PSYC 242 Clinical Research Questions with
Verified Correct Answers
Tommy was referred for treatment for ADHD. His psychologist recommended gathering
baseline data on his behaviors, providing him with medication and evaluating his behaviors,
removing the medication to reevaluate his behavior, and then providing him with medication
again and evaluating his behavior. This "outcome study" best reflects which design?
ABAB
When participants for a treatment outcome study are selected based on strict criteria and are
randomly assigned to a control or treatment group they are likely participating in what kind of
study?
efficacy
How does publication bias impact scientific results?
All of the above
(Researchers have an incentive for "tinkering" with their analyses until they find something
positive/significant, Journals prefer to publish articles with significant results, so the numerous
studies that weren't significant (and perhaps more representative of the data) go unpublished,
The incentives for publishing positive/significant results can lead to the researchers losing
objectivity (e.g., changing hypotheses mid-way through data analysis))
Why might clinical scientists not disclose their datasets or methods after they are published?
limited incentive and/or accountability to do so
If a study has statistical significance then it will also have clinical significance.
Not necessarily - clinical significance is measured differently than statistical significance
Meta-analyses provide data that represent _______________
the summation of findings from multiple separate studies.
Efficacy is to _______________ as effectiveness is to _________________.
internal validity; external validity
Verified Correct Answers
Tommy was referred for treatment for ADHD. His psychologist recommended gathering
baseline data on his behaviors, providing him with medication and evaluating his behaviors,
removing the medication to reevaluate his behavior, and then providing him with medication
again and evaluating his behavior. This "outcome study" best reflects which design?
ABAB
When participants for a treatment outcome study are selected based on strict criteria and are
randomly assigned to a control or treatment group they are likely participating in what kind of
study?
efficacy
How does publication bias impact scientific results?
All of the above
(Researchers have an incentive for "tinkering" with their analyses until they find something
positive/significant, Journals prefer to publish articles with significant results, so the numerous
studies that weren't significant (and perhaps more representative of the data) go unpublished,
The incentives for publishing positive/significant results can lead to the researchers losing
objectivity (e.g., changing hypotheses mid-way through data analysis))
Why might clinical scientists not disclose their datasets or methods after they are published?
limited incentive and/or accountability to do so
If a study has statistical significance then it will also have clinical significance.
Not necessarily - clinical significance is measured differently than statistical significance
Meta-analyses provide data that represent _______________
the summation of findings from multiple separate studies.
Efficacy is to _______________ as effectiveness is to _________________.
internal validity; external validity
