Experimental Research Designs: The Ultimate Guide for Sport Science Students

Question 1

Which of the following is an observational research design?

Accepted Answer

Observational design

Answer

Crossover design

Answer

Factorial design

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of true experimental designs?

Accepted Answer

Groups are not randomly assigned to experimental and control conditions

Answer

The data is collected in a controlled setting

Answer

There is a control group to compare the experimental group to

Answer

The researcher has control over the independent variable

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of random assignment in experimental design?

Accepted Answer

To control for potential confounding variables

Answer

To minimize the effects of participant attrition

Answer

To increase the sample size

Question 4

Which of the following is a potential threat to internal validity in an experimental design, which refers to the ability to draw accurate conclusions about the causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables?

Accepted Answer

Participant attrition, referring to the loss of participants during the experiment which can lead to biased results.

Answer

External validity, which refers to the generalizability of the findings to other populations or settings.

Answer

Statistical power, which refers to the ability of a study to detect a statistically significant difference between groups.

Answer

Replication, which refers to the process of repeating a study to confirm the results.

Question 5

What is the key distinction between a between-subjects design and a within-subjects design?

Accepted Answer

In a between-subjects design, participants are randomly assigned to different treatment conditions, while in a within-subjects design, all participants experience all conditions.

Answer

Between-subjects designs have higher internal validity, while within-subjects designs have higher external validity

Question 6

Which statistical measure quantifies the magnitude of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables?

Accepted Answer

Effect size

Answer

P-value

Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Significance level

Question 7

What is the main role of a control group in an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

To provide a baseline for comparison to assess the effects of the independent variable

Answer

To increase the sample size

Answer

To reduce experimenter bias

Question 8

Which type of experimental design involves manipulating two or more independent variables?

Accepted Answer

Factorial design

Answer

Single-subject design

Answer

Cross-sectional design

Answer

Cohort design

Question 9

Why is replication crucial in experimental research?

Accepted Answer

To increase the confidence in the findings and reduce the likelihood of false positives

Answer

To identify the most effective treatment condition

Answer

To generalize the results to a wider population

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a key principle of experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Convenience sampling, which involves selecting participants who are easily accessible, while random sampling is preferred to ensure representative samples.

Answer

Control groups, which serve as comparison groups that do not receive the experimental treatment.

Answer

Experimental groups, which receive the experimental treatment.

Answer

Random assignment, which ensures that participants have an equal chance of being assigned to any experimental condition.

Question 11

How do independent and dependent variables differ in an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher, while the dependent variable is measured to assess the effects of the manipulation.

Answer

The independent variable is measured, while the dependent variable is manipulated by the researcher.

Answer

The dependent variable is manipulated by the researcher, while the independent variable is measured.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a factorial design?

Accepted Answer

An experiment that investigates the effects of two or more independent variables on a dependent variable, allowing for the examination of interactions between the variables.

Answer

An experiment that compares two or more groups on a single dependent variable, without examining interactions between variables.

Question 13

What is the primary purpose of conducting a pilot study in research?

Accepted Answer

To assess the feasibility, practicality, and effectiveness of an experimental design before conducting a full-scale study.

Answer

To collect data on a large sample size.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a type of experimental control used to minimize the effects of confounding variables?

Accepted Answer

Historical control, which involves comparing data from different groups at different points in time, making it difficult to isolate the effects of the independent variable.

Answer

Matched control, which pairs participants based on relevant characteristics to reduce the effects of confounding variables.

Answer

Placebo control, which involves providing participants with a non-active treatment to control for the effects of expectations.

Answer

Randomized control, which randomly assigns participants to experimental and control groups.

Question 15

What is the main advantage of using a single-blind experiment, where participants are unaware of their experimental condition?

Accepted Answer

It reduces the potential for participants' expectations to influence their behavior or responses, minimizing bias.

Answer

It reduces the likelihood of bias in data collection by the researchers.

Answer

It ensures that the researchers are unaware of the participants' experimental conditions.

Question 16

What is the purpose of a post-test only control group design?

Accepted Answer

To compare the effects of an experimental treatment on two groups that are measured only after the intervention, without a pre-test measurement.

Answer

To compare the effects of an experimental treatment on two groups that are measured both before and after the intervention.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a true experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Non-random assignment of participants to groups

Answer

Random assignment of participants to groups

Answer

Experimental group

Answer

Control group

Question 18

In an experimental research design, random assignment of participants to groups ensures:

Accepted Answer

Equal representation of participant characteristics in all groups

Answer

Accurate measurement of the dependent variable

Answer

Elimination of confounding variables

Question 19

Which type of experimental research design involves the use of two or more independent variables?

Accepted Answer

Factorial design

Answer

True experimental design

Answer

Pretest-posttest design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Question 20

A confound in an experimental research design occurs when:

Accepted Answer

Two variables are unintentionally related and affect the dependent variable

Answer

The researcher is biased

Answer

The sample size is too small

Question 21

Which statistical method is commonly used to analyze the results of a factorial design experiment?

Accepted Answer

Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

T-test

Question 22

In a matched-pairs experimental design:

Accepted Answer

Participants are matched on one or more characteristics before being randomly assigned to groups

Answer

The same participants are measured at two different time points

Answer

Two independent groups are compared

Question 23

A double-blind experimental design is used to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent both participants and researchers from knowing which group participants are in

Answer

Ensure random assignment of participants to groups

Answer

Control for confounding variables