#1
Which of the following is NOT a component of a well-designed laboratory experiment?
Survey
ExplanationSurveys are not typically part of laboratory experiments, which usually involve controlled manipulation of variables.
#2
What is the purpose of a control group in a laboratory experiment?
To serve as a baseline for comparison
ExplanationThe control group helps to isolate the effect of the independent variable by providing a standard against which the experimental group can be compared.
#3
Which statistical test is commonly used to compare means between two groups in an experiment?
T-test
ExplanationThe t-test is used to determine if there is a significant difference between the means of two groups.
#4
What is the purpose of blinding in a laboratory experiment?
To eliminate bias from both the participants and the researchers
ExplanationBlinding prevents participants and researchers from influencing the results, thus reducing bias.
#5
What is the purpose of a pilot study in experimental design?
To gather initial data and test feasibility
ExplanationPilot studies are conducted to collect preliminary data and assess the practicality of the experimental design.
#6
Which type of sampling method involves selecting participants based on their availability and willingness to participate?
Convenience sampling
ExplanationConvenience sampling selects participants based on accessibility and willingness, often leading to biased results.
#7
What does the term 'reliability' refer to in experimental design?
The consistency of measurement
ExplanationReliability indicates the extent to which a measurement yields consistent results over multiple trials.
#8
In a factorial experimental design, how are factors typically manipulated?
Factors are manipulated in combination with each other
ExplanationFactors in factorial designs are manipulated together to examine their combined effects on the dependent variable.
#9
Which of the following is a potential drawback of using a completely randomized design?
Difficulty in controlling extraneous variables
ExplanationRandomization can make it challenging to control other variables that may influence the outcome.
#10
What is the purpose of a Latin square design in experimental design?
To counterbalance order effects
ExplanationLatin square designs are used to control for order effects by ensuring each condition appears in each position.
#11
What is the primary advantage of using a crossover design in experimental research?
Reduced likelihood of order effects
ExplanationCrossover designs involve each participant experiencing all conditions, reducing the impact of order effects.
#12
Which of the following is a potential limitation of using factorial experimental designs?
Increased complexity
ExplanationFactorial designs can become complex, requiring careful planning and analysis.