Question 1

How would you operationalize the variables in an experiment examining the impact of sleep deprivation on sense of humor?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How would you operationalize the variables in...

Question 2

Use the following to answer questions
Scenario I
Scenario I is based on fabricated data inspired by the following study:
Curry, N. A. & Kasser, T. (2005). Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? Art Therapy: Journal of American Art Therapy Association, 22(2) 81-85.
Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
Curry and Kasser were interested in examining whether coloring complex geometric patterns reduces anxiety. To that end, they induced anxiety in 84 undergraduate volunteers from their university. Following anxiety induction the participants were divided into two coloring conditions. To determine which condition each participant would be in the researchers put all of their names in a hat. The first name drawn was placed in group 1, the second name drawn was placed in group 2, the third name drawn was placed in group 1, and so on. Those in the complex geometric coloring condition (group 1) were given a paper with a plaid pattern or the outline of a mandala. Those in the control condition (group 2) were given a blank piece of paper. After 20 minutes of coloring all of the participants completed a self-administered State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). Lower SAI scores indicate low levels of anxiety whereas higher SAI scores indicate high levels of anxiety. The mean SAI scores of each coloring condition were compared to determine whether the type of coloring one does affects anxiety. The results revealed that those who colored a complex geometric pattern had significantly different levels of anxiety than those who colored on a blank sheet of paper. Curry and Kasser concluded that coloring causes a change in anxiety, but only when coloring requires a certain amount of attention and focus.
Figure 1. Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
 
-(Scenario I) Based on the information provided in Scenario I, which of the following statements BEST describe(s) the data shown in Figure 1?

Accepted Answer

The data in Figure 1 shows that there is a difference in anxiety levels between those who colored complex geometric patterns and those who colored on a blank sheet of paper. Therefore, there is a relationship between coloring complexity and anxiety. However, the data does not provide clear evidence for a decrease or increase in anxiety specifically from coloring complex patterns compared to free-form coloring, so options A and B are not supported by the given information. Therefore, the best choice is C.

Question 3

Define covariation and then list three examples of covariation that occur in your own life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define covariation and then list three examples...

Question 4

Use the following to answer questions
Scenario I
Scenario I is based on fabricated data inspired by the following study:
Curry, N. A. & Kasser, T. (2005). Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? Art Therapy: Journal of American Art Therapy Association, 22(2) 81-85.
Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
Curry and Kasser were interested in examining whether coloring complex geometric patterns reduces anxiety. To that end, they induced anxiety in 84 undergraduate volunteers from their university. Following anxiety induction the participants were divided into two coloring conditions. To determine which condition each participant would be in the researchers put all of their names in a hat. The first name drawn was placed in group 1, the second name drawn was placed in group 2, the third name drawn was placed in group 1, and so on. Those in the complex geometric coloring condition (group 1) were given a paper with a plaid pattern or the outline of a mandala. Those in the control condition (group 2) were given a blank piece of paper. After 20 minutes of coloring all of the participants completed a self-administered State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). Lower SAI scores indicate low levels of anxiety whereas higher SAI scores indicate high levels of anxiety. The mean SAI scores of each coloring condition were compared to determine whether the type of coloring one does affects anxiety. The results revealed that those who colored a complex geometric pattern had significantly different levels of anxiety than those who colored on a blank sheet of paper. Curry and Kasser concluded that coloring causes a change in anxiety, but only when coloring requires a certain amount of attention and focus.
Figure 1. Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
 
-(Scenario I) Let's say you are skeptical of the results of this study. You set out to replicate it to determine for yourself whether coloring affects anxiety. Since you don't have access to the State Anxiety Inventory you decide to measure participants' heart rate instead. In doing this, you have changed:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use the following to answer questions
Scenario I
Scenario...

Question 5

Use the following to answer questions
Scenario I
Scenario I is based on fabricated data inspired by the following study:
Curry, N. A. & Kasser, T. (2005). Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? Art Therapy: Journal of American Art Therapy Association, 22(2) 81-85.
Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
Curry and Kasser were interested in examining whether coloring complex geometric patterns reduces anxiety. To that end, they induced anxiety in 84 undergraduate volunteers from their university. Following anxiety induction the participants were divided into two coloring conditions. To determine which condition each participant would be in the researchers put all of their names in a hat. The first name drawn was placed in group 1, the second name drawn was placed in group 2, the third name drawn was placed in group 1, and so on. Those in the complex geometric coloring condition (group 1) were given a paper with a plaid pattern or the outline of a mandala. Those in the control condition (group 2) were given a blank piece of paper. After 20 minutes of coloring all of the participants completed a self-administered State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). Lower SAI scores indicate low levels of anxiety whereas higher SAI scores indicate high levels of anxiety. The mean SAI scores of each coloring condition were compared to determine whether the type of coloring one does affects anxiety. The results revealed that those who colored a complex geometric pattern had significantly different levels of anxiety than those who colored on a blank sheet of paper. Curry and Kasser concluded that coloring causes a change in anxiety, but only when coloring requires a certain amount of attention and focus.
Figure 1. Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
 
-(Scenario I) Had participants in this study been allowed to select whether they wanted to color the mandala, the plaid pattern, or the blank paper, the researchers would have used __________ assignment.

Accepted Answer

Allowing participants to choose their own group is an example of nonrandom assignment, as it does not involve random selection or assignment by the researchers.

Question 6

Use the following to answer questions
Scenario I
Scenario I is based on fabricated data inspired by the following study:
Curry, N. A. & Kasser, T. (2005). Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? Art Therapy: Journal of American Art Therapy Association, 22(2) 81-85.
Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
Curry and Kasser were interested in examining whether coloring complex geometric patterns reduces anxiety. To that end, they induced anxiety in 84 undergraduate volunteers from their university. Following anxiety induction the participants were divided into two coloring conditions. To determine which condition each participant would be in the researchers put all of their names in a hat. The first name drawn was placed in group 1, the second name drawn was placed in group 2, the third name drawn was placed in group 1, and so on. Those in the complex geometric coloring condition (group 1) were given a paper with a plaid pattern or the outline of a mandala. Those in the control condition (group 2) were given a blank piece of paper. After 20 minutes of coloring all of the participants completed a self-administered State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). Lower SAI scores indicate low levels of anxiety whereas higher SAI scores indicate high levels of anxiety. The mean SAI scores of each coloring condition were compared to determine whether the type of coloring one does affects anxiety. The results revealed that those who colored a complex geometric pattern had significantly different levels of anxiety than those who colored on a blank sheet of paper. Curry and Kasser concluded that coloring causes a change in anxiety, but only when coloring requires a certain amount of attention and focus.
Figure 1. Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
 
-(Scenario I) "Anxiety levels will not differ between those who color complex designs and those color free-form" is an example of a(n):

Accepted Answer

The statement "Anxiety levels will not differ between those who color complex designs and those color free-form" is a null hypothesis, which assumes that there is no significant difference between the two groups. The experiment is designed to reject or fail to reject this null hypothesis based on the results.

Question 7

Professor Robinson found that students who sit in the front row of his class receive better grades than students who sit in the back row of his class. Before he jumps to the conclusion that students in the front are smarter than those who sit in the back, he remembers that correlation does not equal causation. What are some extraneous variables that may explain the observed relationship between where a student sits and his/her class performance?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Professor Robinson found that students who sit...

Question 8

Give an example of an experimental hypothesis that a researcher would want to examine using a matched-pair design.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Give an example of an experimental hypothesis...

Question 9

As a pop-culture expert you have noticed that when celebrities wear the color black on the red carpet they receive more positive feedback than when they wear other colors. As a researcher, you decide to design an experimental study to test this observation. What would be your null hypothesis and your experimental hypothesis for the experimental study you design?

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a pop-culture expert you have noticed...

Question 10

Sofia notices that her friends engage in superstitious behavior, like knocking on wood for good luck and wearing "lucky" clothes on important days. To investigate the usefulness of such behavior, she conducts an extensive literature review to find relevant data in a number of common superstitions. Imagine the results she found were as follows:
Knocking on wood: t(51) = 4.12, p = .45, d = .24
Throwing salt over the shoulder: t(73) = 0.05, p = .87, d = .17
Avoiding black cats: t(62) = 6.96, p = .12, d = .33
Please compare and contrast these findings to draw conclusions about each superstition under investigation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sofia notices that her friends engage in...

Question 11

How would you create a manipulation check for an experiment testing whether wearing an activity tracker increases participants' persistence with a 90-day training program?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How would you create a manipulation check...

Question 12

What is a confederate, and how might an experimenter use a confederate to help administer a study on conformity to inexplicable fashion trends, like the rise in popularity of leggings among college-aged females?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a confederate, and how might...

Question 13

Use the following to answer questions
Scenario I
Scenario I is based on fabricated data inspired by the following study:
Curry, N. A. & Kasser, T. (2005). Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? Art Therapy: Journal of American Art Therapy Association, 22(2) 81-85.
Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
Curry and Kasser were interested in examining whether coloring complex geometric patterns reduces anxiety. To that end, they induced anxiety in 84 undergraduate volunteers from their university. Following anxiety induction the participants were divided into two coloring conditions. To determine which condition each participant would be in the researchers put all of their names in a hat. The first name drawn was placed in group 1, the second name drawn was placed in group 2, the third name drawn was placed in group 1, and so on. Those in the complex geometric coloring condition (group 1) were given a paper with a plaid pattern or the outline of a mandala. Those in the control condition (group 2) were given a blank piece of paper. After 20 minutes of coloring all of the participants completed a self-administered State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). Lower SAI scores indicate low levels of anxiety whereas higher SAI scores indicate high levels of anxiety. The mean SAI scores of each coloring condition were compared to determine whether the type of coloring one does affects anxiety. The results revealed that those who colored a complex geometric pattern had significantly different levels of anxiety than those who colored on a blank sheet of paper. Curry and Kasser concluded that coloring causes a change in anxiety, but only when coloring requires a certain amount of attention and focus.
Figure 1. Effect of Coloring on Anxiety
 
-(Scenario I) In this study, the experimental group did NOT:

Accepted Answer

The experimental group colored a complex geometric design, not a blank sheet of paper.

Question 14

What is a convenience sample? List some advantages and disadvantages of using this type of sample for an experimental study.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a convenience sample? List some...

Question 15

Katherine is interested in designing an experiment to examine whether people who use online dating websites are more likely to find satisfying relationships than individuals who do not use such websites. To do so, she designs a study where people in the experimental condition are those who have used online dating websites to find their current romantic partner. Participants in the control condition are individuals who met their partners in person. She measures and compares their current level of relationship satisfaction to reveal that participants who met online are more satisfied than those who met face-to-face. Imagine that you are a journal editor who received her manuscript claiming that online dating causes more satisfying relationship. What is the fatal flaw in her experimental design that would lead you to reject this paper for publication?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Katherine is interested in designing an experiment...

Question 16

Although Armand has not conducted any formal studies on the matter, he has noticed a positive correlation between the number of treats he gives his dog and the number of tricks his dog will do. Design a two-group experimental study examining the cause-and-effect relationship between treats and tricks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although Armand has not conducted any formal...

Question 17

When would it be appropriate for a researcher to use an experimental design as opposed to a nonexperimental design?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When would it be appropriate for a...

Question 18

How can a researcher increase the internal validity of an experiment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can a researcher increase the internal...

Question 19

What are acceptable ways to randomly assign participants to the control and experimental conditions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are acceptable ways to randomly assign...

Question 20

You are interested in conducting a research study to investigate whether the smell of cookies makes people happy. In your experimental condition, you have people complete a mood assessment with the smell of freshly baked cookies in the air. Design a control condition for this experiment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are interested in conducting a research...

Quiz 8: Two-Group Design: Texting: I Cant Get You Out of My Mind