PS295 3

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Questions and Answers

What type of variable is the size of food reward in grams?

Discrete variable

Qualitative variable

Categorical variable

Continuous variable (correct)

Which of the following is an example of a situation variable?

Age of the participants

Number of students in the class

Marital status of participants

Temperature of the room during the experiment (correct)

Which one of these is a manipulated variable?

Hunger level of the participant

Type of music playing in the experiment (correct)

Season of the year

Political affiliation

Self-esteem rating on a scale from 1 to 10 is considered what type of variable?

Discrete variable Signup and view all the answers

Which variable type describes the political affiliations of participants?

Measured variable Signup and view all the answers

What defines a measured variable?

It is observed and recorded. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following variables is a participant variable?

Extraversion of the participant Signup and view all the answers

Which quality typically remains constant in an experimental situation involving manipulated variables?

The participant characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines a variable in research?

An entity that can take on multiple values Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'levels of variables'?

The various categories or types within a variable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of claim in research?

Correlational claims Signup and view all the answers

Which validity focuses on how well a test measures what it is intended to measure?

Construct validity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples illustrates a change in a variable?

Self-esteem levels differing among participants Signup and view all the answers

What must a variable possess to be classified as such?

At least two values Signup and view all the answers

In the context of variables, which statement is true regarding 'natural variability'?

It arises from differences among cases Signup and view all the answers

What type of research claim is made when stating that '60% of individuals prefer chocolate ice cream'?

Frequency claim Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of an independent variable in an experiment?

To manipulate and test the presumed cause Signup and view all the answers

In non-experimental studies, how are the variables typically referred to instead of independent and dependent variables?

Predictor and criterion variables Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about operational definitions is correct?

They specify the precise measurements or manipulations of a concept. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a dependent variable from an independent variable in an experimental study?

Dependent variables are always measured. Signup and view all the answers

Given an example, 'measure people’s levels of anxiety and also measure alcohol consumption,' which variable is the independent variable?

The level of anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Why might an independent variable be defined more loosely in some studies?

To allow for broader interpretations of causation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the conceptual definition in research?

To describe the construct's theoretical meaning Signup and view all the answers

In experiments, what is the term used for the presumed effect that is measured?

Dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a physiological measure that can be used to operationalize anxiety?

Heart rate measurements Signup and view all the answers

What operational definition best relates to the conceptual variable of aggression in children?

Teacher ratings of aggressive behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method to operationalize hunger?

Self-reported frequency of food cravings Signup and view all the answers

Which operational definition is appropriate for measuring intelligence?

Score on standardized IQ test Signup and view all the answers

What type of operational definition informs about depression through an individual's self-reported experience?

Validated psychometric scales Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could be considered a manipulated variable for studying motivation?

Varying the difficulty of tasks given to participants Signup and view all the answers

Which operational definition for assessing current mood focuses on measurable data?

Heart rate variability assessments Signup and view all the answers

For operationalizing test studying strategies, which aspect would best classify as a measured variable?

Measured improvement in test scores post-study Signup and view all the answers

Which verb indicates a causal claim?

Promotes Signup and view all the answers

What is the first criterion for concluding causation?

Covariance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a hallmark of experimental studies?

They can control for external variables more effectively. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements best represents temporal precedence?

High temperature may lead to lower ice cream sales. Signup and view all the answers

What does internal validity refer to in research?

The level of control over variables affecting the study outcome. Signup and view all the answers

Which claim can be classified as correlational rather than causal?

More time spent studying is related to better grades. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase indicates a possibility rather than a definitive claim?

Eating fruit may improve health. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'covariance' imply in a research study?

The variables change together in some fashion. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of validity is concerned with how well a variable was measured?

Construct Validity Signup and view all the answers

Which validity type evaluates whether findings can be applied to other populations or contexts?

External Validity Signup and view all the answers

What is assessed by the margin of error in statistical validity?

The precision of an estimate Signup and view all the answers

In the context of causal claims, what is necessary to establish without doubt?

Temporal precedence Signup and view all the answers

Which type of validity is NOT relevant for association claims?

Internal Validity Signup and view all the answers

What does the construct validity of a causal claim assess?

How well the variables were measured or manipulated Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following questions is pertinent to statistical validity for association claims?

How precise is the estimate of the correlation? Signup and view all the answers

What must a study using causal claims do to avoid common threats to internal validity?

Implement random assignment to groups Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Variables in Research

Variables are the basic building blocks of research.
Variables can be defined informally as characteristics studied, or anything that can take on different values or levels across a set of cases.
Variables must have at least two values or levels to be considered a variable. Otherwise, it's a constant.
Variables can relate to people, events, or organizations.
Examples include self-esteem, height, gender, hair color, and reasoning ability.

Types of Variables

Qualitative variables classify or categorize; levels differ in quality or type.
Examples include religious affiliation, political party membership, marital status, or type of music.
Quantitative variables differ in terms of quantity or amount of some underlying dimension.
They can be ordered from less to more.
Examples include degree of religiosity, income level, self-esteem, or IQ scores.
Discrete variables have no meaningful values between levels and can only be measured in whole units.
Examples include family size, type of therapy, number of friends.
Continuous variables have meaningful values between levels and can be measured in whole or fractional units.
Examples include height, weight, and ratings of agreement.

Levels of Variables

Variables have different levels, which are often termed "conditions" in an experiment.
Example: Room temperature (hot, normal)
Example: Occupation (doctor, nurse, occupational therapist)

Types of Claims

Frequency claims describe a rate or degree of a single variable, usually supported by a survey or poll.
Example: A national survey reporting that 58% of teens texted or emailed while driving.
Association claims argue a level of one variable is likely associated with a particular level of another variable, involving at least two measured variables.
Example: Studies showing that more butter consumption correlates with happier citizens.
Causal claims indicate that one variable is responsible for changing another, going beyond an association and implying that one variable affects another.
Example: Studies that violent video games cause aggression.

Measuring & Manipulating Variables

Measured variables are simply observed and recorded; researchers take assessment of the level of a variable.
Example: Room temperature, number of people, gender.
Manipulated variables are controlled by the researcher, who assigns participants to different levels or conditions
Researchers create the levels and assign participants.
Example: Room temperature, light intensity, or type of music.

Operational Definitions

Operational definition specifies exactly how a concept is measured or manipulated in a study.
Example: Hunger rating in response to the question, "How hungry are you?" with a scale of 1 to 5.
It can be measured variables or manipulated

Four Types of Validity

Construct validity assesses how well a variable was measured or manipulated.
Example: In a study measuring anxiety, is the scale valid?
Statistical validity examines the accuracy and reasonableness of statistical conclusions.
Example: Is the margin of error of an estimate acceptable?
External validity concerns the extent to which results apply to other people and contexts.
Example: Do survey findings apply to broader populations?
Internal validity addresses alternative explanations for a causal relationship/experiment.
Example: Were alternative factors controlling the effects observed?

Prioritizing Validities

Choosing the most important validity depends upon the research's goals and priorities.
External validity is often prioritized in frequency claims.
Internal validity is prioritized in causal claims.
Construct and Statistical validity are important regardless of claim type.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of variables in research, including their definitions and classifications. You'll learn about qualitative and quantitative variables, along with examples of each type. Test your understanding of how various variables play a role in research!