LSP Research Methods & Statistics

Question 1

What is the difference between a correlational study and an experimental study?

Accepted Answer

Correlational studies measure relationships between variables without manipulation; experimental studies manipulate an independent variable to determine causation

Answer

They are identical in design

Answer

Correlational studies are always more rigorous

Answer

Experimental studies never use statistical analysis

Question 2

What is a p-value in statistical analysis?

Accepted Answer

The probability of obtaining results at least as extreme as those observed, assuming the null hypothesis is true

Answer

The percentage of participants who completed the study

Answer

The power of the statistical test

Answer

The proportion of variance explained

Question 3

What is random assignment and why is it important in experiments?

Accepted Answer

Randomly placing participants into experimental and control groups to ensure groups are equivalent at baseline

Answer

Choosing participants randomly from the population

Answer

Assigning random numbers to data points

Answer

Randomizing the order of test questions

Question 4

What is the difference between Type I and Type II errors?

Accepted Answer

Type I is rejecting a true null hypothesis (false positive); Type II is failing to reject a false null hypothesis (false negative)

Answer

They are the same error

Answer

Type I errors are more serious than Type II errors in all cases

Answer

These errors only occur in correlational research

Question 5

What is a meta-analysis?

Accepted Answer

A statistical technique that combines results from multiple studies to derive an overall effect size

Answer

A single large-scale experiment

Answer

A type of qualitative research

Answer

A method of analyzing individual case studies

Question 6

What is informed consent in research?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring participants understand the study's purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and their right to withdraw before agreeing to participate

Answer

Getting participants to sign any form

Answer

Informing participants of results after the study

Answer

Obtaining consent from the participant's employer