AP Psychology : Research and Testing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Interpreting Results

Carol did a study examining the link between male students' test scores and their alcohol consumption. Other researchers replicated her study in a similar setting and got back similar results, but argued that her study answers a different question than it was designed to answer.

Carol's study is __________.

Possible Answers:

Reliable and valid

None of the other answers is correct

Reliable, but not valid

Neither valid nor reliable

Valid, but not reliable

Correct answer:

Reliable, but not valid

Explanation:

A study's validity is its ability to scientifically measure the concepts it was designed to measure. A study's reliability is its ability to yield similar results when replicated in a similar setting.

Because Carol's study could be replicated but does not answer the question it was designed to answer her study is reliable, but not valid.

Example Question #2 : Interpreting Results

In a correlation experiment which number shows the weakest correlation?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The number describing two variables relationship is the correlation coefficient. This could show a positive correlation (+ number) or a negative correlation (- number). The further from 0 the coefficent is the stronger the correlation. 

Example Question #1621 : Ap Psychology

When measuring central tendency, which of the following choices is known to be biased depending on the data set?

Possible Answers:

Mean

Percent error 

Standard deviation of the mode

Standard deviation

Median

Correct answer:

Mean

Explanation:

The mean is the average of a data set. On the other hand, the median is considered to be the 50th percentile—that is cutting the entire data set in half and representing the exact middle of the data set. The mean may be skewed depending on the data set. For instance, the median may be 50 but because of a few higher numbers, the mean could be 56. Using the mean as a measure of central tendency may cause the distribution to be a bit lopsided. Percent error is a statistical measure of the marginal error of actual results compared to expected results; therefore, percent error would not be the correct answer. Additionally, standard deviation is the measurement of the deviation from a group as a whole. This calculation is often conducted using averages (means); thus, the options standard deviation and standard deviation of the mode would also be incorrect. 

Example Question #3 : Interpreting Results

A researcher has determined through an experiment that moderate doses of ginseng have no effect on verbal memory; thus, he fails to reject the null hypothesis. In reality, the researcher missed a critical data point in his analysis that should have pointed towards a positive effect of ginseng on memory. This is an example of which of the following types of research error?

Possible Answers:

Confounding variables

Type I error

Lurking variables

Experimental drift

Type II error

Correct answer:

Type II error

Explanation:

Type II error—also called a false negative—occurs when a researcher incorrectly fails to reject a false null hypothesis. In other words, the researcher should have rejected the null hypothesis in favor of the experimental hypothesis. In this case, the researcher should have found evidence in favor of the experimental hypothesis that ginseng consumption has a significant effect on memory; however, the researcher failed to do so because of some experimental error (i.e. random or systematic, the problem does not specify).

Example Question #11 : Interpreting Results

IQ data is collected for one thousand individuals. If the data are normally distributed, how many of these individuals are likely to fall within two standard deviations above the mean?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

2.3 percent of individuals fall two standard deviations above the mean in a normal distribution. 2.3% of 1000 individuals is 23 individuals that fall above this cutoff. 

Convert the percentage into a ratio.

Create a ratio using the total number of the sample size. Use the variable  as a representation of the number of individuals that fall two standard deviations above the mean.

Create a proportion using the two ratios.

Cross multiply and solve for .

Simplify.

Divide both sides of the equation by .

Solve.

Example Question #1622 : Ap Psychology

Researchers discover a .62 correlation between self-esteem and academic achievement in a group of high school students. This would be described as a __________ in strength relationship. 

Possible Answers:

strong

moderate

weak

medium

Correct answer:

moderate

Explanation:

Any correlation between .30 and .69 is considered moderate in strength. Anything above .60 is considered strong. Anything below .30 is considered weak or no correlation.  

Example Question #11 : Interpreting Results

A group of psychologists reject their null hypothesis, but it turns out that their null hypothesis is true. What kind of error have they committed?    

Possible Answers:

Type I error

Cohort effect

Correlational error

Type II error 

Correct answer:

Type I error

Explanation:

A type I error occurs when a null hypothesis is rejected when researchers should have failed to reject the null hypothesis, in other words, when the researchers reject a true hypothesis. Remember, a null hypothesis is the assumption that there is no difference between the groups participating in the study. So if a type I error occurs, that means that the researchers are stating there is a difference between the groups when there really is not a difference. A Type II error involves the acceptance of a false hypothesis.

Example Question #12 : Interpreting Results

A group of psychologists fail to reject their null hypothesis, but the null turns out to be false. What kind of error have they committed?

Possible Answers:

Cohort error 

Type I error 

Type II error 

Sampling error 

Correct answer:

Type II error 

Explanation:

A type II error occurs when researchers fail to reject their null hypothesis when they should have rejected it. A null hypothesis is the assumption that there is no difference between the groups being studied. So if a type II error occurs, that means that the researchers are stating there is not a difference between the groups when there really is one.

Example Question #13 : Interpreting Results

A psychology statistics professor wants to display data from previous test scores. There are 100 students in her class. On the last test 5 students received perfect scores; however, the rest of the students averaged a score of a 66. Which of the following central tendency measures would be the best to describe the class’s performance on the exam? 

Possible Answers:

Mode

Standard deviation

Mean

Median

Correct answer:

Median

Explanation:

Central tendency measures include the mean, median, and mode. In this case, the median would be best because several outliers skew this data set (e.g. perfect scores). The mean would be influenced strongly by these outliers. 

Example Question #11 : Interpreting Results

Which of the following correlation coefficients demonstrates a strong inverse relationship?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A correlation coefficient is a measure of the relationship between two variables. Correlation coefficients range from -1 to +1. For this reason -1.5 is incorrect because it is not possible to have a correlation coefficient less than -1. This question is asking for a coefficient with a strong inverse relationship. A positive number indicates a direct relationship, while a negative number indicates an indirect or inverse relationship. The specific number indicates the strength of the relationship. If the correlation coefficient is closer to -1 or +1, then it is said to be strong. As the number moves closer to zero, the strength of the relationship decreases; therefore, -0.90 is the best answer. 

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