A Researcher Who Is Studying Methods of Decreasing Test Anxiety

question 16

Multiple Choice

A researcher who is studying methods of decreasing test anxiety decides to measure anxiety in a group of volunteers both before and after an experimental intervention. He finds that anxiety levels are lower after the intervention. However, when reviewing his results, the researcher notes that the first test occurred about a week before midterm exams and the second test occurred two weeks after the exams. This study appears to have a problem with ____.

• A) internal validity
• B) external validity
• C) reliability
• D) accuracy

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Definitions:

Orbital

A region around the nucleus of an atom where there is a high probability of finding an electron.

Lone Pair Electrons

Pairs of valence electrons that are not shared with another atom and are localized on a single atom in a molecule.

Azeotropic Mixture

A mixture of two or more liquids that maintains its composition and boiling point during distillation, making it impossible to separate by distillation.

Gaseous Byproduct

A gas produced unintentionally during a chemical reaction or a manufacturing process.