Mastering Interpretation of Research Results in Psychology

Question 1

What does an effect size quantify?

Accepted Answer

The strength of the relationship between variables

Answer

The probability of a significant finding

Answer

The number of participants in a study

Answer

The duration of the study

Question 2

What is the purpose of a confidence interval?

Accepted Answer

To estimate the range of values within which the true population parameter likely falls

Answer

To determine the probability of finding a significant effect

Answer

To adjust for multiple comparisons

Answer

To calculate the effect size

Question 3

When interpreting the results of a statistical test, which of the following factors should be disregarded?

Accepted Answer

The researcher's personal beliefs

Answer

Effect size

Answer

Sample size

Answer

Research design

Question 4

A p-value of 0.05 generally indicates that:

Accepted Answer

The results are statistically significant at the 0.05 level.

Answer

There is a 5% probability that the null hypothesis is true.

Answer

There is a 95% probability that the observed difference is due to chance.

Answer

The sample size is too small to draw meaningful conclusions.

Question 5

Which measure quantifies the strength of a relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Mean

Answer

T-test

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a common pitfall in interpreting statistical results?

Accepted Answer

Applying the appropriate statistical test for the research question

Answer

Overgeneralizing the findings beyond the scope of the study

Answer

Ignoring the potential impact of confounding variables

Answer

Assuming that statistical significance automatically implies practical significance

Question 7

Which of the following is not considered a measure of effect size?

Accepted Answer

Statistical significance (p-value)

Answer

Odds ratio

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

Eta-squared

Question 8

When interpreting a confidence interval, it is important to remember that:

Accepted Answer

It represents a range of plausible values for the population parameter

Answer

It guarantees that the true population parameter is within the interval

Answer

It indicates the probability of making a Type I error

Answer

It is always symmetric around the sample mean

Question 9

A meta-analysis involves:

Accepted Answer

Combining and analyzing data from multiple studies

Answer

Conducting a new study with a larger sample size

Answer

Replicating a study with different participants

Answer

Providing definitive answers to research questions

Question 10

When interpreting statistical results in psychological research, why is it essential to consider both statistical significance and effect size?

Accepted Answer

Effect size quantifies the magnitude of the observed effect, complementing significance testing.

Answer

Statistical significance alone ensures the practical relevance of the results.

Answer

Effect size is only useful for interpreting results in qualitative research.

Question 11

When using a confidence interval to interpret results, a 95% confidence interval suggests that:

Accepted Answer

We can be 95% confident that the true population parameter falls within the interval.

Answer

The probability of replicating the same results is 95%.

Answer

The results are statistically significant.

Answer

The sample size is 95%.

Question 12

Which of the following measures the variability of data?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Answer

Range

Question 13

In qualitative research studies, the researcher's:

Accepted Answer

Subjectivity can potentially influence the interpretation of results.

Answer

Role is completely objective and unbiased.

Answer

Findings are always generalizable to a larger population.

Answer

Analysis is based exclusively on statistical data.

Question 14

Which of the following is a measure of central tendency that represents the average of a set of values?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Answer

Mode

Answer

Variance

Question 15

When reporting the results of a statistical analysis, it is essential to:

Accepted Answer

Clearly state the employed statistical test, the degrees of freedom, and the probability value

Answer

Emphasize solely the statistical significance of the findings

Answer

Report only the mean and standard deviation without statistical context

Question 16

Which type of statistical error occurs when a true null hypothesis is erroneously rejected?

Accepted Answer

Type I error

Answer

Beta error

Answer

Type II error

Answer

Alpha error

Question 17

When interpreting statistical results, it is critical to:

Accepted Answer

Consider both the statistical significance and the practical implications in the real world

Answer

Overgeneralize the results to populations not included in the study

Answer

Focus primarily on statistical significance, disregarding effect size

Question 18

When conducting multiple statistical tests, it is important to:

Accepted Answer

Adjust the alpha level to control the probability of Type I errors

Answer

Disregard the possibility of multiple comparisons

Answer

Apply a more relaxed alpha level to increase the likelihood of significant findings

Question 19

Which of the following represents a qualitative approach to interpreting research results?

Accepted Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Analysis of variance

Answer

Regression analysis