Chapter 2: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research PDF

Krause, Corts, Dolderman, Smith, Psychological Science, Canadian Edition, Chapter 2: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research 1) Good scientific research is based on measurements that are objective, valid, and reliable. a. True b. False Correct: Objective measurements are the found...

Krause, Corts, Dolderman, Smith, Psychological Science, Canadian Edition, Chapter 2: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research 1) Good scientific research is based on measurements that are objective, valid, and reliable. a. True b. False Correct: Objective measurements are the foundation of the scientific method. In addition to objectivity, measurements should be valid (actually measure what they are supposed to measure), and reliable (provide consistent answers if remeasured). Answer: a Page Reference: 32 2) If someone takes an intelligence test several times and receives the same score, the test has high validity. a. True b. False Correct: The test in the example has reliability, but not necessarily validity. Validity is the degree to which an instrument or procedure actually measures what it claims to measure. If the score the person keeps receiving does not reflect his or her actual intelligence, then the test has low validity. Answer: b Page Reference: 32–34 3) Using random sampling increases the likelihood that the results from studying a sample will generalize to the population. a. True b. False Correct: In order for a sample to generalize to a population, psychologists prefer to use random sampling whenever possible. Answer: a Page Reference: 35 4) In a double-blind experiment, neither the participant nor the researcher knows which treatment group the participant is in. a. True b. False Correct: Statement of fact. Answer: a Page Reference: 39 Copyright © 2015 Pearson Canada Inc. Page 1 of 4  Krause, Corts, Dolderman, Smith, Psychological Science, Canadian Edition, Chapter 2: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research 5) Once the results of a study have been peer reviewed and published they are considered accurate, even if other researchers cannot replicate them. a. True b. False Correct: Replicating studies is an important component of the scientific method and helps to identify and correct flawed research. Results that cannot be replicated are eventually abandoned. Answer: b Page Reference: 40 6) Surveys and questionnaires are used to collect self-report data. a. True b. False Correct: Surveys and questionnaires come in many different forms, but all of them rely on participants to speak for themselves and make their own observations. Answer: a Page Reference: 48 7) A correlation of –.80 is a stronger relationship than a correlation of +.50. a. True b. False Correct: The closer the absolute value of a correlation coefficient is to 1.0, the stronger the relationship. The positive and negative signs indicate the direction of the correlation, not its strength. Answer: a Page Reference: 50 8) If a group of researchers find that the number of books fifth grade students read is positively correlated with their scores on an intelligence test, it would be correct to conclude that having children read more increases their intelligence. a. True b. False Correct: Correlation is not a measure of causality. Being intelligent might cause children to read more, or a third variable like parenting style might affect both intelligence and reading. Copyright © 2015 Pearson Canada Inc. Page 2 of 4  Krause, Corts, Dolderman, Smith, Psychological Science, Canadian Edition, Chapter 2: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research Answer: b Page Reference: 49–50 9) Pedro designs an experiment to test whether drinking a protein shake after weightlifting increases muscle development. The independent variable in his experiment is the protein shake. a. True b. False Correct: The independent variable is the variable that the experimenter manipulates to distinguish between the groups. In this experiment, one group of participants would receive the protein drink while the other would not. Pedro would then measure the muscle development (dependent variable) in each group to determine if the independent variable had an effect. Answer: a Page Reference: 52 10) Asking participants to write about upsetting or traumatic experiences puts them at risk for cognitive and emotional stress. a. True b. False Correct: Physical risks are rare in psychological research. More common are measures that involve possible cognitive and emotional stress. While the amount of risk is most likely small, writing about upsetting or traumatic experiences can cause stress. Answer: a Page Reference: 56 11) Researchers are not allowed to deceive participants about the purpose of the study. a. True b. False Correct: Sometimes it is necessary to use deception in psychological research. In these situations, the potential harm caused by the deception must be weighed against the potential benefits of the research. Answer: b Page Reference: 57 12) The right to give informed consent stays with a volunteer throughout the entire study, and they should be able to withdraw at any point. Copyright © 2015 Pearson Canada Inc. Page 3 of 4  Krause, Corts, Dolderman, Smith, Psychological Science, Canadian Edition, Chapter 2: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research a. True Correct: This is one of the key elements of modern psychology research. b. False Answer: a Page Reference: 57–58 13) Researchers must give participants total anonymity. a. True b. False Correct: Anonymity means that the data collected during a research study cannot be connected to individual participants. Sometimes this is not possible. In these cases, confidentiality is a reasonable substitute. Answer: b Page Reference: 58 Copyright © 2015 Pearson Canada Inc. Page 4 of 4