IRM Exam Practice Questions
Week 1
1.Draw the empirical cycle:
Observation ➜ Induction ➜ Deduction ➜ Testing ➜ Evaluation
2. Whats induction? What’s deduction?
Induction ➜ from observation to a general theory
Deduction ➜ from a general theory to specific observations
3. Name five kinds of quantitative design:
a. Experiment
b. Cross-sectional
c. Case study
d. Longitudinal
e. Comparative
4. Three things we need to prove causality:
a. Time
b. Covariance
c. Exclusion of tertium quid
5. When can we say we have a spurious relationship?
, When there is a third variable (Z) that explains the relationship of X and Y. When
controlling for this other variable, the relationship of the X and Y should be less strong
or not apparent at all.
6. What are some basic research traits? (3)
a. Validity (Measurement, Internal, External - Population and Ecological)
b. Reliability
c. Replicability
Week 2
7. What should we never forget when drawing conceptual models?
a. Boxes
b. Arrows pointing the right direction
c. Positive and negative signs
8. Draw a conceptual model with mediation:
PS. This is a partial mediation. If we have a full mediation, the arrow that points directly
from indie to dependent is missing.
Week 1
1.Draw the empirical cycle:
Observation ➜ Induction ➜ Deduction ➜ Testing ➜ Evaluation
2. Whats induction? What’s deduction?
Induction ➜ from observation to a general theory
Deduction ➜ from a general theory to specific observations
3. Name five kinds of quantitative design:
a. Experiment
b. Cross-sectional
c. Case study
d. Longitudinal
e. Comparative
4. Three things we need to prove causality:
a. Time
b. Covariance
c. Exclusion of tertium quid
5. When can we say we have a spurious relationship?
, When there is a third variable (Z) that explains the relationship of X and Y. When
controlling for this other variable, the relationship of the X and Y should be less strong
or not apparent at all.
6. What are some basic research traits? (3)
a. Validity (Measurement, Internal, External - Population and Ecological)
b. Reliability
c. Replicability
Week 2
7. What should we never forget when drawing conceptual models?
a. Boxes
b. Arrows pointing the right direction
c. Positive and negative signs
8. Draw a conceptual model with mediation:
PS. This is a partial mediation. If we have a full mediation, the arrow that points directly
from indie to dependent is missing.
