Advanced Research Methods - Week 1

What is one key difference between science and pseudoscience?

a. Science relies on emotional appeals.

b. Pseudoscience undergoes rigorous peer review.

c. Science openly acknowledges failures to find results.

d. Pseudoscience meticulously describes experiments for replication.

Science openly acknowledges failures to find results.

Which type of reasoning is often used in qualitative research?

a. Deductive reasoning

b. Inductive reasoning

c. Both deductive and inductive reasoning

d. Neither deductive nor inductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning

In psychology, latent variables are:

a. Directly observable.

b. Easily measurable.

c. Not directly observable.

Not directly observable.

What is the main purpose of structural equation modeling in psychological research?

a. To create complex experimental designs.

b. To develop statistical models for nominal data.

c. To explore and test relationships between latent variables.

d. To analyze qualitative research data.

To explore and test relationships between latent variables

In an experiment, the independent variable is typically shown on which axis of a graph?

a. The x-axis

b. The y-axis

c. The z-axis

d. None of the above

The x-axis

Causal relationships imply that:

a. Events are random.

b. There is no relationship between variables.

c. Event B is a result of Event A.

d. Correlation implies causation.

Event B is a result of Event A.

What is the primary distinction between correlation and causation?

a. Correlation involves emotional appeals, while causation relies on data.

b. Correlation exists when one variable causes another.

c. Causation occurs when changes in one variable are essential for changes in another.

d. Correlation is not necessarily causation.

Correlation is not necessarily causation.

What is the Latin expression that describes the fallacy of assuming correlation implies causation?

a. Post hoc ergo propter hoc

b. Ad hoc

c. In hoc signo vinces

d. Non sequitur

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Which type of research design collects data at one instance and often infers or confirms relationships between variables?

a. Cross-sectional

b. Longitudinal

c. Experimental

d. Observational

Cross-sectional

What does experimental manipulation involve?

a. Observing naturally occurring changes in variables.

b. Actively changing or manipulating the independent variable.

c. Collecting data for a long period.

d. Studying latent variables.

Actively changing or manipulating the independent variable.

What is the term for variables that cause changes in the variable being measured and can lead to misleading conclusions if not properly accounted for?

a. Independent variables

b. Dependent variables

c. Extraneous variables

d. Latent variables

Extraneous variables

Which type of research is challenging to establish causation because it primarily involves observing and describing phenomena?

a. Nonexperimental research

b. Experimental research

c. Observational research

d. Correlational research

Nonexperimental research

What does reliability refer to in the context of measurement?

a. The extent to which a test measures what it's intended to measure.

b. The stability of a test over time.

c. The consistency and repeatability of a test.

d. The generalizability of test results.

The consistency and repeatability of a test.

What type of reliability assesses the consistency of scores when different raters or observers are involved in the assessment?

a. Test-retest reliability

b. Inter-rater reliability

c. Internal consistency reliability

d. External validity reliability

Inter-rater reliability

Which measurement scale involves categories with no meaningful numerical assignments?

a. Nominal

b. Ordinal

c. Interval

d. Ratio

Nominal

In the context of measurement, which scale allows meaningful addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division?

a. Nominal

b. Ordinal

c. Interval

d. Ratio

Interval

What is the primary distinction between continuous and discrete quantitative variables?

a. Continuous variables can only take whole numbers.

b. Discrete variables have an infinite number of possible values.

c. Continuous variables involve counting whole numbers.

d. Discrete variables have values that can assume virtually any value.

Continuous variables involve counting whole numbers.

Which of the following is NOT a measurement level?

a. Nominal

b. Ordinal

c. Interval

d. Qualitative

Qualitative

In the context of scientific research, what is the primary purpose of peer review?

a. To keep research findings confidential

b. To scrutinize research results before publication

c. To promote emotional appeals

d. To establish personal interests of scientists

To scrutinize research results before publication

Which type of research design is essential for making stronger claims about causal relationships?

a. Correlational design

b. Experimental design

c. Observational design

d. Descriptive design

Experimental design

What term is used to describe variables that may lead to misleading conclusions in research?

a. Independent variables

b. Confounding variables

c. Dependent variables

d. Extraneous variables

Confounding variables

Which type of validity assesses whether the results of a test can be generalized to larger populations or real-world settings?

a. Face validity

b. Construct validity

c. Internal validity

d. External validity

External validity

Which of the following is a type of reliability assessment that involves administering the same test to the same individuals on two separate occasions?

a. Inter-rater reliability

b. Test-retest reliability

c. Internal consistency reliability

d. External validity reliability

Test-retest reliability

What is the primary distinction between nominal and ordinal scales of measurement?

a. Nominal scales involve ranking, while ordinal scales do not.

b. Nominal scales have equal intervals, while ordinal scales do not.

c. Ordinal scales involve categories, while nominal scales do not.

d. Ordinal scales allow for mathematical operations, while nominal scales do not.

Ordinal scales allow for mathematical operations, while nominal scales do not.

Which of the following is an example of a continuous quantitative variable? a. Number of siblings

b. Reaction time in milliseconds

c. Personality traits (e.g., introversion or extraversion)

d. Gender (e.g., male or female)

Reaction time in milliseconds

What does the term "operationalization" refer to in research?

a. The process of conducting experiments

b. The process of developing statistical models

c. The process of specifying how a variable will be measured

d. The process of interpreting research results

The process of specifying how a variable will be measured

In experimental research, what is the control group used for?

a. To manipulate the independent variable

b. To observe naturally occurring changes

c. To establish causality

d. To provide a baseline for comparison

To provide a baseline for comparison

Which of the following is NOT one of the four levels of measurement?

a. Qualitative

b. Nominal

c. Interval

d. Ratio

Qualitative

Which type of reasoning is commonly used in quantitative research to test pre-formulated hypotheses?

a. Deductive reasoning

b. Inductive reasoning

c. Abductive reasoning

d. Qualitative reasoning

Deductive reasoning

In research, what is the term for variables that are not directly observable? a. Extraneous variables

b. Dependent variables

c. Independent variables

d. Latent variables

Latent variables