Q&A Hero

Q: Critics of President Bush's environmental policies accused him of willfully distorting the intended meaning of scientific reports and testimony. If so, he was guilty of which of the following violations of ethical information use? a. the myth of the mean b. false analogy c. quoting out of context d. presenting only one point of view

Q: What form of information is especially effective for arousing audience emotions? a. definitions b. examples c. expert testimony d. statistics

Q: Inferential statistics tell the researcher which participant's score is the most significant.

Q: The inference that a significant result for a sample will also hold true for the population is based on the principle of probability.

Q: Statistical differences can be determined by simply comparing mean scores. If the mean scores are different, then the difference is statistically significant.

Q: Sally tells engaging stories, but when she uses them in her speeches, they are rarely effective because they do not "ring true" with what the audience already knows about her topic. Her use of narrative violates what basic principle? a. sensationalism b. coherence c. fidelity d. viability

Q: Which form of testimony is most effective for establishing complicated assertions? a. expert b. lay c. prestige d. academic

Q: Match the following terms and descriptions of statistical tests of differences. Some responses can be used more than once. 1) Stetistical test for determining if differences among categories are statistically significant. 2) Can test for an interaction effect. 3) Statistical test for determining differences between two group of the independent variable on a continuous level dependent variable. 4) The data for all variables in this statistical test must be nominal or categorical. 5) Is an extension of the t-test. 6) Two nominal variables are displayed in a contingency table. 7) Represented by 8) This test cannot determine causal statements about the data. 9) The one independent variable must be a nominal variable composed of only two groups. 10) Is represented by the symbol F A. ANOVA B. Chi-squre C. t-test

Q: Which form of testimony is most associated with quoting historic heroes and legendary sports figures? a. expert b. reluctant c. lay d. prestige

Q: When a researcher uses an ANOVA, you can assume that: A.the independent and dependent variables are both nominal level data. B.the independent and dependent variables are both continuous level data. C.the independent variable is nominal level data and the dependent variable is continuous level data. D.the independent variable is continuous level data and the dependent variable is nominal level data. E.Any of above.

Q: The t-test is: A.restricted to one independent variable. B.restricted to one dependent variable. C.restricted to two groupings or categories of the independent variable. D.can test independent or dependent groups. E.all of the above.

Q: Which source of testimony would be the best choice for illustrating the real-life consequences of issues? a. expert b. reluctant c. lay d. prestige

Q: Which sources of testimony are qualified by training and experience? a. expert b. reluctant c. lay d. prestige

Q: In presenting the results for a statistical test of difference, the researcher should report the: A.statistical test. B.level of probability or significance achieved. C.degrees of freedom for the test. D.the null hypothesis. E.all but d.

Q: What highly effective form of information invokes the words of respected authorities speaking against their own apparent interests? a. expert testimony b. reluctant testimony c. triangular testimony d. ironic testimony

Q: The chi-square: A.compares the observed frequency with the expected frequency. B.is best used with continuous level data. C.tests for differences between two groups. D.tests for the relationship between two continuous level variables. E.can test for an interaction effect.

Q: Degrees of freedom: A.are used to assess the normality of the data. B.are a way in which researchers account for variation due to error. C.are the mistakes the researcher admits to in conducting the experiment. D.the number of participants who did not respond. E.are the same for all statistical tests.

Q: _____ narratives are the most commonly used form of story-telling in public speaking. a. Embedded b. Master c. Vicarious experience d. Comedic

Q: Inferential statistics are used to: A.describe the basic properties of scores. B.determine the normality of the data. C.draw conclusions about a population by examining the data from a sample. D.compute the standard deviation. E.describe the practical significance of the results.

Q: The statement "Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of all time" best reflects a. an interpretation. b. an explanation. c. an opinion. d. prestige testimony.

Q: What form of information is best exemplified by the statement, "Imagine the fate of a small child without adequate health care"? a. figurative statistics b. hypothetical example c. figurative example d. literal example

Q: A frequency is used to: A.indicate the mode of the scores. B.assess the dispersion of the scores. C.report on the occurrence of communication events. D.compute percentages. E.c and d.

Q: The statement "According to Consumer Reports, at 34 mpg the Ford Escape Hybrid offers the best gas mileage of any vehicle in its class" best reflects a. an opinion. b. fact-based interpretation. c. statistical derivation. d. statistical structuration.

Q: The further out a score is on the distribution, the: A.more skewed the score. B.more common the score. C.more extreme the score. D.more normal the score. E.more likely the score will fall beyond the +/-4 deviation.

Q: What form of information should be our first objective when researching speech topics? a. definitions b. expert opinions c. engaging narratives d. the facts

Q: The standard deviation is the: A.lowest score given by any participant. B.indication of how close or how far apart scores are from one another. C.computation found by adding all scores and dividing by the number of cases. D.computation found by subtracting the lowest score from the highest score. E.score reported most often by participants.

Q: Popular opinion polls best exemplify what form of supporting information? a. statistics b. brief examples c. lay testimony d. liberal

Q: The mean: A.is the most commonly reported measure of central tendency. B.is the most sensitive to extremely high or low scores. C.depends upon each and every score. D.is also known as the average. E.all of the above.

Q: Why is it crucial to explain what factual information means for your audience? a. because objectivity does not really exist b. to support ideas and claims c. audience rarely pay adequate attention d. because of the self-fulfilling prophecy

Q: A skewed curve is: A.symmetrical. B.characterized by identical left and right slopes. C.characterized by the mean, median, and mode in the same location. D.characterized by the data being bunched to one side or the other. E.a theoretical distribution of scores.

Q: The normal curve is: A.a theoretical distribution of scores. B.characterized by the majority of cases at one end of the curve. C.asymmetrical. D.characterized by very few very high or very few very low scores. E.the distribution of participants' scores for all variables.

Q: Achieving statistical significance indicates that the findings have social and practical application.

Q: By _____, we mean the use of information that has been fabricated or distorted beyond reason to advance a hidden agenda. a. propagation b. singular explication c. disinformation d. rhetoric

Q: Supporting information and materials are important to public speaking because a. they encourage listeners to take our messages seriously. b. they help our messages withstand doubt and controversy. c. they add human appeal to our assertions. d. all of the above.

Q: The recency of information on the Internet relates to the cost of purchasing the information.

Q: Significance levels are never set at levels other than .05.

Q: A significance level of .05 means that 5 out of 100 findings that appear to be valid will, in fact, be due to chance.

Q: All percentages are computed on 100 as the base.

Q: Material that is accurate and reliable should be verifiable through other sources.

Q: To determine the authority of information you find on the Internet, you should evaluate the credentials of both the source and the sponsor of the information.

Q: In considering the distribution of scores, there are four standards to the right of the midpoint, and four standards to the left of the midpoint.

Q: Differentiating between advocacy Web sites and information Web sites is always a simple process.

Q: Advocacy sites are inherently unreliable.

Q: Two distributions of scores can have the same mean, but different spreads of scores.

Q: Most distributions of scores have only one score that occurs most often.

Q: Anyone can put anything on the Internet.

Q: To compute the median, the data must be arranged in order from lowest to highest score.

Q: A reinforcer question in an interview provides encouragement for elaboration.

Q: Mean, median, and mode are measures of central tendency.

Q: Mayoclinic.com is generally considered one of the most authoritative government sources of medical information available.

Q: The letter n or N represents the number of cases for which data is reported.

Q: Unless you specify the source of information, or indicate in some way that a passage is a direct quotation, you could find yourself inadvertently committing plagiarism.

Q: Descriptive statistics supply information about the variables, but the researcher must make value judgments or inferences about what the data mean.

Q: American Rhetoric offers the most comprehensive and authoritative online anthology of American speeches available.

Q: In a skewed distribution, the mean is always pulled to the side with the long tail.

Q: LexisNexis offers an excellent database for researching news articles and popular periodicals.

Q: The Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature focuses exclusively on specialty magazines.

Q: General search engines employ robots to develop their indices.

Q: It is impossible to find information on the Internet that is not biased by partisan interests.

Q: A source file should record facts, figures, and quotations.

Q: A subject file records researched facts, quotations, and examples.

Q: The online catalogue is the most valuable resource in the library.

Q: Personal knowledge provides enough resources for a speech if you are knowledgeable.

Q: Using personal knowledge as part of your presentation will harm your credibility.

Q: Speakers should avoid using timely information of which listeners will probably not be aware.

Q: Responsible knowledge best reflects your own personal opinions.

Q: When evaluating a Web site, you should consider all of the following except a. if the author or sponsoring agency is identified. b. the importance of never using advocacy sites. c. whether links to other reputable sites are identified. d. whether the information provided is up to date.

Q: A negatively skewed curve represents a distribution in which there are very few scores on the right side of the distribution.

Q: Generally, it is not meaningful to analyze or interpret a score on one variable from one individual.

Q: What kind of follow-up is being used when the interviewer states, "If I understand you correctly, you"re saying . . .."? a. mirror question b. verifier c. reinforcer d. probe

Q: Match the following terms and the descriptions. Some responses can be used more than once. 1) The null hypothesis is retained even though the null hypothesis is false. 2) The null hypothesis is rejected even though the null hypothesis is true. 3) Researcher claims some difference or relationship exists when one does not 4) Researcher misses claiming a difference or relationship that is real A. Type I Error B. Type II Error

Q: An interviewer who says, "That's interesting. Could you tell me more about how you felt at the meeting?" is asking which of the following question types? a. mirror question b. verifier c. reinforcer d. probe

Q: Your text offers all of the following advice for conducting Web searches except a. use quotation marks to restrict searches to a given phrase. b. use AND, OR, and minus signs to expand or focus searches. c. follow search terms with "site:gov" or "site:edu" to narrow your searches to those specific domains. d. all of the above advice and more are offered.

Q: Match the following terms and descriptions: 1)Number of sources from which data were collected. 2)Describes the spread of scores 3)Describe how the majority of participants responded. A. Number of cases B. Measures of dispersion C. Measures of central tendency

Q: Your text provides all of the following advice for avoiding chance plagiarism except a. take careful notes. b. paraphrase expert opinions accurately. c. when in doubt, consult your instructor. d. your text provides all of the above advice.

Q: Your text offers all of the following advice for preparing for researching a topic except a. plan and use your time carefully. b. read with an open mind. c. avoid the use of e-mailed media prompts. d. carefully record your information and source data.

Q: Match the following terms and descriptions: 1)Information about communication phenomena, of which numbers are one type. 2)Participants' numerical responses to questionnaire. 3)Summary information about the data set as a whole. 4)Information about the relationships between or among variables. 5)All participants' responses compiled together. A. Data B. Raw data C. Descriptive statistics D. Inferential statistics E. Dataset

Q: Hypothesis testing: A.relies on sampling and significance levels. B.is really decision making about accepting the alternative explanation or retaining the null hypothesis. C.allows for Type I and Type II error. D.is used in research projects based on quantitative methods. E.all of the above.

Q: Unless your instructor says otherwise, you are generally not encouraged to use Wikipedia without checking with your instructor because a. most of its entries fail the test of recency. b. entries are user-contributed and not always peer reviewed. c. its very format reflects a clear left-wing bias. d. most professors do not like the Internet.

Q: A significance level is: A.the degree to which research findings have utility. B.the degree to which the sample mirrors the population. C.the term used to described research that has social significance. D.the level of error the researcher is will to accept for each statistical test. E.based solely on sample size.