POS 3703 - CH.3-5 EXAM QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
cross-tabulation - Answers a table that shows the distribution of cases across the values of a
dependent variable for cases that have different values on an independent variable.
curvilinear relationship - Answers the relationship between the independent variable and the
dependent variable depends on which interval or range of the independent variable is being
examined.
dependent variable - Answers The variable that represents the effect in a causal explanation
direct relationship - Answers a relationship that runs in a positive direction: An increase in the
independent variable, per capita GDP, is associated with an increase in the dependent variable,
political rights and freedoms
hypothesis - Answers a testable statement about the empirical relationship between cause and effect.
independent variable - Answers The variable that represents a causal factor in an explanation
intervening variable - Answers a variable that acts as a go-between or mediator between an
independent variable and a dependent variable.
inverse relationship - Answers a relationship that runs in a negative direction: An increase in the
independent variable, age, is associated with a decrease in the dependent variable, the likelihood of
supporting same-sex marriage.
line chart - Answers Chart that displays a bar chart for the age-same-sex marriage cross-tabulation.
Can help to describe relationships between variables.
linear relationship - Answers A relationship where an increase in the independent variable is
associated with a consistent increase or decrease in the dependent variable.
mean comparison table - Answers a table that shows the mean of a dependent variable for cases that
have different values on an independent variable.
negative relationship - Answers A relationship where the lower value of the independent variable is
associated with a higher value of the dependent variable.
positive relationship - Answers A relationship where the lower value of the independent variable is
associated with a lower value of the dependent variable.
additive relationship - Answers A relationship where the control variable is a cause of the dependent
variable but defines a small compositional difference across values of the independent variable.
compositional difference - Answers any characteristic that varies across categories of an independent
variable.
control group - Answers Group which is composed of subjects who do not receive the treatment that
the researcher believes is causally linked to the dependent variable.
controlled comparison - Answers Comparison which is accomplished by examining the relationship
between an independent and a dependent variable, while holding constant other variables suggested
by rival explanations and hypotheses.
controlled comparison design - Answers Design that allows the researcher to observe the effect of the
independent variable on the dependent variable while holding constant other plausible causes of the
dependent variable.
experimental design - Answers Design that ensures that the test group and the control group are the
same in every way, except one—the independent variable. Because the independent variable is the
only way the groups are not alike, any differences on the dependent variable can be attributed to the
independent variable.
external validity - Answers When the results of a study can be generalized—that is, its findings can be
applied to situations in the nonartificial, natural world.
field experiment - Answers Experiment in which the control and test groups are studied in their
normal surroundings, living their lives as they naturally do, probably unaware that an experiment is
taking place.
interaction relationship - Answers A relationship where the relationship between the independent
variable and the dependent variable depends on the value of the control variable.
internal validity - Answers Validity which means that, within the conditions created artificially by the
researcher, the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is isolated from other
plausible explanations.
laboratory experiment - Answers Experiment in which the control group and the test group are
studied in an environment created wholly by the investigator.
cross-tabulation - Answers a table that shows the distribution of cases across the values of a
dependent variable for cases that have different values on an independent variable.
curvilinear relationship - Answers the relationship between the independent variable and the
dependent variable depends on which interval or range of the independent variable is being
examined.
dependent variable - Answers The variable that represents the effect in a causal explanation
direct relationship - Answers a relationship that runs in a positive direction: An increase in the
independent variable, per capita GDP, is associated with an increase in the dependent variable,
political rights and freedoms
hypothesis - Answers a testable statement about the empirical relationship between cause and effect.
independent variable - Answers The variable that represents a causal factor in an explanation
intervening variable - Answers a variable that acts as a go-between or mediator between an
independent variable and a dependent variable.
inverse relationship - Answers a relationship that runs in a negative direction: An increase in the
independent variable, age, is associated with a decrease in the dependent variable, the likelihood of
supporting same-sex marriage.
line chart - Answers Chart that displays a bar chart for the age-same-sex marriage cross-tabulation.
Can help to describe relationships between variables.
linear relationship - Answers A relationship where an increase in the independent variable is
associated with a consistent increase or decrease in the dependent variable.
mean comparison table - Answers a table that shows the mean of a dependent variable for cases that
have different values on an independent variable.
negative relationship - Answers A relationship where the lower value of the independent variable is
associated with a higher value of the dependent variable.
positive relationship - Answers A relationship where the lower value of the independent variable is
associated with a lower value of the dependent variable.
additive relationship - Answers A relationship where the control variable is a cause of the dependent
variable but defines a small compositional difference across values of the independent variable.
compositional difference - Answers any characteristic that varies across categories of an independent
variable.
control group - Answers Group which is composed of subjects who do not receive the treatment that
the researcher believes is causally linked to the dependent variable.
controlled comparison - Answers Comparison which is accomplished by examining the relationship
between an independent and a dependent variable, while holding constant other variables suggested
by rival explanations and hypotheses.
controlled comparison design - Answers Design that allows the researcher to observe the effect of the
independent variable on the dependent variable while holding constant other plausible causes of the
dependent variable.
experimental design - Answers Design that ensures that the test group and the control group are the
same in every way, except one—the independent variable. Because the independent variable is the
only way the groups are not alike, any differences on the dependent variable can be attributed to the
independent variable.
external validity - Answers When the results of a study can be generalized—that is, its findings can be
applied to situations in the nonartificial, natural world.
field experiment - Answers Experiment in which the control and test groups are studied in their
normal surroundings, living their lives as they naturally do, probably unaware that an experiment is
taking place.
interaction relationship - Answers A relationship where the relationship between the independent
variable and the dependent variable depends on the value of the control variable.
internal validity - Answers Validity which means that, within the conditions created artificially by the
researcher, the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is isolated from other
plausible explanations.
laboratory experiment - Answers Experiment in which the control group and the test group are
studied in an environment created wholly by the investigator.
