HSP Research and Scientific Foundations 3

Question 1

A health psychologist conducting a single-case experimental design uses an ABAB withdrawal design. The primary purpose of the second return to baseline (B) is to:

Accepted Answer

Demonstrate experimental control by replicating the intervention effect

Answer

The second intervention phase in an ABAB design replicates the effect, demonstrating that behavior change is functionally related to the treatment.

Question 2

A researcher reports a 95% confidence interval of [0.10, 0.45] for a risk ratio. The correct interpretation is:

Accepted Answer

Both B and C are correct interpretations

Answer

A 95% CI means 95% of such intervals capture the true parameter (frequentist interpretation), and excluding 1.0 confirms significance at α = .05 for a ratio.

Question 3

Which of the following threats to internal validity involves participants changing over the course of a study due to natural developmental processes?

Accepted Answer

Maturation

Answer

Maturation refers to natural changes in participants over time (e.g., aging, fatigue) that may explain outcome differences independent of the intervention.

Question 4

In multiple regression, multicollinearity is most problematic because it:

Accepted Answer

Increases standard errors of individual regression coefficients

Answer

Multicollinearity inflates standard errors of regression coefficients, making individual predictors appear non-significant even when they have real effects.

Question 5

The Belmont Report's principle of 'beneficence' in research ethics refers to:

Accepted Answer

Maximizing potential benefits and minimizing possible harms to participants

Answer

Beneficence obligates researchers to maximize participant benefits and minimize risks, going beyond simply doing no harm.

(HSP) Certified Health Service Psychologist Practice Test

(HSP) Certified Health Service Psychologist Practice Test

HSP Research and Scientific Foundations 3