected by extreme values and is therefore a better measure of the "average" in skewed distributions.

Question 2

The mean,median,and mode are all measures of central tendency.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The mean, median, and mode are all used to describe the "average" value of a dataset or distribution, and are examples of measures of central tendency.

Question 3

Using random sampling increases the likelihood that the results from studying a sample will generalize to the population.

Accepted Answer

Random sampling helps to ensure that the sample is representative of the population, which increases the likelihood that the results can be generalized to the population as a whole.

Question 4

A correlation of -.80 is a stronger relationship than a correlation of +.50.

Accepted Answer

A correlation of -.80 is closer to -1, which represents a perfect negative correlation, while a correlation of +.50 is closer to +1, which represents a perfect positive correlation. Therefore, a correlation of -.80 is a stronger relationship.

Question 5

In a double-blind experiment,neither the participant nor the researcher knows which treatment group the participant is in.

Accepted Answer

In a double-blind experiment, both the participant and the researcher are unaware of the treatment group the participant is in, which reduces the potential for bias or expectation effects.

Question 6

Once the results of a study have been peer reviewed and published they are considered accurate,even if other researchers cannot replicate them.

Accepted Answer

The accuracy of a study's results is not solely determined by peer review and publication. Replication of the study by other researchers is an important factor in determining the validity and accuracy of the results. If other researchers cannot replicate the findings, it raises concerns about the reliability of the original study.

Question 7

If someone takes an intelligence test several times and receives the same score,the test has high validity.

Accepted Answer

High validity means that the test accurately measures what it is intended to measure. The fact that someone receives the same score every time they take the test does not necessarily indicate high validity. It could be due to the individual simply memorizing the answers or the test having low variability. To determine validity, other factors such as correlation with other established measures of intelligence should be considered.

Question 8

Asking participants to write about upsetting or traumatic experiences puts them at risk for cognitive and emotional stress.

Accepted Answer

Asking participants to write about upsetting or traumatic experiences can trigger negative emotions and memories, leading to cognitive and emotional stress. This is a known psychological phenomenon and researchers should take precautions to mitigate any potential harm to participants.

Question 9

If the distribution of quiz scores for a class has high variability,most of the students scored within a few points of each other.

Accepted Answer

If the distribution of quiz scores has high variability, it means that the scores are spread out over a wide range, indicating that there were more significant differences in scores among the students. This means that most of the students did not score within a few points of each other.

Question 10

The right to give informed consent stays with a volunteer throughout the entire study,and they should be able to withdraw at any point.

Accepted Answer

This is a basic principle of ethical research, that participants have the right to freely and fully understand the nature and purpose of the study, and can withdraw their participation at any time without penalty.

Question 11

If a group of researchers find that the number of books fifth grade students read is positively correlated with their scores on an intelligence test,it would be correct to conclude that having children read more increases their intelligence.

Accepted Answer

While there may be a positive correlation between the number of books read and intelligence test scores, it does not necessarily mean that reading more causes an increase in intelligence. There could be other factors at play, such as children who are already more intelligent being more likely to enjoy reading and therefore read more. Additionally, correlation does not necessarily mean causation.

Question 12

A negatively skewed distribution has a long tail on the right of the cluster.

Accepted Answer

A negatively skewed distribution has a long tail on the left of the cluster.

Question 13

For security and confidentiality reasons,once the results of a study are reported in a journal or at a conference,the data should be destroyed.

Accepted Answer

The data should not be destroyed after publication as it is essential for future reference, replication, and scrutiny of the study's findings. However, access to the data should be restricted to protect the privacy of participants and uphold ethical standards.

Question 14

Researchers are not allowed to deceive participants about the purpose of the study.

Accepted Answer

Researchers can use deception about the purpose of a study if it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the research and if the deception is not expected to cause harm or significant distress to participants. This must be followed by a debriefing to explain the true nature of the study.

Question 15

Good scientific research is based on measurements that are objective,valid,and reliable.

Accepted Answer

Objective measurements are those that are not influenced by personal opinions or biases; valid measurements are those that accurately measure what they're intended to measure; and reliable measurements are those that produce consistent results. These characteristics are essential for good scientific research.

Question 16

If researchers find a statistically significant result,they would be likely to find the same result if they replicated the study again.

Accepted Answer

If the researchers find a statistically significant result, it means that there is a low probability of obtaining that result by chance. Hence, if they replicate the study again with the same sample or a different sample, the chance of obtaining the same result would still be low, making it likely to find the same result. However, there are several factors that may affect replication, such as the quality of research design, sample size, and the accuracy of measurement tools used.

Question 17

Surveys and questionnaires are used to collect self-report data.

Accepted Answer

Surveys and questionnaires are commonly used to collect self-report data, where individuals answer questions about themselves or their experiences.

Question 18

Researchers must give participants total anonymity.

Accepted Answer

Researchers have the option to provide participants with anonymity or confidentiality, but they are not required to give total anonymity. Anonymity means that the participant's identity cannot be linked to their responses in any way, while confidentiality means that the participant's identity can be linked to their responses, but this information will be kept private by the researcher. Which method is used will depend on the specific research study and the ethical considerations involved.

Question 19

Pedro designs an experiment to test whether drinking a protein shake after weightlifting increases muscle development.The independent variable in his experiment is the protein shake.

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the factor that is deliberately manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In this case, Pedro is manipulating the intake of a protein shake, which makes it the independent variable.

Quiz 2: A: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research