RESEARCH METHODS EXAM #6 (CH. 1,2,3,4) QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
Independent Variable - correct answer whose variation does not depend on that of
another.
Dependent variable - correct answer whose value depends on that of another.
Extraneous variable - correct answer In an experiment, a variable other than the IV that
might cause unwanted changes in the DV.
Operationalize - correct answer to explain how you will measure a variable
Describe the characteristics of qualitative research? - correct answer seeks to
understand social or human issues and problems.
-seeks to develop a holistic pictures of these problems.
-creates its report with words, not statistics.
-uses the views of informants as the basis for its report
-conducted in natural setting.
Descriptive methods - correct answer research methods that do not involve the
manipulation of factors or variables by the researcher.
Correlational studies - correct answer A mathematical approach that studies the
strength of the relation between two factors or variables of interest.
Survey, questionnaires, tests, and inventories - correct answer an approach
researchers use to access attitudes, thoughts, emotions, and feelings.
Ex post facto studies - correct answer a study in which the variables to be studied are
selected after they have occured.
Hypothesis - correct answer attempts to state predicted relations among variables in a
selected portion of a theory.
Theory - correct answer formal statement of relations among variables in a particular
research area.
Research or experimental hypothesis - correct answer the experimenter's predicted
outcome of a to-be-conducted experiment.
Research design - correct answer specifies how the experimenter will select
participants, form groups, control extraneous variables, and gather data.
Research idea - correct answer -the starting point for the research project.
-identification of a gap in our current knowledge base.
, Nonsystematic sources - correct answer the idea simple appeared with little to no
forethought. Everyday occurrences are the major non-systematic sources of research
ideas.
Participants at minimal risk - correct answer participants in an experiment that does not
place them under physical or emotional risk
Plagiarism - correct answer the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and
passing them off as one's own.
Fabrication of data - correct answer those instances where the experimenter either
deliberately alters or creates research data
Debriefing session - correct answer the time at the conclusion of an experiment when its
nature and purpose are explained to participants
Institutional review board (IRB) - correct answer a committee responsible for ensuring
that research using human participants is conducted ethically
Serendipity - correct answer looking for one phenomenon but finding another.
Systematic sources - correct answer thoroughly examined, carefully thought-out
sources for research topics
Participants at risk - correct answer participants in an experiment that places them
under some type of physical or emotional risk
Confirmability - correct answer findings can be substantiated by participants
Dependability - correct answer the same result would be produced if the study were
replicated
Credibility - correct answer the accuracy of the identification and description of the
subject of the study.
Transferability - correct answer the results can be generalized to other settings and
groups.
Naturalistic observation - correct answer seeks answers to research questions by
observing behavior in the real world.
Ethnographic inquiry - correct answer is to learn about a culture or some aspect of a
culture from the perspective of the members of the culture.
SOLUTIONS
Independent Variable - correct answer whose variation does not depend on that of
another.
Dependent variable - correct answer whose value depends on that of another.
Extraneous variable - correct answer In an experiment, a variable other than the IV that
might cause unwanted changes in the DV.
Operationalize - correct answer to explain how you will measure a variable
Describe the characteristics of qualitative research? - correct answer seeks to
understand social or human issues and problems.
-seeks to develop a holistic pictures of these problems.
-creates its report with words, not statistics.
-uses the views of informants as the basis for its report
-conducted in natural setting.
Descriptive methods - correct answer research methods that do not involve the
manipulation of factors or variables by the researcher.
Correlational studies - correct answer A mathematical approach that studies the
strength of the relation between two factors or variables of interest.
Survey, questionnaires, tests, and inventories - correct answer an approach
researchers use to access attitudes, thoughts, emotions, and feelings.
Ex post facto studies - correct answer a study in which the variables to be studied are
selected after they have occured.
Hypothesis - correct answer attempts to state predicted relations among variables in a
selected portion of a theory.
Theory - correct answer formal statement of relations among variables in a particular
research area.
Research or experimental hypothesis - correct answer the experimenter's predicted
outcome of a to-be-conducted experiment.
Research design - correct answer specifies how the experimenter will select
participants, form groups, control extraneous variables, and gather data.
Research idea - correct answer -the starting point for the research project.
-identification of a gap in our current knowledge base.
, Nonsystematic sources - correct answer the idea simple appeared with little to no
forethought. Everyday occurrences are the major non-systematic sources of research
ideas.
Participants at minimal risk - correct answer participants in an experiment that does not
place them under physical or emotional risk
Plagiarism - correct answer the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and
passing them off as one's own.
Fabrication of data - correct answer those instances where the experimenter either
deliberately alters or creates research data
Debriefing session - correct answer the time at the conclusion of an experiment when its
nature and purpose are explained to participants
Institutional review board (IRB) - correct answer a committee responsible for ensuring
that research using human participants is conducted ethically
Serendipity - correct answer looking for one phenomenon but finding another.
Systematic sources - correct answer thoroughly examined, carefully thought-out
sources for research topics
Participants at risk - correct answer participants in an experiment that places them
under some type of physical or emotional risk
Confirmability - correct answer findings can be substantiated by participants
Dependability - correct answer the same result would be produced if the study were
replicated
Credibility - correct answer the accuracy of the identification and description of the
subject of the study.
Transferability - correct answer the results can be generalized to other settings and
groups.
Naturalistic observation - correct answer seeks answers to research questions by
observing behavior in the real world.
Ethnographic inquiry - correct answer is to learn about a culture or some aspect of a
culture from the perspective of the members of the culture.
