Chapter 11: Understanding Statistics in Research

Chapter 11: Understanding Statistics in Research

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. Which situation will involve the use of inferential statistics?

a.	A comparison of independent variables in a quasi-experimental study
b.	A discussion about demographic data
c.	An analysis of demographic variables of the target population
d.	An examination of the differences between control and experimental group scores

 

 

ANS:  D

 

	Feedback
A	Descriptive statistics are used as summary statistics to organize data and are used to describe the sample or key variables.
B	Descriptive statistics are used as summary statistics to organize data and are used to describe the sample or key variables.
C	Descriptive statistics are used as summary statistics to organize data and are used to describe the sample or key variables.
D	Inferential statistics are designed to address objectives, questions, and hypotheses in studies to allow inference form the study sample to the target population. These statistics are used to identify relationships, examine predictions, and determine group differences.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Analyzing (Analysis)

REF:   p. 320

 

2. A reviewer reads a research report and notes that the number of subjects in the original sample is larger than the number in the final analysis. Besides attrition of subjects, this discrepancy is likely because:

a.	data from the control group are not included in the analysis.
b.	essential data is missing from subjects no longer included.
c.	subjects producing outlying data have been excluded from the results.
d.	the final analysis usually discusses data from the experimental group only.

 

 

ANS:  B

 

	Feedback
A	The analysis discusses data from both the experimental and the control groups.
B	If enough data are missing for certain variables, researchers may have to exclude analyses using these variables and may sometimes have to exclude some subjects from data analysis.
C	Outlying data are not excluded from study results; such data must be discussed.
D	A final analysis will discuss data from both the experimental and control group.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF:   p. 320

 

3. A researcher notes that 2 subjects in an experimental group had scores similar to those in the control group, while the other 20 experimental group subjects had scores far different from those in the control group. The researcher would consider the scores for the two subjects as:

a.	control group findings.
b.	outlier scores.
c.	unexpected findings.
d.	ungrouped participants.

 

 

ANS:  B

 

	Feedback
A	Subjects who receive the experimental group intervention remain part of the experimental group regardless of their scores.
B	Subjects with extreme values that seem unlike the rest of the sample are called outliers.
C	Unexpected findings can occur with or without outliers.
D	Subjects can be grouped into categories or not; the process may highlight outliers, but would not define them.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF:   p. 323

 

4. It is important to know the demographic variables among study subjects in order to:

a.	calculate central tendency and standard deviation of study scores.
b.	ensure that control and experimental subjects are different.
c.	ensure that outcomes are not caused by independent variables.
d.	understand how well the sample represents the target population.

 

 

ANS:  D

 

	Feedback
A	Demographic variables are not used to calculate central tendency and standard deviation of study results.
B	Researchers evaluate demographic variables in experimental studies to ensure that the groups are similar so that outcomes can be related to the independent variables and not to population differences.
C	Researchers evaluate demographic variables in experimental studies to ensure that the groups are similar so that outcomes can be related to the independent variables and not to population differences.
D	One goal of analyzing demographic variables in a study to make sure that the sample population is representative of the target population so that findings may be generalized to the larger population.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF:   p. 320

 

5. A researcher evaluates the internal consistency (reliability) a newly developed scale used in a pilot study and notes a Cronbach alpha coefficient of space 0.72. The researcher will:

a.	compare the measure with scores from another group of subjects.
b.	test the scale for validity prior to using it in another study.
c.	try another measure with better reliability in another pilot study.
d.	use the scale in the larger study and continue to monitor coefficient results.

 

 

ANS:  D

 

	Feedback
A	It is not necessary, at this point, to compare the measure with scores from another group of subjects.
B	It is not necessary to test the scale for validity prior to using it again.
C	This scale should be used and does not need to be discarded for another scale.
D	A Cronbach alpha score of 0.80 to 0.90 indicates that the measure is sufficiently reliable to use in a study, although a value of 0.70 is considered acceptable. The researcher should use the scale with the larger group and monitor this value.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF:   p. 323