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PSYC 110 Section:

Research Methods Exercise (20 Points)

PART A (3 points each): For each example, identify the Independent Variable and Dependent Variable and which subjects in are members of the Experimental Group and which are members of the Control Group. Also what would you predict to occur if the manipulation of the Independent Variable is successful?

Remember!

Independent Variable is the variable being manipulated, or changed by the researcher.

Dependent Variable is being measured; that is, the data being collected.

Experimental Group receives a level of the independent variable, which should influence responding.

Control Group is not receiving a level of the independent variable; hence, responses should be natural.

1. A researcher studies the effects of Ginko-Baloba on the ability to recall learned information (i.e., memory). Fifty students are given Ginko-Baloba for one week and another fifty students are given a placebo for one week. After the week, each students’ memory is tested in a free recall test.

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Experimental Group:

Control Group:

Prediction:

2. Of 100 individuals with severe depression, 50 receive 10 weeks of a new cognitive therapy, while the other 50 are placed on a waiting list for the same 10 weeks. At the end of the 10 weeks all 100 are given psychological tests to assess their level of depression.

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Experimental Group:

Control Group:

Prediction:

3. A professor thinks that making audio recordings of his lectures and then posting them online will decrease student attendance to his lectures. In one class he records his lectures and posts them online, while in a second class he does not. He counts the number of students (out of 100 in each class) that do not show up for each lecture.

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Experimental Group:

Control Group:

Prediction:

 

4. A researcher studies marijuana usage on learning. Twenty mice are fed their daily food laced with marijuana and 20 other mice are fed their daily food only. The researcher measures the number of times each mouse requires to navigate through a maze without making an error.

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Experimental Group:

Control Group:

Prediction:

PART B (1 point each): For each of the following examples, identify what type of correlation (positive, negative, or no correlation) was observed between the variables.

1. Researchers at the University of Scranton found that more conservative political attitude was associated with increased bias toward habitual responding.

Correlation:

2. Researchers in the UK found that human penis length remains relatively constant across shoe sizes.

Correlation:

3. Researchers at Penn State discovered that people with lower attentional control show higher levels of generalized anxiety.

Correlation:

4. Researchers at the University of Albany found that males with larger handgrip strength show higher levels of promiscuity.

Correlation:

5. Researchers find that the more social networking a college student engages in during the week, the lower their grades on term papers.

Correlation:

6. Researchers in Europe found that individuals who rate themselves more right-wing are less sensitive detecting threats to issues facing racial and social equality.

Correlation:

7. Demographic research indicates that the more churches there are within and area, the more prostitutes inhabit that area.

Correlation:

8. Researchers find that people who smoke a lot of marijuana have just as good verbal skills as people who smoke small quantities, or no marijuana.

Correlation: