Ninth Edition CoverGraziano & Raulin
Research Methods (9th edition)

Chapter 8 Multiple-Choice Questions
Hypothesis Testing, Validity,
and Threats to Validity

Test yourself on these multiple-choice questions. Clicking on the letter of your choice will give you immediate feedback on whether you are correct. Even when you are incorrect, you will receive feedback that will help you learn the material better so that you do well on the exam.

  1. A good statement of the problem
    (a) is concerned only with inductive prediction.
    (b) specifies the number of participants needed.
    (c) includes the statistical procedures.
    (d) should imply the possibility of empirical testing.

  2. In the research on autistic children discussed at several points in the text,
    (a) the independent variable was disruption.
    (b) the research was carried out at an experimental level.
    (c) the study clearly showed a causal relationship.
    (d) relaxation was the independent variable and the dependent variable was disruption.

  3. Which hypothesis is directly tested in an experiment?
    (a) One specific confounding variable hypothesis.
    (b) All of the confounding variables hypotheses.
    (c) The research hypothesis.
    (d) both b and c

  4. The statement of the problem
    (a) is never complete until all the data are collected.
    (b) is a refinement of the initial ideas.
    (c) is produced by adding the operational definitions.
    (d) specifies the experimental manipulation.

  5. A research hypothesis
    (a) is a tentative statement.
    (b) must include at least three variables.
    (c) is used only at the experimental level.
    (d) cannot be directly tested.

  6. In what order are hypotheses tested or addressed in experimental research?
    (a) The order varies, depending on the specifics of the experiment.
    (b) The confounding variable, the statistical, and then the causal.
    (c) The statistical, the confounding variable, and then the causal.
    (d) The causal, the statistical, and then the confounding variable.

  7. Which of the following characterizes experimental research?
    (a) Seeking the strength and direction of relationships.
    (b) Hypothesis generating as the major aim.
    (c) High control and causal inferences.
    (d) The goal of observing contingent relationships.

  8. The research hypothesis includes
    (a) only the null hypothesis.
    (b) the null and causal hypotheses.
    (c) only the causal hypothesis.
    (d) none of the above.

  9. Conclusions based on experimental research depend heavily on
    (a) nonparametric statistical procedures.
    (b) random selection of participants from a general population.
    (c) ruling out alternative hypotheses.
    (d) large numbers of participants.

  10. In experimental research, a good statement of the problem will include
    (a) statistical analyses.
    (b) identification of at least two variables.
    (c) data collection.
    (d) specification of the number of participants.

  11. Which of the following is characteristic of a good statement of the problem?
    (a) It should state clearly the expected relationships between variables.
    (b) It identifies the statistical procedures.
    (c) It need not, at this stage, suggest the possibility of empirical testing.
    (d) It is not particularly important at lower levels of research.

  12. Experiments are conducted not only to find evidence for a position, but also to
    (a) avoid tentative conclusions.
    (b) prove one's theory.
    (c) rule out rival hypotheses.
    (d) determine the absolute truth.

  13. A good statement of the problem
    (a) is not needed only at the correlational level of research.
    (b) is presented in the form of a question.
    (c) depends entirely on the operational definitions.
    (d) is primarily focused on the independent variable(s).

  14. The concept that a procedure really does test what it is supposed to test is
    (a) determination.
    (b) replication.
    (c) reliability.
    (d) validity.

  15. What concept is at the very heart of experimentation?
    (a) external validity
    (b) internal validity
    (c) replication
    (d) participant selection

  16. When we can conclude that it was the independent variable and not some other variable that caused the change in the dependent variable, then the study has good
    (a) external validity.
    (b) conceptual validity.
    (c) internal validity.
    (d) none of the above

  17. Which confounding variable is most likely to occur when participants are selected because their pretest measures were abnormally high?
    (a) regression to the mean
    (b) testing
    (c) attrition
    (d) selection

  18. Initial research ideas are
    (a) stated as questions.
    (b) almost always discarded.
    (c) the research hypothesis.
    (d) put into declarative form.

  19. Theory is
    (a) important only when facts are absent.
    (b) critical in developing the research hypothesis.
    (c) a proof of ideas being "right" or "wrong."
    (d) generally of little use in factual-oriented, hard science.

  20. What confounding variable occurs when the researchers gradually change their observation criteria over the course of the study?
    (a) regression toward the mean
    (b) instrumentation
    (c) maturation
    (d) history

  21. Which confounding variable can only occur in within-subjects studies?
    (a) regression to the mean
    (b) diffusion of treatment
    (c) sequence effects
    (d) testing