Chapter 20 Appendix F: Meta-Analysis 20.1 Appendix G Items 1) ________ is a procedure that allows the statistical averaging of results from independent studies of the same phenomenon. A) Multi-analysis B) Analysis of variance C) Meta-analysis D) Descriptive analysis Answer: C Rationale: Option C is correct because meta-analysis is a statistical procedure that allows researchers to systematically review and synthesize results from multiple independent studies on the same topic, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. 2) Meta-analysis A) has made little impact in psychology. B) is a technique for assessing multiple studies. C) looks at one study. D) corrects the assignment of participants to groups. Answer: B Rationale: Option B is correct because meta-analysis is indeed a technique for assessing and synthesizing the results of multiple studies, allowing researchers to draw more robust conclusions by pooling data from various sources. 3) Meta-analysis A) is a statistical procedure. B) typically combines the results of two studies at a time. C) determines the appropriate alpha level of any given study. D) is used when the data are qualitative. Answer: A Rationale: Option A is correct because meta-analysis is a statistical procedure specifically designed for combining and analyzing data from multiple studies, allowing researchers to quantify the overall effect size across studies. 4) In meta-analysis, A) independent variables are converted to dependent variables. B) the number of participants is reduced. C) effect sizes are averaged. D) statistical procedures are held in abeyance. Answer: C Rationale: Option C is correct because in meta-analysis, effect sizes from individual studies are typically averaged to provide an overall estimate of the magnitude of the effect across all included studies. 5) The effect size A) shows how many participants are in each group. B) is expressed in standard deviation units. C) is the best measure of reliability of the independent variable. D) is held constant in meta-analysis. Answer: B Rationale: Option B is correct because the effect size in meta-analysis is typically expressed in standard deviation units, representing the magnitude of the difference or relationship between variables across studies. 6) An index computed for a study in a meta-analysis indicates A) how many studies agree with the null hypothesis. B) effect size for each individual study. C) which studies evaluated the treatment. D) the number of effective treatments. Answer: B Rationale: Option B is correct because an index computed for a study in a meta-analysis typically represents the effect size for that particular study, allowing researchers to assess the magnitude of the effect within each individual study. 7) Which of the following would be used to look at a set of studies on the same topic? A) analysis of covariance B) meta-analysis C) path analysis D) multidimensional scaling Answer: B Rationale: Option B is correct because meta-analysis is specifically designed to examine and synthesize results from multiple studies on the same topic, providing a comprehensive overview of the research findings in the field. 8) ________ is a statistical procedure for combining the results of multiple studies on the same topic. A) ANOVA B) MANCOVA C) Meta-analysis D) Inter-analysis Answer: C Rationale: Option C is correct because meta-analysis is the statistical procedure specifically designed for combining and analyzing results from multiple studies on the same topic, enabling researchers to derive more robust conclusions. 9) A meta-analysis gives more weight to a study A) with more participants. B) from a research university. C) with more authors. D) with positive results. Answer: A Rationale: Option A is correct because in meta-analysis, studies with larger sample sizes typically receive more weight in the analysis, as they contribute more reliable estimates of the effect size compared to studies with smaller sample sizes. 10) A scientist who wishes to review a series of studies on a given topic will most likely use a(n) A) ANOVA. B) meta-analysis. C) correlation. D) experiment. Answer: B Rationale: Option B is correct because a scientist interested in reviewing and synthesizing results from multiple studies on a given topic would likely use meta-analysis, as it allows for the systematic aggregation of findings across studies to derive more comprehensive conclusions. 11) The effect size shows A) whether there were sufficient numbers of participants in each group. B) how strongly the dependent variable affected the independent variable. C) how strongly the independent variable affected the dependent variable. D) whether there were sufficient numbers of conditions to be tested. Answer: C Rationale: The effect size indicates the strength of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, providing information on the magnitude of the effect observed in a study. 12) A meta-analysis starts by calculating A) response latencies. B) linear regression. C) effect sizes. D) average deviations. Answer: C Rationale: Meta-analysis begins by calculating effect sizes, which quantify the magnitude of the relationship between variables across multiple studies, enabling researchers to synthesize findings from various sources. 13) The overall effect size computed in a meta-analysis indicates numerically A) how strongly the independent variable affected the dependent variable. B) how strongly the dependent variable affected the independent variable. C) the strength of the correlation between studies. D) the likelihood that adequate controls were used. Answer: A Rationale: The overall effect size in a meta-analysis represents the average strength of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables across all included studies. 14) Typically in scientific research, A) research areas are assessed primarily through cost-benefit analysis. B) literature reviews are used to examine a research area. C) meta-analyses are used to correct procedural errors. D) effect sizes are used to control for homogeneity of variance. Answer: B Rationale: Literature reviews are commonly used in scientific research to examine and synthesize existing knowledge and research findings within a specific area, providing a foundation for further investigation. 15) Setting a stringent alpha level A) guards against Type II errors. B) creates Type I errors. C) converts Type I errors into Type II errors. D) guards against Type I errors. Answer: D Rationale: Setting a stringent alpha level helps guard against Type I errors by reducing the likelihood of incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis when it is actually true. 16) Standard literature review procedures A) underestimate the importance of statistical significance. B) have no weaknesses. C) ignore alpha levels. D) may perpetuate the Type II error problem. Answer: D Rationale: Standard literature review procedures may perpetuate the Type II error problem by failing to adequately consider and synthesize the statistical significance of findings across studies, potentially leading to inaccurate conclusions or overlooked effects. 17) A Type II error occurs when we conclude that there is A) no effect when there actually is no effect. B) an effect when there actually is no effect. C) no effect when there actually is one. D) an effect and there actually is one. Answer: C Rationale: A Type II error occurs when we fail to reject the null hypothesis when it is actually false, leading to the incorrect conclusion that there is no effect when there actually is one. 18) Consistently making Type II errors in a field of research A) would strengthen the field. B) would significantly truncate the cumulative knowledge. C) significantly expands the cumulative knowledge. D) would increase the likelihood of Type I errors. Answer: B Rationale: Consistently making Type II errors in a field of research would significantly truncate the cumulative knowledge by failing to detect true effects or relationships, potentially leading to incomplete or misleading conclusions. 19) Meta-analysis techniques A) are rarely used in psychology. B) have been around for nearly two centuries. C) are fairly new. D) have essentially replaced the ANOVAs previously used in psychology. Answer: C Rationale: Meta-analysis techniques are relatively new in psychology compared to traditional methods like ANOVA, but they have become increasingly popular for synthesizing research findings and estimating effect sizes across studies. Test Bank for Research Methods: A Process of Inquiry Anthony M. Graziano, Michael L. Raulin 9780205900923, 9780205907694, 9780135705056
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