PSYC 2013
Research Design & Analysis 1
Dr. P. McLeod
October 6, 1999
FIRST MIDTERM EXAM ANSWER KEY
Name:
Student number:
Part A. Multiple Choice (1 point each, total =22 42%)
Answer all questions on the scanner form provided. Use pencil and
erase any changed answers thoroughly. Choose the best answer for
each question. Read questions carefully and please check that you
have transferred your answers accurately.
1. Scientific explanations are
A) empirical.
B) rational.
C) testable.
D) all of the above
2. Explanation A makes
Explanation B makes
is true?
A) Explanation A
B) Explanation B
C) Explanation A
D) Explanation B
four assumptions about behavior, whereas
three assumptions. Which of the following
is
is
is
is
more
more
more
more
parsimonious than Explanation B.
parsimonious than Explanation A.
testable than Explanation B.
empirical than Explanation A.
3. We can usually have more confidence in scientific explanations
than commonsense explanations because
A) testing a scientific explanation rules out alternative
explanations for observed behavior.
B) our intuition about the causes of behavior is usually
correct and requires little, if any, empirical testing.
C) commonsense explanations are always wrong.
D) all of the above
4. The method of authority
A) has no place in scientific inquiry.
B) is useful in the early stages of scientific inquiry.
C) is not a valid way of acquiring information.
D) can be used as a substitute for the scientific method.
5. You are hired by a local company to do research on improving
employee morale. The research you conduct would best be
classified as
A) basic research.
B) applied research.
C) problem-oriented research.
D) none of the above
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6. A ________ source contains original research reports.
A) primary
B) secondary
C) germinal
D) premier
7. If the policy of a journal is to send articles out for review
prior to publication, that journal is a(n) ________ journal.
A) nonrefereed
B) refereed
C) reviewed
D) APA
8. In the introduction of a paper, you can expect to find
A) details of methodology.
B) a brief overview of the methods used and results.
C) a general introduction to the area under investigation
and a literature review.
D) all of the above
9. When evaluating a results section, you should determine whether
the
A) results are important.
B) results fit with your feelings about the phenomenon under
investigation.
C) appropriate statistics were applied.
D) results agree with the particular theory to which you
subscribe.
10. According to the text, the two defining characteristics of
experimental research are
A) measuring two or more variables and determining whether
they covary.
B) manipulating an independent variable and controlling
extraneous variables.
C) randomly assigning subjects to conditions and
manipulating an independent variable.
D) none of the above
11. If a causal relationship exists between variables, then
A) the value of your independent variable will depend, in
part, on the value of your dependent variable.
B) the value of your dependent variable will depend, in
part, on the value of your independent variable.
C) there will be no strong relationship between your
independent and dependent variables.
D) none of the above will be true.
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12. In a simple two-group experiment, the group of subjects not
receiving the treatment is called the ________ group.
A) demonstration
B) treated
C) control
D) experimental
13. A(n) ________ variable is a variable that may affect the
behavior you are investigating but is not of interest to you.
A) independent
B) control
C) correlational
D) extraneous
14. A weakness of the experimental strategy is that
A) causal relationships cannot be discovered.
B) extraneous variables cannot be controlled.
C) experiments can be done only in the laboratory.
D) tight control over extraneous variables may limit the
generality of your results.
15. The third-variable problem means that
A) a correlational study with fewer than three variables is
invalid.
B) if two predictor variables are shown to be important
predictors of the value of the criterion variable, then
there is probably a third important predictor variable as
well.
C) in a correlational study there may be a third, unmeasured
variable that actually causes changes in the other
variables.
D) none of the above
16. Although tight control over experimental conditions gives you
high levels of ________, it may result in low levels of
________.
A) internal validity; external validity
B) external validity; internal validity
C) reliability; validity
D) validity; reliability
17. The degree to which your simulation mirrors real-world events
is referred to as ________ realism.
A) mundane
B) experimental
C) maudlin
D) coincidental
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18. A measure can be
A) reliable but inaccurate.
B) invalid but reliable.
C) unreliable and accurate.
D) both a and b
19. Post and Crowther (1985) studied the variables that
discriminate bulimic from nonbulimic girls. The categorization
of girls as bulimic or nonbulimic constitutes a(n)
___ scale of measurement.
A) interval
B) ordinal
C) ratio
D) nominal
20. You conduct an experiment to contrast two study techniques.
After participants either "cram" or spread studying out, you
give them a test of comprehension. You find that your test was
too easy--everyone in your experiment got 100 percent correct.
You have
A) an insensitive measure.
B) encountered a floor effect.
C) encountered a ceiling effect.
D) an invalid measure.
21. "Cues provided by the research context and researcher about
the purposes of a study" is a definition of
A) experimenter bias.
B) role attitude cues.
C) volunteer bias.
D) demand characteristics.
22. ________ are used in an experiment, along with your dependent
variables, to test whether or not your independent variable
had its intended effect.
A) Pilot studies
B) Manipulation checks
C) Quasi-variables
D) Matching variables
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Part B. Problem Solving Questions. (points as indicated, total=18
35%) Answer in the spaces provided, if extra space is needed (it
shouldn't be unless you write big) use the back page. Point form
is fine, as long as all the relevant points are included!
1. A social psychologist interested in the effects of alcohol abuse
conducted the following study. He mailed questionnaires to the
homes of workers who had been laid off from a local automobile
plant. The surveys were mailed at various time intervals and
the workers were asked to fill them out anonymously and return
them. Information about the amount of alcohol consumption
before and after the layoff was obtained. Fifty percent of the
surveys were completed and returned during the course of the
research. The researcher found a very high positive correlation
between alcohol consumption and duration of unemployment. In
his report the researcher stated that, "the conditions of
unemployment produced a tendency for people to increase their
intake of alcohol."
What problems, if any, do you see with these data and the
interpretation made of them? (2 pts)

Because the researcher received replies from only half of the
subject pool, the responses may not be reliable, and they may
not be representative of the population. E.g., the people who
do not drink might be uncooperative, which would make the sample
biased. [Key here is recognition of possible sample problems.]
 The statement that unemployment produces an increase in
alcoholic consumption is much too strong. We do not have the
internal validity to make such a statement. It could be that
excessive "leisure time" allowed the workers to have more time
to indulge in alcohol. [Key here is shouldn't interpret
causation from a correlational design]
1 point for each of the above
What, if anything, might be done to increase the validity of this
study? (2 pts)

The researcher probably could have examined similar workers who
had not been laid off as a comparison to the unemployed.
 Or, the researcher could wait until some workers had been
rehired to examine consumption before, during, and after
unemployment. Both of the last two procedures are quasiexperimental and would enhance the internal validity of the
procedure.
2 points for anything that recognizes need for more data or
another comparison.]
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Read the following edited and annotated abstract and answer
the following questions. [based on: Kowatch et al. (1999) A SPECT HMPAO
study of regional cerebral blood flow in depressed adolescents and normal controls.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. 23(4): 643-656]
Seven adolescent patients (aged 13-18 years) with symptomatic
major depressive disorder (MDD) and 7 age- and gender-matched
normal controls underwent single photon emission computed
tomography imaging [PET scanning] … while unmedicated and in a
resting state. Ss [subjects] and parents were interviewed with
child and parent versions of the revised Diagnostic Inventory
for Children and Adolescents and diagnosed according to Mental
Disorders-III-Revised (DSM-III-R) criteria. … The authors found
relative regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) increases in
depressed Ss as compared with normals in [some areas of the
brain]. They found rCBF decreases in the depressed Ss as
compared to normals in [other areas of the brain]. Adolescents
with MDD show rCBF abnormalities similar to those found in adult
MDD rCBF studies.
State the most likely null hypothesis for this study. (1 pt)
H0 There will be no difference in regional cerebral blood flow
(rCBF) between adolescents with major depressive disorder
(MDD) and those without.
What was the independent variable? (1 pt)
Depression [Presense/absence of major depressive disorder (MDD)]
Was it a true independent variable, or a quasi-independent
variable? (1 pt)
quasi-independent
How many levels did it have? (1 pt) Two
What was the dependent variable? (1 pt)
regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)
What ethical considerations would this study would raise with an
ethics board using current NCEHR guidelines? (2 pts)

This study involves a vulnerable population (depressed
adolescents) who
 may not be able to give fully informed consent
 Costs/benefits of the study -- participants are being exposed to
an invasive procedure - PET scanning with injections of
radioactive chemicals, potential benefits are basic knowledge
1 pt each for any reasonable ethical concern (to max of 2)
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3. You are interested in the suggestion that people get edgy and
aggressive on very hot and humid days. Very briefly (1-2
sentences) explain how you might study this question using each
of the following methods. (3 pts total, 1 pt each)
a) archival research

Examine statistics on aggressive crimes and relate to archival
weather information - etc.
b) survey research

Have people keep diaries or notes on mood and weather -etc.
c) naturalistic observations

4.






Observe people waiting in line ups (or driving in congested
areas) on both hot humid days and cooler dryers days and record
number of complaints (horn honking / letting other cars in
line).
etc
You are interested in the possible effects of having been
abused as a child on adult relationships. You plan to have
introductory psychology students fill out several self-report
questionnaires indicating any abuse they had experienced as
children, some personality measures, and questions about their
current (or most recent) relationship including any abusive
behaviour they or their partner have engaged in. Identify two
distinct ethical issues that you would have to consider before
doing this study. For each, indicate how the possible ethical
problems might be minimized. (4 pts)
It could be traumatic for the participants to recall the
incidents of their childhood abuse.
You would want to make certain they knew about their freedom to
withdraw and you would want to watch for signs of people getting
upset.
It would be important to keep this very personal information
confidential
Best to use anonymous questionnaires to ensure confidentiality
If information about abuse comes out, you may be obliged by law
to reveal this
the participants would have to be told of this possibility ahead
of time.

1 pt for each of two that are identified, another point for any
reasonable solution
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Part C. Short Answer Questions. (points as indicated,
total=1223%) Answer in the spaces provided, if extra space is
needed use the back page. Point form is fine…
1. Compare and contrast the validity, accuracy, and reliability of
a measure. (3 pts)
All are aspects of the quality of a measure, but differ in that:
Accuracy refers to the extent to which a measure agrees with a
known standard?
Reliability refers to the consistency (replicability) of the
measure (across time, situations, and/or observers)
Validity is the extent to which it measures what it is supposed to
1 pt for each definition - compare and contrast part not essential
2. Compare and contrast the internal, external, and ecological
validity, of an experiment. (3 pts)
All are aspects of the applicability, usefulness or quality of the
experiment but differ in that:
Internal validity: the ability of your research design to
adequately test your hypothesis
External validity: the degree to which the results of your
research can be extended beyond the research setting and
sample used.
Ecological validity is a specific type of external validity m- the
extent to which experimental results generalize to the
natural (real-life) context in which the phenomena occurs.
1 pt for each definition - compare and contrast part not essential
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3. How is "minimal risk" defined in the National Council on Ethics
in Human Research (NCEHR) guidelines? (2 pts)
Minimal Risk “… if potential subjects can reasonably be expected
to regard the probability and magnitude of possible harms implied
by participation in the research to be no greater than those
encountered by the subject in those aspects of his or her everyday
life that relate to the research then the research can be regarded
as within the range of minimal risk.”
Key part of definition: no greater risk than encountered by the
subject in his or her everyday life
-- an exact quote is not expected or required
4. What are the eight guiding ethical principals by which research
ethics boards evaluate the ethicality of a research proposal
using the National Council on Ethics in Human Research (NCEHR)
guidelines? (4 pts)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Respect for Human Dignity:
Respect for Free and Informed Consent:
Respect for Vulnerable Persons:
Respect for Privacy and Confidentiality:
Respect for Justice and Inclusiveness:
Balancing Harms and Benefits:
Minimizing Harm:
Maximizing Benefit:
.5 point each -- don't need the exact phrasing but should have the
key concept (E.g., just the words "Human Dignity" would be OK)