EPPP Test Research Methods and Statistics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A researcher wants to evaluate a new workshop for reducing workplace stress.
They randomly assign employees to one of four groups: (1) pretest, workshop, posttest; (2) pretest, no workshop, posttest; (3) no pretest, workshop, posttest; (4) no pretest, no workshop, posttest.
This design is best known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A Solomon four-group design

Answer

A pretest-posttest control group design

Answer

A factorial design

Answer

A repeated measures design

Question 2

A research team is conducting a study with a small sample size to test a new therapeutic intervention. They are concerned about failing to detect a real effect of the therapy if one truly exists. To minimize this risk, which of the following actions would be most effective?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the statistical power of the study

Answer

Decreasing the alpha level from .05 to .01

Answer

Ensuring the measurement tool for the outcome has low reliability

Answer

Using a one-tailed test instead of a two-tailed test if the direction of the effect is uncertain

Question 3

A psychologist is investigating the relationship between different types of professional training (e.g., CBT, psychodynamic, family systems) and a therapist's primary work setting (e.g., private practice, hospital, community mental health). Which statistical test would be most appropriate to analyze the association between these two variables?

Accepted Answer

A chi-square test of independence

Answer

An independent samples t-test

Answer

A Pearson correlation

Answer

A one-way ANOVA

Question 4

A clinical trial is conducted for a new medication intended to treat social anxiety disorder. The researchers conclude that the medication is not more effective than a placebo. However, in reality, the medication does produce a small but genuine therapeutic effect. The researchers' conclusion is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

Type II error

Answer

Type I error

Answer

Standard error of the mean

Answer

Threat to external validity

Question 5

A researcher collects the following data from participants in a weight loss study: (1) their gender, (2) their finishing rank in a 'most improved' competition, and (3) the exact number of pounds they lost. These three variables correspond, respectively, to which scales of measurement?

Accepted Answer

Nominal, Ordinal, Ratio

Answer

Ordinal, Ratio, Nominal

Answer

Interval, Ordinal, Ratio

Answer

Nominal, Interval, Ordinal

Question 6

A research psychologist is planning a study and wants to increase the likelihood of finding a statistically significant result, assuming a true effect exists. All else being equal, which of the following strategies would increase the statistical power of the study?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the sample size

Answer

Decreasing the effect size

Answer

Decreasing the alpha level (e.g., from .05 to .01)

Answer

Using a measure with lower reliability