Research Methods In Psychology Evaluating A World Of Information 2nd Edition By Beth Morling – Test Bank

CHAPTER 11: MORE ON EXPERIMENTS: CONFOUNDING AND OBSCURING VARIABLES

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. When interrogating experiments, on which of the big validities should a person focus?
a. Internal validity c. Construct validity
b. External validity d. Statistical validity

ANS: A DIF: Easy
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?
OBJ: Learning Objective 1 MSC: Remembering

2. Which of the following cannot be found in a one-group, pretest/posttest design?
a. A random sample c. A comparison group
b. A valid measure d. A manipulation

ANS: C DIF: Medium
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?: The Really Bad Experiment (A Cautionary Tale) OBJ: Learning Objective 3
MSC: Remembering

3. Spontaneous remission in clinical studies is an example of which of the following threats to internal validity?
a. Regression c. Maturation
b. Attrition d. Placebo effects

ANS: C DIF: Medium
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?: Six Potential Internal Validity Threats in One-Group, Pretest/Posttest Designs
OBJ: Learning Objective 2 MSC: Remembering

4. The addition of a comparison group can address all of the following threats to internal validity EXCEPT:
a. History c. Regression
b. Maturation d. Attrition

ANS: D DIF: Medium
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?: Six Potential Internal Validity Threats in One-Group, Pretest/Posttest Designs
OBJ: Learning Objective 3 MSC: Remembering

5. Which of the following threats to internal validity CANNOT occur in just any study?
a. Observer bias c. Placebo effects
b. History threats d. Demand characteristics

ANS: B DIF: Medium
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?: Three Potential Internal Validity Threats in Any Experiment OBJ: Learning Objective 2
MSC: Remembering

6. To be a history threat, the external event must occur:
a. Constantly during the experiment
b. At the beginning of the experiment
c. Systematically, affecting most members of the group
d. Intentionally, affecting most members of the group

ANS: C DIF: Difficult
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?: Six Potential Internal Validity Threats inOne-Group, Pretest/Posttest Designs: History Threats to Internal Validity OBJ: Learning Objective 2 MSC: Remembering

7. Regression is especially problematic in which of the following situations?
a. When the experimental and comparison groups are equal at posttest
b. When one group has an extremely high score at pretest
c. When the experimental and comparison groups are equal at pretest
d. When one group has an extremely low score at posttest

ANS: B DIF: Difficult
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?: Six Potential Internal Validity Threats inOne-Group, Pretest/Posttest Designs: Regression Threats to Internal Validity OBJ: Learning Objective 2 MSC: Remembering

8. Which of the following is NOT a method researchers used to identify or correct for attrition?
a. Drop the original/pretest scores of participants who left the study
b. Not allow participants to leave a study once it has started
c. Determine whether those who dropped out of the study had a different pattern of scores than those who stayed in the study
d. Use a control group

ANS: B DIF: Medium
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?: Six Potential Internal Validity Threats inOne-Group, Pretest/Posttest Designs: Attrition Threats to Internal Validity OBJ: Learning Objective 2 MSC: Remembering

9. Which of the following is NOT true of testing effects?
a. It can be prevented by use of a control group.
b. It can lead to increased/higher scores.
c. It can lead to decreased/lower scores.
d. It can sensitize people to being tested.

ANS: A DIF: Medium
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?: Six Potential Internal Validity Threats inOne-Group, Pretest/Posttest Designs: Testing Threats to Internal Validity OBJ: Learning Objective 2 MSC: Remembering

10. Dr. Whetstone is curious about how self-esteem changes as a result of a new counseling program. She is concerned about testing threats in her study. Which of the following would you NOT recommend to her as a way to address this type of threat?
a. Collecting pretest data twice
b. Conducting a posttest-only study
c. Using a different measure of self-esteem at pretest than at posttest
d. Using a comparison group

ANS: A DIF: Medium
REF: Threats to Internal Validity: Did the Independent Variable Really Cause the Difference?: Six Potential Internal Validity Threats inOne-Group, Pretest/Posttest Designs: Testing Threats to Internal Validity OBJ: Learning Objective 2 MSC: Applying