All AP Psychology Resources
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 __________.
Reliable and valid
None of the other answers is correct
Reliable, but not valid
Neither valid nor reliable
Valid, but not reliable
Reliable, but not valid
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?
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?
Mean
Percent error
Standard deviation of the mode
Standard deviation
Median
Mean
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?
Confounding variables
Type I error
Lurking variables
Experimental drift
Type II error
Type II error
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?
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.
strong
moderate
weak
medium
moderate
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?
Type I error
Cohort effect
Correlational error
Type II error
Type I error
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?
Cohort error
Type I error
Type II error
Sampling error
Type II error
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?
Mode
Standard deviation
Mean
Median
Median
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?
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.