SIOP Research Methods & Data Analysis in I-O Psychology 2

Question 1

A researcher wants to determine if a new training program causes improved performance. Which design best supports a causal inference?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled experiment

Answer

Only randomized controlled experiments allow causal inference by ruling out alternative explanations through random assignment.

Question 2

What does a negative skew in a distribution of performance scores indicate?

Accepted Answer

Most scores cluster near the high end with a tail toward the low end

Answer

Negative skew means the tail extends to the left (lower scores), with most scores concentrated at the high end.

Question 3

In a multiple regression, which statistic indicates the unique contribution of each predictor while controlling for all others?

Accepted Answer

Standardized beta coefficient

Answer

Standardized beta coefficients reflect each predictor's unique contribution to the outcome after partialing out shared variance with other predictors.

Question 4

Which threat to internal validity occurs when participants change simply due to the passage of time during a study?

Accepted Answer

Maturation

Answer

Maturation refers to natural changes in participants over time that are unrelated to the experimental treatment.

Question 5

An I-O psychologist uses experience sampling methodology (ESM). What is the primary advantage of this approach?

Accepted Answer

Captures within-person variability across time and situations

Answer

ESM repeatedly measures individuals in real time, capturing fluctuations in mood, engagement, or behavior across contexts.

(SIOP) Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Certification Practice Test

(SIOP) Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Certification Practice Test

SIOP Research Methods & Data Analysis in I-O Psychology 2