Test -Bank -for-Research -Methods -in-
Psychology -10th -Edition -by-Shaughnessy Full file at http://testbankassistant.CH/Test-Bank-for-Research-Methods-
in-Psychology-10th-Edition-by-Shaughnessy
Chapter 02
The Scientific Method Short Answer Questions 1. (p. 29-31) How is the empirical approach that is used in the scientific method different from a nonscientific (everyday) approach to knowledge? The empirical approach involves the use of evidence based on direct observation and experimentation to determine what is true. A nonscientific (everyday) approach relies primarily on intuition and casual (unsystematic) observation to decide what is true. Level: Factual 2. (p. 38) Distinguish between the reliability and the validity of a measurement and provide an example of a reliable measurement that may not be valid. The reliability of a measure is indicated by its consistency; for example, when observers agree
in their observations, the measurement is said to be reliable. Validity refers to the truthfulness of a measure—a valid measure of a construct measures what it claims to measure. An example of a reliable measure that may not be valid is a scale that provides the same weight each time a person steps on it, but is five pounds off. Another example is from research which
indicates that raters agree on their ratings of trustworthiness when judging photos of individuals (reliability), but those ratings were unrelated to whether students cheated on a test (not valid). Level: Factual full file at http://testbankassistant.com Full file at http://testbankassistant.CH/Test-Bank-for-Research-Methods-
in-Psychology-10th-Edition-by-Shaughnessy
3. (p. 42-44) Distinguish between the nomothetic approach and the idiographic approach in descriptions of psychological phenomena. The nomothetic approach is used to seek broad generalizations and universal laws (i.e., what "in general" is true) by studying large numbers of participants of a group and focusing on the "average" performance of the group. The idiographic approach is used to focus on the uniqueness of the individual by studying an individual intensively using single-case research. Level: Factual 4. (p. 47-48) Explain how an experiment is used to understand the cause of a phenomenon by describing the three conditions for causal inference an experiment meets. Researchers conduct an experiment when they manipulate an independent variable and observe the effects of the manipulation on a dependent variable measure. When differences on
the dependent variable are observed for the conditions of the independent variable, covariation is met (i.e., different scores on the dependent variable covary with different conditions of the independent variable). In addition, because differences on the dependent variable are observed after the independent variable manipulation, the second condition for causal inference-time-order relationship-is met. When the experiment is free of confoundings the researcher is able to eliminate alternative explanations for the outcome, the third condition
for causal inference. Level: Conceptual 5. (p. 49) Describe the differences between basic and applied research. In basic research the research psychologist seeks primarily to understand behavior and mental processes. Basic research is typically carried out in a laboratory using controlled experiments and is usually done with the goal of testing a theory about behavior. It is, in a sense, "seeking knowledge for its own sake." Applied research is conducted in order to improve people's lives and often is carried out in nonlaboratory settings (e.g., schools, workplaces). Applied research
often builds upon findings from basic research; these findings are applied in natural settings with the scientific goal of creating change. Level: Factual full file at http://testbankassistant.com Full file at http://testbankassistant.CH/Test-Bank-for-Research-Methods-
in-Psychology-10th-Edition-by-Shaughnessy
Multiple Choice Questions 6. (p. 29) People's tendency to select news programs that do not challenge their attitudes or beliefs is explained by A. hypothesis testing.
B. confirmation bias.
C. controlled observation.
D. a skeptical attitude. Level: Applied 7. (p. 29) Which of the following is a cognitive error that can cause confirmation bias because we perceive a relationship when none exists? A. subjective reporting
B. covariation of cause and effect
C. spurious relationship
D. illusory correlation Level: Factual 8. (p. 30) The empirical approach emphasizes A. direct observation and experimentation.
B. intuition and skepticism.
C. reliability and confirmation.
D. control and qualitative analysis. Level: Factual full file at http://testbankassistant.com
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