Psych Homework1

Name:

Homework # 1 (20 pts)

PSYCH 2300

Due: 9/17 in Carmen Dropbox

1. The following is a statement based on experience that does not take a comparison group into account. (1) Think of a comparison group that would help you evaluate the conclusion, (2) draw out a 2 x 2 matrix to compare outcome, and (3) write down as many confounds as you can think of related to this conclusion (6 pts):

“Texting makes people feel emotional closer to their friends”

Confounds:

2. Using PsychInfo, search for the author “Douglas Derryberry” and answer the following questions:

a. How many total results are provided by the search for the author? (1pt)

b. What is the title of the 9th result (journal article) provided by the search? (1pt)

c. List all of the information about this article provided in the “source” section: (1pt)

d. How many times has this article been cited by others (according to PsychInfo)? Hint: NOT “Cited References” (1pt)

3. Matthew is reading an empirical journal article and wants to know whether the authors used the Big Five Inventory (BFI-44) or the NEO-PI to measure extraversion. In which section would he find this information? (1pt)

a. Introduction

b. Method

c. Results

d. Discussion

e. References

4. Which of the following is NOT usually found in the Introduction section of an empirical journal article? (1pt)

a. The specific research question, goal, or hypothesis for the study

b. Theoretical background for the study

c. A full bibliographic listing of all the articles the authors cited in writing their article

d. A rationale for why the current study is important or adds to existing knowledge

e. An explanation of the general topic of the study

5. Lana is writing her first empirical journal article. Although she thinks she knows why she found the results she did, she also wants to mention some alternative explanations for her...