Confounding Variables Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which type of research design allows us to make cause-and-effect inferences?

Self report measures

Experimental designs (correct)

Correlation designs

Case study designs

What does a positive correlation indicate?

No association between variables

As one variable increases, the other decreases

No relation between variables

As one variable increases, the other increases (correct)

What is the range of correlations?

0 to +1.00

-1.00 to 0

0 to 1.00

-1.00 to +1.00 (correct)

What is the main limitation of case study designs?

They lack internal validity Signup and view all the answers

What is the correlation-causation fallacy?

Assuming that correlations indicate causation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of self report measures?

To assess a variety of characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What is the third variable problem in correlation designs?

The presence of a third variable that causes both variables being studied Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about prefrontal lobotomy?

It involved severing the fibers connecting the frontal lobe and thalamus. Signup and view all the answers

Which mode of thinking requires little mental effort and involves heuristics?

Intuitive thinking Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of random selection in scientific research?

To ensure that every person in the research sample has an equal chance of being chosen Signup and view all the answers

What does reliability refer to in the context of research?

The consistency of measurement Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between reliability and validity?

A test must be reliable in order to be valid. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of research design mentioned in the text?

Self-report measures Signup and view all the answers

What does naturalistic observation involve?

Observing behavior in real-world settings Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a potential confounding variable in an experimental study?

A variable that is controlled for in the study design Signup and view all the answers

What is the placebo effect?

Improvement because you expect improvement Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a double-blind design in an experiment?

To prevent experimenter expectancy effect Signup and view all the answers

What are demand characteristics in a research study?

Cues that participants pick up on and guess the researcher's hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of obtaining informed consent from research participants?

To inform participants about the purpose of the research Signup and view all the answers

What is the range in descriptive statistics?

The difference between the highest and lowest score Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for a finding to be statistically significant?

The finding occurred by chance alone less than 5% of the time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about statistical significance and practical significance?

Larger sample sizes increase the likelihood of statistical significance but not practical significance. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a finding is statistically significant but not practically significant?

The finding has no relevance in the real world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of meta-analytic research in demonstrating practical significance?

Meta-analytic research helps determine practical significance. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the likelihood of finding statistical significance as sample size increases?

The likelihood of finding statistical significance increases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between effect size and the overall relevance of findings?

Larger effect sizes increase the overall relevance of findings. Signup and view all the answers

If a finding is statistically significant, what can we conclude about its practical significance?

The finding may or may not be practically significant. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of larger sample sizes on practical significance?

Larger sample sizes have no impact on practical significance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between statistical significance and practical significance?

Statistical significance does not imply practical significance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of large effect sizes on the overall relevance of findings?

Large effect sizes increase the overall relevance of findings. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Design and Inferences

Experimental research design enables cause-and-effect inferences.
Observational research methods can identify correlations but not causal relationships.

Correlation Insights

A positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, so does the other.
Correlations range from -1 to +1, with values closer to these extremes indicating stronger relationships.
The correlation-causation fallacy confuses correlational relationships with direct causation.

Research Limitations and Considerations

Case study designs lack generalizability and can introduce bias as they focus on individual cases.
The third-variable problem refers to an outside influence that may affect both variables in a correlation study.

Understanding Experimental Designs

Prefrontal lobotomy is a neurosurgical procedure historically used primarily to treat severe mental illness.
Heuristic thinking requires minimal mental effort and relies on shortcuts for decision-making.
Random selection ensures that each individual has an equal chance of being included in a study, enhancing representativeness.

Reliability and Validity

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measurement across different trials.
Validity indicates whether a study measures what it purports to measure; high reliability does not guarantee validity.

Observational and Experimental Methods

Naturalistic observation involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.
Demand characteristics are cues in an experiment that may influence participant behavior, potentially skewing results.

Ethical Considerations and Data Interpretation

Informed consent ensures participants understand their role and agree to participate in research ethically.
Descriptive statistics summarize and present data characteristics, such as mean, median, and range.

Statistical Significance

A statistically significant finding implies that the results are unlikely to have occurred by chance, typically at a p-value less than 0.05.
Statistical significance does not always imply practical significance; a finding can be statistically significant without having real-world relevance.

Effect Size and Sample Size

Larger sample sizes enhance the likelihood of achieving statistical significance.
Effect size measures the strength of a relationship or the magnitude of difference, impacting the perceived relevance of results.
Larger effect sizes typically indicate more substantial findings, influencing both statistical and practical significance.

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Description

Test your knowledge of confounding variables and their impact on research studies in this quiz. Learn how these variables can influence results and how to minimize their effects for more accurate findings.