Question 1

In an experiment, a statistically significant result depends the most on which two factors?

Accepted Answer

A)  the size of the difference between groups and the validity of the experiment 
B)  the size of the difference between groups and the number of cases on which it is based 
C)  the validity of the experiment and the number of cases on which it is based 
D)  the validity of the experiment and the number of dependent variables the study used

Question 2

Which of the following research methods is the best way to identify a causal relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

A)  observational 
B)  archival 
C)  correlational 
D)  experimental

Question 3

If a social psychology experiment is conducted that has very little relation to real-life experiences or situations, this experiment would be low in

Accepted Answer

A)  external validity. 
B)  internal validity. 
C)  reliability. 
D)  statistical significance.

Question 4

A group of social psychologists are working on a research project with the aim of promoting condom use as a way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. This type of research project is probably best described as ________ science.

Accepted Answer

A)  basic 
B)  applied 
C)  pseudo- 
D)  hard

Question 5

Which of the following best describes a research study that randomly assigns people to different conditions and carefully controls all of the other circumstances so that they will be the same across the two conditions?

Accepted Answer

A)  experiment 
B)  correlation 
C)  survey 
D)  observation

Question 6

What does it mean when there is a statistically significant relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does it mean when there is...

Question 7

Experiments are different from other research methods in that they encompass which of the following components?

Accepted Answer

A)  self-selection 
B)  two variables 
C)  random sampling 
D)  random assignment

Question 8

Describe the following research methods in social psychology: observational, archival, and survey. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the following research methods in social...

Question 9

When an experiment has poor internal validity, which of the following might be of concern?

Accepted Answer

A)  The results of the experiment may not relate to real-world situations. 
B)  It might be difficult to determine if the independent variable was what produced the result. 
C)  The observed results may not be statistically significant. 
D)  The results may not be practically significant.

Question 10

Debriefing participants after an experiment is completed is always an important step in the experimental procedure. However, debriefing is particularly important when

Accepted Answer

A)  deception is used. 
B)  an institutional review board has not reviewed the study. 
C)  a monetary reward is given. 
D)  informed consent has not been obtained.

Question 11

When there is a high correlation between a measurement instrument and the outcomes that the instrument is supposed to predict, this instrument is said to be high in

Accepted Answer

A)  measurement validity. 
B)  internal validity. 
C)  reliability. 
D)  statistical significance.

Question 12

What is one of the most important differences between correlational and experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

A)  Experiments measure the degree of the relationship between two variables. 
B)  Correlations only examine one variable. 
C)  Experiments use random assignment. 
D)  It is impossible to determine cause by doing an experiment.

Question 13

Describe the difference between basic science and applied science.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the difference between basic science and...

Question 14

Describe the types of concerns that an investigator might have about conducting a study with poor external validity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the types of concerns that an...

Question 15

It is very common for magazines to conduct surveys in which readers voluntarily fill out survey cards and mail the cards to the publisher. The main problem with conducting a survey in this manner is that

Accepted Answer

A)  some of these surveys will be lost by the postal service. 
B)  people are not truthful when filling out anonymous surveys. 
C)  mail-in surveys are generally not as effective as surveys conducted over the Internet. 
D)  people who respond to the survey are likely to be different from those who do not respond.

Question 16

High school seniors were given a test that is supposed to predict scholastic performance during the first year of college. When the results were analyzed, however, there was no correlation between the test scores and first-year performance. This is an example of poor

Accepted Answer

A)  statistical significance. 
B)  reliability. 
C)  measurement validity. 
D)  internal validity.

Question 17

Dr. Gupta reads a colleague's research report and is very surprised by the results. She decides to run the study herself, using the exact same procedures. Dr. Gupta does not get the same results and confronts her colleague about this issue. Describe the process in which Dr. Gupta is engaging and consider its importance for social psychology and science more generally.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Gupta reads a colleague's research report...

Question 18

You read the results of a survey that reports that two-thirds of Cosmopolitan readers lost weight by "going vegan." You should not give the report of this survey much credence because

Accepted Answer

A)  Cosmopolitan readers are disinterested in participating in surveys. 
B)  readers were not properly assigned to control and experimental conditions. 
C)  readers who responded to the survey are not likely the same as those who did not. 
D)  Cosmopolitan readers are overly eager to participate in surveys.

Question 19

Which of the following is a limitation of correlational research?

Accepted Answer

A)  We can never be sure about causality. 
B)  The strength of the relationship cannot be inferred. 
C)  Independent variables can be manipulated. 
D)  Self-selection of participants is not a problem.

Question 20

What are the benefits of conducting a debriefing after the conclusion of a study, for both the investigator and the participant?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the benefits of conducting a...

Exam 2: The Methods of Social Psychology