Psyc012 Quiz 2

What was the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

A study conducted from 1932–1972 where researchers observed Black men with syphilis without properly treating them, even after penicillin became available.

What are the three principles of the Belmont Report?

• Respect for persons

• Beneficence

• Justice

What does “respect for persons” mean?

Researchers must obtain informed consent and avoid coercion, especially with vulnerable populations.

What is beneficence?

Protecting participants from harm and maximizing benefits while minimizing risks.

What is justice in research ethics?

Fair balance of benefits and costs associated with research participation.

What is an IRB?

An Institutional Review Board that reviews research before it begins to ensure ethical treatment of participants.

What is coercion?

Pressuring someone to participate by implying negative consequences if they refuse.

What is undue influence?

Offering rewards so attractive that participants feel unable to refuse participation.

What is informed consent?

Giving participants enough information about procedures, risks, benefits, and withdrawal rights so they can decide whether to participate.

What is deception in research?

When researchers intentionally withhold information or mislead participants about the study.

What is debriefing?

Explaining the true purpose and details of the study after participation ends.

What are the three major forms of research misconduct?

• Plagiarism

• Data fabrication

• Data falsification

What is a population?

The entire group researchers want to study.

What is a sample?

The subset of the population actually studied.

What is a representative sample?

A sample where all members of the population have an equal chance of being selected.

What is a biased sample?

A sample where some members of the population are more likely to be selected than others.

What is random sampling?

A method where every member of the population has an equal chance of selection.

Is random sampling the same as random assignment?

No. Random sampling selects participants from a population, while random assignment places participants into groups in an experiment.

What is convenience sampling?

Sampling people who are easiest to access.

What is self-selection sampling?

When participants volunteer themselves for a study.

What is snowball sampling?

Participants recruit additional participants through their social networks.

What is stratified random sampling?

Researchers divide people into demographic groups and randomly sample from each group proportionally.

What are common characteristics of research volunteers?

They tend to have:

• Higher SES

• Higher IQ

• Higher conscientiousness

• Greater extraversion

• More social approval needs

• More likely female

What is a bivariate correlation?

A statistical relationship between exactly two variables.

What does NOIR stand for?

• Nominal

• Ordinal

• Interval

• Ratio

Which scales are categorical?

Nominal scales.

Which scales are continuous?

Ordinal, interval, and ratio scales are generally treated as continuous in this course context.

What is an independent samples t-test used for?

Analyzing the relationship between one categorical variable and one continuous variable.

What is effect size?

The strength of a relationship between variables.

What does a p-value represent?

The likelihood that the observed result occurred by chance if there is no true effect.

What is an outlier?

An extreme score on one or both variables.

What is restriction of range?

When only part of the full range of scores is represented, weakening the correlation.

What is a curvilinear relationship?

A relationship that is not represented by a straight line.

Why does correlation not equal causation?

Because correlational studies cannot establish:

1. Temporal precedence

2. Internal validity

3. Elimination of third variables

What is a multivariate design?

A correlational study involving more than two variables.

What is a longitudinal design?

Measuring the same variables repeatedly over time.

What is a criterion variable?

The outcome variable researchers are trying to predict.

What is a predictor variable?

A variable used to predict changes in the criterion variable.

What is the purpose of multiple regression?

To predict an outcome using several predictor variables while controlling for third variables.

What does “controlling for” mean?

Holding a possible third variable constant while examining the relationship between two other variables.

What is a beta (β)?

A statistic showing the relationship between a predictor variable and the criterion variable in regression analysis.

What is a mediator?

A variable explaining WHY two variables are related.

What is a moderator?

A variable explaining WHEN or FOR WHOM a relationship occurs.

What is a third variable?

A separate variable that influences both variables in a correlation, potentially explaining the relationship.

Can multiple regression prove causation?

No. It improves evidence for causation but still cannot fully establish temporal precedence or eliminate all third variables.