,Liberty University PSYC 354 Quiz 1 | Statistics for the
Social Sciences (2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of descriptive statistics in social
science research?
A) To determine the probability that a hypothesis is true
B) To organize, summarize, and communicate a group of numerical observations
C) To generalize findings from a sample to a larger population
D) To establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables
Correct Answer: To organize, summarize, and communicate a group of numerical
observations
Rationale: Descriptive statistics are procedures used to summarize, organize, and make sense
of a set of scores or observations. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the
measures, such as measures of central tendency and variability. Inferential statistics, in
contrast, are used to generalize from a sample to a population.
2. A researcher collects data on the number of hours students study per week. Which of the
following best describes this variable?
A) A continuous variable
B) A discrete variable
C) A constant variable
D) A nominal variable
Correct Answer: A discrete variable
Rationale: A discrete variable is one that can take on only specific, distinct values, often
whole numbers. The number of hours studied can be counted in whole units (e.g., 1, 2, 3
hours), making it discrete. Continuous variables can take on any value within a range, such as
height or weight.
,3. In a study examining the relationship between sleep deprivation and reaction time, the
researcher manipulates the amount of sleep participants get and measures their reaction time.
Which is the independent variable?
A) Reaction time
B) Amount of sleep
C) Participants' age
D) Time of day
Correct Answer: Amount of sleep
Rationale: The independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulates or varies.
In this study, the researcher manipulates the amount of sleep, making it the independent
variable. Reaction time is the dependent variable, which is measured to see the effect of the
manipulation.
4. Which of the following statements is consistent with a research study conducted with the
correlational method?
A) One variable is measured, and two groups are compared
B) Two variables are measured, and two groups are compared
C) One variable is measured, and there is only one group of participants
D) Two variables are measured, and there is only one group of participants
Correct Answer: Two variables are measured, and there is only one group of participants
Rationale: The correlational method involves measuring two or more variables for each
individual in a single group of participants to determine whether they are related. It does not
involve manipulating variables or comparing groups. This method allows researchers to
examine the strength and direction of relationships between variables.
5. A distribution of scores on a license test forms is normally shaped. This is an example of
which type of distribution?
A) A symmetrical distribution
, B) A positively skewed distribution
C) A negatively skewed distribution
D) A bimodal distribution
Correct Answer: A symmetrical distribution
Rationale: A normal distribution is a symmetrical distribution where the mean, median, and
mode are all equal and located at the center. In a symmetrical distribution, the shape of the
distribution on the left side mirrors the right side. Skewed distributions are asymmetrical,
with a tail extending to one side.
6. Sarah is conducting a research study in which one group of participants consumes one cup
of coffee, whereas another group consumes two cups of coffee. Then she assesses attention
levels of these participants following coffee consumption. This is an example of what type of
research study?
A) Correlational study
B) Experimental study
C) Observational study
D) Descriptive study
Correct Answer: Experimental study
Rationale: An experimental study involves the manipulation of an independent variable
(amount of coffee) and the measurement of a dependent variable (attention levels) while
controlling extraneous variables. The researcher assigns participants to different conditions
(one cup vs. two cups) and compares the outcomes. Correlational studies do not involve
manipulation.
7. It is customary to list the score categories in a frequency distribution table from the highest
down to the lowest.
A) True
B) False
Social Sciences (2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of descriptive statistics in social
science research?
A) To determine the probability that a hypothesis is true
B) To organize, summarize, and communicate a group of numerical observations
C) To generalize findings from a sample to a larger population
D) To establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables
Correct Answer: To organize, summarize, and communicate a group of numerical
observations
Rationale: Descriptive statistics are procedures used to summarize, organize, and make sense
of a set of scores or observations. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the
measures, such as measures of central tendency and variability. Inferential statistics, in
contrast, are used to generalize from a sample to a population.
2. A researcher collects data on the number of hours students study per week. Which of the
following best describes this variable?
A) A continuous variable
B) A discrete variable
C) A constant variable
D) A nominal variable
Correct Answer: A discrete variable
Rationale: A discrete variable is one that can take on only specific, distinct values, often
whole numbers. The number of hours studied can be counted in whole units (e.g., 1, 2, 3
hours), making it discrete. Continuous variables can take on any value within a range, such as
height or weight.
,3. In a study examining the relationship between sleep deprivation and reaction time, the
researcher manipulates the amount of sleep participants get and measures their reaction time.
Which is the independent variable?
A) Reaction time
B) Amount of sleep
C) Participants' age
D) Time of day
Correct Answer: Amount of sleep
Rationale: The independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulates or varies.
In this study, the researcher manipulates the amount of sleep, making it the independent
variable. Reaction time is the dependent variable, which is measured to see the effect of the
manipulation.
4. Which of the following statements is consistent with a research study conducted with the
correlational method?
A) One variable is measured, and two groups are compared
B) Two variables are measured, and two groups are compared
C) One variable is measured, and there is only one group of participants
D) Two variables are measured, and there is only one group of participants
Correct Answer: Two variables are measured, and there is only one group of participants
Rationale: The correlational method involves measuring two or more variables for each
individual in a single group of participants to determine whether they are related. It does not
involve manipulating variables or comparing groups. This method allows researchers to
examine the strength and direction of relationships between variables.
5. A distribution of scores on a license test forms is normally shaped. This is an example of
which type of distribution?
A) A symmetrical distribution
, B) A positively skewed distribution
C) A negatively skewed distribution
D) A bimodal distribution
Correct Answer: A symmetrical distribution
Rationale: A normal distribution is a symmetrical distribution where the mean, median, and
mode are all equal and located at the center. In a symmetrical distribution, the shape of the
distribution on the left side mirrors the right side. Skewed distributions are asymmetrical,
with a tail extending to one side.
6. Sarah is conducting a research study in which one group of participants consumes one cup
of coffee, whereas another group consumes two cups of coffee. Then she assesses attention
levels of these participants following coffee consumption. This is an example of what type of
research study?
A) Correlational study
B) Experimental study
C) Observational study
D) Descriptive study
Correct Answer: Experimental study
Rationale: An experimental study involves the manipulation of an independent variable
(amount of coffee) and the measurement of a dependent variable (attention levels) while
controlling extraneous variables. The researcher assigns participants to different conditions
(one cup vs. two cups) and compares the outcomes. Correlational studies do not involve
manipulation.
7. It is customary to list the score categories in a frequency distribution table from the highest
down to the lowest.
A) True
B) False
