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Research and Program Evaluation
CPCE Exam Review Statistics
109
Other
Graduate
07/23/2012

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Cards

Term
What is the most valuable type of research?
Definition
The experiment, used to discover cause-and-effect relationships
Term
What are 2 "must haves" of an experiment?
Definition
The conditions of treatment must be controlled via the experimenter AND randomizations (random assignments) used in the groups.
Term
TRUE or FALSE? In a quasi-experiment, the reseracher uses pre-existing groups and the IV (independent variable) cannot be altered.
Definition
TRUE!
Term
What is the popular type of quasi-experiment that uses connotational study or research in which intact, pre-existing groups are used?
Definition
ex post facto study
Term
To what does internal validity in a study refer?
Definition
Whether the DV or dependent variables were truly influenced by the IV or independent variables.
Term
What is the difference between internal and external validity?
Definition
Internal validity is whether the DV was truly impacted by the IV. External validyt refers to whether results can be generalized to larger populations.
Term
What does parsimony mean in research?
Definition
Interpreting the results of experiments in the simplest way. In other words, the easiest and less complex explanation is the best.
Term
What does Occam's Razor suggest to experimenters?
Definition
Interpret the results in the simplest manner.  ** parsimony is often referred to as Occam Razor
Term
What are flaws in research aslo known as?
Definition
bubbles
Term
What type of research is always said to be confounded or flawed?
Definition
Correlational Research
Term
What APA journal publishes more counseling research articles than any periodical in our field?
Definition
Journal of Counseling Psychology
Term
When is an experiment said to be confounded or flawed?
Definition
when undesirable variables are not kept out of the experiment
Term
What is another name for a confounding variable?
Definition
contaminating variable
Term
What is the difference between basic research and applied research?
Definition
Basic research is conducted to advance our understanding of theory. Applied research is conducted to advance our knowledge of how theories, skills, and techniques can be used in practical application.
Term

What is the difference between the independent variable and the dependent variable?

 

Definition

The independent variable (IV) is manipulated or controlled by the researcher.  The dependent variable (DV) is the outcome or the data.

Here's a way to remember: independent start with "I".  Think, "I" control the independent variable and then we will see what the deal will be.  'Deal" and dependent both begin with "d".

Term
What is a causal comparative design?
Definition
a true experiment. 
Term
True or False? Data obtained from an causal comparative ex post facto design can be analyzed with a test of significance like a t test or ANOVA.
Definition
TRUE
Term
As a researcher, abiding by the code of ethics is critical. What are 6 things that need to be done to ensure ethical conduct in research?
Definition

1. Subjects are informed of any risks

2. Negative after effects will be removed or treated

3. Subjects are allowed to withdraw at any time

4. Confidentiality of the subjects is protected at all times

5. Report results will be presented accurately and honestly

6. You will use only techniques you are trained to use

Term
Who receives the IV or independent variable in an experiment: the control group or experimental group?
Definition
Experimental group
Term
If you CANNOT randomly assign the subjects to the two groups in an experiment, what is that experiment considered?
Definition
a quasi-experiment
Term
How many people do experts feel you need to conduct a true experiment?
Definition
30
Term
What is the minimal number of people needed to conduct a survey according to experts?
Definition
100
Term
Who pioneered hypothesis testing?
Definition
R.A. Fisher
Term
A ___________ is a statement which can be tested regarding the relationship of the IV and the DV.
Definition
hypothesis
Term
The ___________ means that the Iv does not affect the DV.
Definition
null hypothesis
Term
In order to compare a control group to an experimental group, the researcher will need what?
Definition
a test of significance to determine whether a difference in the groups scores is significant or just due to chance factors.
Term
What is another name for the research design where a t test is used to determine if a significant difference exists between two groups?
Definition
"two-groups" or "two-randomized-groups" research design
Term
When a research study uses different subjects for each condition, it is called a ____________.
Definition
"between-subjects design"
Term
When a research study uses the same subject in each condition, it is called a ______________.
Definition
"repeated-measures-comparison design"
Term
What does the letter P mean in relation to a test of significance?
Definition
probability or level of significance
Term
What has traditionally been the set P value in social science research?
Definition
0.05 (in other words, differences would occur via chance only 5 times out of 100)
Term
True or false?  Percentage scores and percentiles are the same thing.
Definition
FALSE!  Percentage scores are just another way to state the raw score.   Percentiles are descriptive statistics that tells a counselor what percentage of the cases fall above or below a certain level.
Term
What is the acceptable probability level in social sciences research?
Definition

0.05 or less

*0.05 and 0.01 are the two most popular levels of significance

Term
What can level of significance also be called?
Definition
level of confidence or confidence level
Term
The _________ the value of P the more stringent the level of significance.
Definition
smaller
Term
What is the difference between Type I (alpha) and Type II (beta) errors?
Definition
Type I (alpha) errors occur when the researcher rejects the null hypothesis when it is true. Type II (beta) errors occur when the researcher accpets the null hypothesis and it is false.
Term
What will raising the sample size do in regards to errors?
Definition
It will reduce Type I and Type II errors.
Term
When a researcher lowers the significance level (say from .05 to .001), what happens to the likelihood of Type I and type II errors?
Definition
Incidence of Type I errors decreases, BUT incidence of Type II errors increases.
Term
True of False?  In order to reject the null hypothesis, the computation based on the t value must exceed the number  cited in the table.
Definition
True
Term
What are the 8 major statistical tests used as tests of sginificance?
Definition

1. t test

2. ANOVA  (yields F statistic)

3. ANCOVA

4. Kruskal-Wallis

5. Wilcoxon signed rank test

6. Mann-Whitney U-Test

7. Spearman Correlation or Kendall's tau

8. Chi-square nonparametric test

Term
What is a statistic that indicates the degree or magnitude of relationship between two variables?
Definition
coreelation coefficient
Term
How is a correlation coefficient usually abbreviated?
Definition
lower case "r"
Term

True or False? If you have a r= 0.0, there is a strong relationship between the variables.

 

Definition
FALSE!  0.0 indicates no relationship while +1.0 or -1.0 indicates a perfect correlational relationship.
Term
A ___________ correlation is evident when both variables change in the same direction. A _________ correlation is evident when the variables are inversely associated.
Definition
Positive; negative
Term
What does biserial correlation mean?
Definition
One variable is continuous while the other is dichotomous.
Term
True or False?  Correlation implies causal.
Definition
False! A correlation does not mean that there is a cause and effect.  Correlational research is quasi-experimental  and does not yield cause and effect data.
Term
What theoretist often utilize N=1, meaning the number of persons being studied is 1 (also called intensive experimental design)
Definition
Behaviorists
Term
In intensive experimental design, what is the procedure for research?
Definition
The client's baseline dysfunctional overt (observable) behavior is measured, a treatment is implemented, and then the behavior is measured again.
Term
Why are case studies often misleading?
Definition
Results are not necessarily generalizable.
Term
What is the difference between a single-blind study and a double-blind study?
Definition
In a single-blind study, the sibjects do not know whether they are in the control group or experimental group, but the researcher does know this information. In a double blind study, the researcher nor the subjects know who is in what group.
Term
What are demand characteristics?
Definition
Cues or features of a study that suggest a certain outcome. Demand characteristics can occur if a subject is aware of being in the experimental group and then consciously or subconsciously confroms to expected results.
Term
How can experimenter effects confound an experiment?
Definition
The experimenter might unconsciously communicate his or her intent or expectations to the subjects.
Term
What is the simplest form of single-subject research that was intially made popular in the 1960-170's by behavior modifiers?
Definition
AB or ABA time-series design
Term

When a researcher employs more than one target behavior, he is using ____________ design.

(For instance, he measures anxiety and hostility both)

Definition
multiple-baseline
Term
What kind of data does Pearson Product-Moment r (Pearson r) use?
Definition
Interval and ratio
Term
What kind of data does Spearman rho correlation coefficient use?
Definition
ordinal
Term
In a normal bell curve, what happens to the mean, median, and mode?
Definition
They all fall precisely in the middle of the curve.
Term
A normal bell curve is also called what after an astronomer/mathematician?
Definition
Gaussian Curve
Term
Whast does the rule 68-95-99.7, also knoan as the empirical rule mean?
Definition
It means that in a given sample, 68% of the scores will fall plus/minus 1 SD of the mean, 95% of the scores within 2 SDs of the mean, and 99.7% of the scores within 3 SDs of the mean.  (In other words, almost all of the scores will fall within 3 SDs of the mean)
Term
What is the most frequently occuring score adn the least important measure of central tendency?
Definition
the mode
Term

True or False?

The modal score is the highest point on the bell curve.

Definition
TRUE
Term
Which is the same as the average: the median or the mean?
Definition
The mean
Term
 in normal distribution, what is the middle score called?
Definition
the median
Term
How do you compute the range of a normal distribution?
Definition

Subtract the lowest or smallest score from the highest or largest score.

Example: Highest score is 54 and lowest is 1. The range would be 53.

Term
If you have a skewed distribution, meaning that there is an extreme score difference, what measure of central tendency is most useful?
Definition
The median because extreme values can skew the average or the mean.
Term
What is the harmonic mean?
Definition

It is the reciprocal of the arithmetic mean. For example, computing a harmonic mean from scores of 2, 2, and 4 would require you to find the reciprocal of each score and then the mean.

1/2 + 1/2 + 1/4 = 1.25

1.25/3= .4166

Then, convert your answer to the reciprocal again to get 1/.4166 is the harmonic mean.

Term
True or False?  In a skewed distribution, the mean, median, and mode all fall at the same point.
Definition
FALSE!  The only time the mean, mode, and median are at the same point is in a normal curve. When a distribution is skewed, the mode, mean, and median are at different points and the left and right sides of the bell curve are NOT mirror images.
Term

What is the median of the following group of scores?

 

1, 6, 6, 8, 3, 10, 9, 12

 

*Remember: when you have an even number of scores, you will need to take the two middle or median scores and average them to get the median.

Definition

The median of this group of scores is 7.

 

The computation looks like this:

6 and 8 are the middle or median scores. So,

6 + 8 = 14

14/2= 7 (the arithmetic mean)

Term
If you want to "ferret" out the effects of more than one independent variable (IV), what kind of research design would you use?
Definition
A factorial design: Factorial designs include 2 or more IVs and the IVs are sometimes called levels.
Term
What is the research design in which there are 2 research control groups and 2 experimental groups in which one control group and one experimental group are pretested?
Definition

Solomon four-group design created by Richard Solomon;

The control and experimental group that did not pretest are merely post-tested and then the groups are compared.

Term
Regardless of the shape, what will always be the highest point on a distribution displayed graphically?
Definition
The mode because it is the point where the most frequently occuring score falls.
Term
When looking at a graphic of a distribution or bell curve, how can you tell if it is positively or negatively skewed?
Definition
The tail of the bell curve will be to the right of the highest point if it is positively skewed and the tail of the bell curve will be to the left of the highest point if it is negatively skewed.
Term
What is the benefit of standard scores (like percentiles, t-sc0res, z-scores, stanines, or SD) over raw scores?
Definition
A standard score allows you to look at the data in relation to the properties of the normal bell curve.  A raw score tells you nothing.
Term
What is a horizontal line drawn under a frequency distribution called?
Definition
the x axis
Term
The x axis is also known as the ________.
Definition
abscissa
Term
The x axis is used to plot the ________ and the y axis is used to plot the __________.
Definition
IV scores; frequency of the DV
Term
The y axis is also called the __________.
Definition
ordinate
Term
If a distribution ends up being bimodal, what is the likely reason?
Definition

The researcher is working with two distinct populations.

 

Term
What is the term used to describe an experiment that can be replicated by others with almost identical findings or results?
Definition
reliable
Term

What would the range or measure of variance be for this group of scores:

 

42, 50, 53, 75, 82, 85

Definition

The range or measure of variance would be 43 (or on some exams 44)

 

Compute the range by taking the highest score and subtracting the lowest score    85-42 = 43.  Some statistics books and tests have you subtract and then add 1 to your answer to get the Inclusive range.  If it asked for the exclusive range, do not add 1 to your answer!!

Term
What is the John Henry Effect?
Definition
A threat to internal validity of an experiment that occurs when subject strive to prove that an experiemtnal treatment that could threaten their livelihood really isn't all that effective.  (this is also called the compensatory rivalry of a comparison group)
Term
What is the control group phenomenon that threatens internal validity due to members of the control group lowering performance because they have been denied the experimental treatment?
Definition
Resentful Demoralization of the Comparison Group
Term
What happen to the range of scores of individuals with an increase in the number of individuals?
Definition
The range generally increases with an increase in sample size.
Term
True or false?  A z score of +1 would be the same as one SD above the mean.
Definition
TRUE! A zcores are the same as standard deviations.  Remember: Z scores are often called standard scores
Term
T scores use a mean of _______ with a SD of _______.
Definition

50; SD of 10

Term
What does a platykurtic distribution look like?
Definition
It is flatter and more spread out than a normal bell curve. Remember "plat" sounds like "flat".
Term
What is a distribution curve that is tall, then, and peaked called?
Definition

a leptokurtic distribution

 

Remember: Tall and skiiny is like a skyscraper. One would have leapt over a tall building to jump over it.

Term
What is the average or standard score on the Binet IQ test?
Definition
100
Term
What are the 4 basic measurement scales?
Definition

1. nominal

2. ordinal

3. interval

4. ratio

Term
What is the simplest measurement scale that does not provide measurable information, but  merely classifies or names a group?
Definition
Nominal
Term

True or false?

A nominal scale has no true zero point and does not indicate order.

Definition
TRUE!
Term
What measurement scale is used if you rank an individual in first, second, or third place?
Definition
ordinal
Term
What category of measurement scale do most school tests fall into?
Definition
interval
Term
What is an interval scale with a true zero point called?
Definition
ratio scale
Term
If a researcher uses the approach of naturalistic observation, what does he or she do to the independent variable?
Definition
Nothing. In naturalistic observation, the researcher doesn't manipulate or control any variables.
Term
What is the simplest form of descriptive research?
Definition
The survey
Term
What does the required return rate of a survey need to be to be considered accurate?
Definition
50-75%
Term
What are 3 problems with using surveys for research?
Definition

1. Poor Construction of the Instrument

2. A low return rate

3. Subjects are not picked at random

Term
What is the term used to describe the situation where if subjects know they are part of an experiment or are given more attention because of the experiment, their performance sometimes improves?
Definition
The Hawthorne Effect
Term
What is the term used to describe when an experimenter's beliefs about the individual causes the individual to be treated in a special way so that that individual begins to fulfill the experimenter's expectations?
Definition

The Rosenthal Effect

Remember: School Teacher story where she is told that certain students will excel based on testing results that did not actually happen. Because of her attitude toward those students, they did excel.

Term
What is it called when the observer has perceptions regarding the research that are not accurate?
Definition
observer bias
Term
What is said to occur when a trait which is not being evaluated, such as attractiveness or popularity, influences a researcher's rating on another trait?
Definition
The Halo Effect
Term
What is the analysis of covariance or ANCOVA?
Definition
It is used to test a null hypothesis regarding the means of two or more groups AFTER the random samples are adjusted to elimante average differences.
Term
What is a cohort study?
Definition
A study that examines people who were born at the same time, shared an event, etc. in regard to a given characterstic.
Term
The WAIS-III Iq test is given to 100 adults. How many of these individuals will likely score between 85-115?
Definition

68

Rationale: The mean or average of the WAIS-III is 100 with a SD of 15.  In a normal bell curve, 68% of the scores will fall within 1SD of the mean.

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