Multiple Choice Questions
1. For a causal relationship to exist there must be evidence (pp. 275–276)
a. of a relationship between variables.
b. that one variable precedes the other in time.
c. that a third variable did not cause the changes observed in the first two variables.
*d. all of the above.
e. a and b only are correct.
2. The 55-mph speed limit was introduced in the U.S. in 1973. Shortly thereafter the number of auto accidents declined. We can conclude that (pp. 275–277)
a. the reduced speed limit caused the decline in auto accidents.
*b. the reduced speed limit may have caused the decline in the number of auto accidents.
c. the reduced speed limit and the number of auto accidents are causally related.
d. the reduced speed limit had nothing to do with the decline in auto accidents.
e. a and c only are correct.
3. If we can establish that variable X comes before variable Q in time, then we can say (pp. 275–276)
a. variable X is a cause of variable Q.
b. variable X is not a cause of variable Q.
c. variable Q is a cause of variable X.
*d. variable Q is not a cause of variable X.
e. none of the above.
4. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a cross-sectional study? (p. 306)
a. It is conducted at only one point in time.
b. It can be exploratory, descriptive, or explanatory.
*c. It concentrates on the changes that take place within a specific sample over a period of time.
d. It provides a means for studying a large variation in the population at the same point in time.
e. All of the above are characteristics of the cross-sectional study.
5. In order to ensure that experimental and control groups are similar before the experiment begins, social scientists sometimes (pp. 287–288)
a. pair subjects who are identical on relevant variables and assign one to the control group and one to the experimental group.
b. create groups that are equivalent in terms of their averages on some relevant variables.
c. assign subjects randomly to the experimental and control groups.
*d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
6. The problem of an interaction between the testing and the experimental stimulus is handled by (pp. 286–287)
a. the Solomon four-group design.
b. the posttest-only control group design.
c. the classical experimental design
d. all of the above.
*e. a and b only are correct.
7. Which of the following is LEAST suited to providing clear evidence about a causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables? (pp. 282–283)
a. classical experimental design.
b. Solomon four-group design.
c. posttest-only control group design.
*d. one-shot case study.
e. All of the above are equally effective in providing evidence of a causal relationship.
8. A friend of yours, a senior, took the Graduate Record Exam in September and scored in the 99th percentile. In February your friend took the same exam over again. This time your friend scored in the 84th percentile. As a research methodology student, you told your friend that his/her lowered score was probably due to (pp. 280–281)
a. testing.
b. history.
*c. statistical regression.
d. demoralization.
e. compensation rivalry.
9. Assume that you have developed a study technique that you believe will result in students scoring higher on research methods exams. You test your study technique with the design diagrammed below.
R = random assignment
0 = observation
X = stimulus
R 01 X 02
R 03 04
Using the diagrammed design, what predictions will you make? (pp. 285–287)
a. 02 should be greater than 01.
b. 02 should be greater than 04.
c. 04 should be greater than 03.
d. all of the above.
*e. a and b only are correct.
10. The design diagrammed in question 9 (pp. 285–287)
a. is a static group comparison design.
b. treats 0 as the new teaching technique.
c. treats 0 as the old teaching technique.
d. treats X as the scores on the research methods exam.
*e. none of the above.
11. A school social worker administered a self-esteem test to a group of 9th graders in September. During the school year the students received intensive social work intervention designed to improve their self-esteem. In May the self-esteem test was given again and the self-esteem scores improved. A major problem in this research is that the researcher failed to control for (pp. 277–281)
a. history.
b. maturation.
c. testing.
d. selection biases.
*e. all of the above.
12. An instrumentation effect occurs when (p. 280)
a. the instrument employed for the pretest has an effect that shows up on the posttest.
*b. the measurement instrument is changed from the pretest to the posttest.
c. there is a change on the dependent variable from the pretest score to the posttest score.
d. all of the above.
e. a and b only are correct.
13. The Solomon four-group design (p. 287)
*a. combines the classical experimental design with the posttest-only control group design.
b. combines the classical experimental design with the pretest-only control group design.
c. combines the classical experimental design with the static-group comparison design.
d. combines the static-group comparison design with the one-group pretest-posttest design.
e. none of the above.
14. Pre-experimental designs (pp. 282–285)
*a. are the weakest experimental designs.
b. control for most sources of internal invalidity.
c. control for most sources of external invalidity.
d. are excellent for drawing causal inferences.
e. b and d only are correct.
15. Which of the following is (are) descriptive of time-series designs? (pp. 293–295)
a. They guard against a process of maturation that could occur and would otherwise go undetected.
b. Regular fluctuations that occur apart from the experimental stimulus can be identified.
c. They serve as a protection against the possible influence of some extraneous factor.
d. All of the above.
*e. a and b only are correct.
16. After the delivery of their baby, new parents in hospital A were given a poison-control test. While at the hospital they attended a training session on poison control. At the end of a week, they were given the poison-control test again. After the delivery of their baby, new parents in hospital B were given the poison-control test. One week later they were given the test again. What kind of design is being used? (pp. 292–293)
a. pretest-posttest control group.
b. time series.
*c. nonequivalent control group.
d. cross-sectional design.
e. multiple time-series.
17. Suppose a new social casework program is offered to students with high levels of truancy. If those students placed in the program by their families have significantly less truancy after participating than the students who did not participate in the program, then we can conclude that (p. 281)
a. the program effectively reduces truancy.
*b. a selection bias might explain away the difference.
c. causality cannot be inferred because of the lack of covariation.
d. some clients benefited, so the program has value.
18. Suppose a case management program is established to reduce rehospitalization rates in a hospital and that those rates drop dramatically once the new program is established. We can conclude that (p. 277)
a. research has demonstrated an effective approach to practice.
b. causality cannot be inferred because time order was not established.
*c. another event occurring during the time of the study might explain away the change.
d. the absence of covariation threatens the internal validity of any causal inferences.