Between-Subjects Experimental Design Quiz

TRUE/FALSE 1 : A between-subjects experiment comparing three treatments requires three separate groups of participants. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 2 : One characteristic of a between-subjects design is that the data consist of exactly one score for each participant. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 3 : A between-subjects experiment with 25 scores in treatment I and 25 scores in treatment II must have a total of 25 participants in the experiment. A : true B : false Correct Answer : B 4 : One advantage of a between-subjects design is that each score is completely independent of the other scores in the data. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 5 : An advantage of between-subjects designs is that they require fewer participants than are typically needed for within-subjects designs. A : true B : false Correct Answer : B 6 : In a between-subjects experimental design, individual differences can become a confounding variable. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 7 : In a between-subjects experiment, if the participants in one group are noticeably more intelligent than the participants in another group, then participant intelligence is a confounding variable and threatens the internal validity of the experiment. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 8 : Researchers use random assignment in an effort to create groups that are as similar as possible. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 9 : Random assignment guarantees that participant characteristics do not become a confounding variable. A : true B : false Correct Answer : B 10 : In a between-subjects experiment, increasing the variance within treatments increases the likelihood of finding significant differences between treatments. A : true B : false Correct Answer : B 11 : In a between-subjects experiment, one way to reduce the variance within treatments is to create more homogeneous groups by holding constant a participant characteristic such as age or gender. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 12 : For a between-subjects experiment, any factor that increases the variance within treatments also increases the likelihood of finding a significant difference between treatments. A : true B : false Correct Answer : B 13 : A disadvantage of holding a variable constant is that it limits an experiments external validity. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 14 : Holding a variable constant guarantees that the variable cannot become a confounding variable. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 15 : One advantage of holding a variable constant is that it can reduce variance within a group. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 16 : Using a small sample size can help minimize the problems with variance. A : true B : false Correct Answer : B 17 : Holding a participant variable constant has the double advantage of (1) preventing the variable from becoming a confounding variable and (2) reducing variance within groups. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 18 : Differential attrition can threaten the internal validity of a between-subjects experiment. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 19 : Validity is threatened in a between-subjects design when participants in one group have an opportunity to talk with participants in the other. A : true B : false Correct Answer : A 20 : In a between-subjects design, to compare proportions between groups, an independentmeasures t-test is appropriate. A : true B : false Correct Answer : B MULTIPLE CHOICE 21 : A design that compares different groups of scores obtained from separate groups of participants is a ____ design. A : single-subjects B : between-subjects C : within-subject D : matched groups Correct Answer : B 22 : An experiment that uses a different group of participants for each treatment condition is called a ____ design. A : single-subjects B : between-subjects C : within-subject D : matched groups Correct Answer : B 23 : A between-subjects design differs from a within-subjects design in that in a betweensubjects design, ____. A : only one group of participants is used B : only variables between the participants are examined C : there is a different group of participants for each treatment conditions D : each participant is exposed to each level of the independent variable Correct Answer : C 24 : In an experiment examining the effects of background noise on peoples ability to understand a verbal message, one group of participants is given a comprehension quiz after listening to a passage being read to them with no background noise. A week later, the same group of participants is given a comprehension quiz after listening to a passage being read to them with 60 decibels of conversation as background noise. This is an example of a ____ design. A : single-subjects B : between-subjects C : within-subjects D : matched groups Correct Answer : C 25 : In an experiment examining the effects of background noise on peoples ability to understand a verbal message, one group of participants is given a comprehension quiz after listening to a passage being read to them with no background noise. For comparison, a second group of participants is given a comprehension quiz after listening to a passage being read to them with 60 decibels of conversation as background noise. This is an example of a ____ design. A : single-subjects B : between-subjects C : within-subjects D : matched groups Correct Answer : B 26 : Which statement best characterizes a between-subjects experimental design? A : Participants are randomly selected from two different populations. B : Each participant is assigned to one condition of the experiment. C : Each participant is assigned to every condition of the experiment. D : Participants are assigned to a random number of conditions. Correct Answer : B 27 : In a between-subjects design, ____. A : only one score is obtained for each participant B : at least two scores are obtained for each participant C : one score is obtained for each treatment condition for each participant D : each score represents multiple participants Correct Answer : A 28 : A between-subjects experiment comparing four treatment conditions produces 20 scores in each treatment condition. How many scores were obtained for each participant? A:1 B:4 C : 20 D : 80 Correct Answer : A 29 : A between-subjects experiment comparing four treatment conditions produces 20 scores in each treatment condition. How many individuals participated in the entire experiment? A:1 B:4 C : 20 D : 80 Correct Answer : D 30 : If a between-subjects experiment produces 50 scores in treatment 1 and 50 scores in treatment 2, then the experiment must have employed ____. A : 25 participants B : 50 participants C : 100 participants D : 200 participants Correct Answer : C 31 : An advantage of a between-subject design is that ____. A : scores are influenced by practice effects B : scores are influenced by fatigue C : each score is independent of all the other scores D : they require large numbers of participants Correct Answer : C 32 : Compared to within-subjects designs, between-subjects designs require relatively ____. A : larger numbers of participants B : smaller numbers of participants C : less control of individual difference D : more concern for practice effects Correct Answer : A 33 : In a between-subjects experiment, when the process of assigning participants to the treatment conditions produces groups with different characteristics, the ____ of the study is threatened. A : internal validity B : external validity C : reliability D : accuracy Correct Answer : A 34 : If a between-subjects study explores the effect of caffeine on appetite by comparing the appetites of teenagers with no caffeine in their systems with middle-aged adults with 100 mg of caffeine in their system, the study is ________. A : fatigued B : confounded C : demoralized D : statistically significant Correct Answer : C 35 : In a between-subjects design, the separate groups must be as ____. A : similar in participant characteristics as possible B : different in all environmental variables as possible C : similar in treatment conditions as possible D : similar on the dependent variable measures as possible Correct Answer : A 36 : Why is random assignment used in between-subjects experimental designs? A : To hold participant characteristics constant B : To ensure a nonbiased sample C : To ensure anonymity of the research participants D : To eliminate systematic differences between the groups Correct Answer : D 37 : Because random assignment is likely to create groups of different sizes, researchers often employ ____. A : restricted random assignment B : matched random assignment C : simple random assignment D : sampling Correct Answer : A 38 : An advantage of holding a variable constant rather than using random assignment to form your groups is that holding a variable constant ____. A : reduces error due to participant differences B : is easier than randomization C : prevents confounding D : ensures a nonbiased sample Correct Answer : C 39 : If there are many individual differences that could confound your study, what is the best approach for creating equivalent groups in that case? A : Holding the variables constant B : Using random assignment C : Matching groups of participants D : Restricting the range of values for all extraneous variables Correct Answer : B 40 : A limitation of using matching rather than random assignment to form groups in a betweensubjects experiment is that matching ____. A : requires another level of work B : increases error due to participant differences C : requires at least twice as many participants D : increases the need for control groups Correct Answer : A 41 : Holding a participant characteristic (such as age or gender) constant strengthens ____ andweakens ____. A : internal validity; external validity B : external validity; internal validity C : reliability; validity D : accuracy; reliability Correct Answer : A 42 : Holding a variable constant prevents a participant characteristic from confounding a study by ____. A : eliminating variability in that characteristic B : reducing error C : ensuring a nonbiased sample D : increasing the differences between the groups Correct Answer : A 43 : In a between-subjects design, individual differences (participant variables) are a problem because they can ____. A : cause diffusion and attrition B : increase variability of the scores C : preclude the use of statistical analyses D : produce fatigue effects Correct Answer : B 44 : In a between-subjects design, large individual differences can produce ____. A : large between-treatment differences, making it easier to see real treatment effects B : small within-treatment variance, making it easier to see real treatment effects C : large within-treatment variance, making it difficult to see real treatment effects D : small between-treatment difference, making it difficult to see real treatment effects Correct Answer : C 45 : Researchers typically try to ____. A : increase the differences between treatments and decrease the variance within treatments B : decrease the differences between treatments and increase the variance within treatments C : increase the differences between treatments and increase the variance within treatments D : decrease the differences between treatments and decrease the variance within treatments Correct Answer : A 46 : Increasing variance within groups ____ the likelihood of finding a difference between the treatment conditions. A : increases B : decreases C : does not affect D : increases, then decreases Correct Answer : B 47 : Standardizing procedures, standardizing treatment settings, and limiting individual differences all have the effect of ____. A : reducing variance between treatments B : increasing variance within treatments C : increasing variance between treatments D : reducing variance within treatments Correct Answer : D 48 : Limiting individual differences is a way to ____. A : standardize procedures B : standardize treatment settings C : reduce the variance within treatments D : maximize the variance within treatments Correct Answer : C 49 : Compensatory equalization occurs when ____. A : an untreated group learns of the treatment received by another group and then works extra hard to show that they can perform just as well as individuals receiving the treatment B : an untreated group learns of the treatment received by another group and then demands the same treatment C : an untreated group learns of the treatment received by another group and then becomes less motivated D : participants withdraw from a research study before it is completed Correct Answer : B 50 : Which risk to a study exists whether or not participants in different groups are able to communicate with each other? A : Resentful demoralization B : Compensatory equalization C : Diffusion D : Differential attrition Correct Answer : D 51 : Differential attrition refers to ____. A : differences in one group of participants from another group B : differences in the number of withdrawals among experimental groups C : the spreading of treatment effects from the experimental to the control group D : the demands of the untreated group to receive equal treatment Correct Answer : B 52 : Resentful demoralization occurs when _____. A : an untreated group learns of the treatment received by another group and then becomes less motivated B : participants in an untreated group leave the study because they become bored with the treatment procedure or dont see it as effective C : participants in an untreated group are not allowed to communicate with participants in a treated group despite knowing each other well before the study D : an untreated group learns of the treatment received by another group and then works extra hard to show that they can perform just as well as individuals receiving the treatment Correct Answer : A 53 : Diffusion is a threat to the _____ of a study. A : variance B : external validity C : internal validity D : statistical significance Correct Answer : C 54 : The single-factor two-group design includes ____. A : only two levels of one independent variable B : a treatment and a control group C : two dependent variables D : multiple treatment and control groups Correct Answer : A 55 : What is the most common statistical analysis for a single-factor two-group design? A : ANOVA B : Independent-measures t-test C : Repeated-measures t-test D : Regression Correct Answer : B 56 : What is the most common statistical analysis for a single-factor multiple-group design? A : ANOVA B : Independent-measures t-test C : Repeated-measures t-test D : Regression Correct Answer : A 57 : When comparing means in a two-group design, which statistical analysis is most appropriate? A : Independent-measures t-test B : Repeated-measures t-test C : Single-factor analysis of variance D : Chi-square test for independence Correct Answer : A 58 : The primary limitation of a two-group design is that it ____. A : is extremely difficult to interpret B : decreases the chances of demonstrating a significant mean difference C : tends to reduce the differences between the groups D : may not provide a complete picture of the relationship between the variables Correct Answer : D 59 : When comparing means in a single-factor multiple group design, which statistical analysis is most appropriate? A : Independent-measures t-test B : Repeated-measures t-test C : Single-factor analysis of variance D : Chi-square test for independence Correct Answer : C 60 : A limitation of a single-factor multiple group design is that the ____. A : mean differences between the groups become smaller as more groups are used B : interpretation is too simplistic C : chances of demonstrating a significant mean difference are increased D : complete picture of the relationship between the variables cannot be seen Correct Answer : A ESSAY 61 : Describe the basic characteristics of a between-subjects experiment. Correct Answer : In a between-subjects experiment different groups of individuals are compared. A researcher manipulates the independent variable to create different treatment conditions. Each participant is exposed to only one level of the independent variable. A different group of participants is used for each level of the independent variable. 62 : Create an example of a between-subjects experiment. Identify the independent and dependent variables and briefly describe the experiment. Indicate the number of levels of the independent variable and identify them. Correct Answer : Student answers will vary but should all include a manipulated independent variable that creates two or more treatment conditions and a dependent variable that is measured in each treatment condition. To qualify as a between-subjects experiment, there must be a separate group of participants for each of the different treatment conditions. 63 : Describe the advantages and disadvantages of matching groups of participants in a between-subjects experiment. Correct Answer : The advantage of matching groups of participants in a between-subjects experiment is that it is a relatively easy way to ensure that specific variables do not become confounding variables. The disadvantages of matching include: a) the measurement procedure adds another level of work to the study, b) it can be difficult to match groups on several different variables simultaneously, c) groups cannot be matched on every single variable that might differentiate participants. 64 : Describe the advantages and disadvantages of holding a participant characteristic constant in a between-subjects experiment. Correct Answer : The advantage of holding a variable constant in a between-subjects experiment is that it is an effective way to prevent a variable from confounding a research study. However, the disadvantage is that by preventing the natural range of variation, the external validity of the research is limited. 65 : Describe some of the problems that can develop if participants from different treatment conditions have an opportunity to talk with each other during the course of the experiment. Correct Answer : If participants in a no-treatment condition talk with participants in a treatment condition they may learn about the treatment and adopt some of the treatment components. This leads to diffusion of treatment. If participants in an inferior condition learn about a superior treatment being received by others, they may demand equal treatment (compensatory equalization), they may become extra motivated to make up for the inferior treatment (compensatory rivalry), or they may give up in the face of a hopeless situation (resentful demoralization). 66 : Explain what differential attrition is and how it negatively affects an experiment. Correct Answer : Differential attrition refers to a phenomenon in which participants leave the different groups at different rates, which can mean that even groups that started off being very similar can end up being dissimilar. If the groups become dissimilar due to differential attrition, then individual differences can become a confounding variable and the internal validity of the study can be comprised. 67 : Explain the advantages and disadvantages of multiple-group designs. Correct Answer : Multiple-group designs reveal the full relationship between variables and also provide stronger evidence for a causal relationship between variables; however, multiple-group designs must be done with care because if you have too many groups, you risk minimizing the differences between treatments to the point that they are no longer significant.