Research Methods in Psychology: Master the Science of Psychology Research

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Reliance on personal beliefs

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Hypothesis testing

Answer

Verification through experimentation

Question 2

In an experiment, the independent variable is the factor that:

Accepted Answer

Is manipulated by the experimenter

Answer

Is dependent on the dependent variable

Answer

Is observed and measured in the experiment

Answer

Proves or disproves the hypothesis

Question 3

Which type of sampling method ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected?

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Question 4

Which statistical test is used to determine the significance of differences between two means when the sample sizes are small?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Correlation analysis

Question 5

The null hypothesis in research proposes that:

Accepted Answer

There is no significant relationship between variables

Answer

There is a significant relationship between variables

Answer

The treatment had an effect

Answer

The sample is representative of the population

Question 6

Which ethical principle requires that participants are provided with sufficient information about the research study before agreeing to participate?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Protection from harm

Answer

Anonymity

Question 7

What is the primary purpose of a control group in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

To serve as a baseline for comparison with the experimental group

Answer

To prove the hypothesis

Answer

To increase the sample size

Answer

To eliminate bias

Question 8

Which of the following can enhance the credibility and validity of a research study?

Accepted Answer

Replicating the study with different samples

Answer

Using a limited sample size

Answer

Relying solely on secondary data

Answer

Disregarding ethical guidelines

Question 9

What is the primary objective of descriptive statistics?

Accepted Answer

To summarize and describe data

Answer

To make predictions about future events

Answer

To draw inferences about a population

Answer

To test the significance of differences between groups

Question 10

Which of the following is a measure of central tendency?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

Range

Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Variance

Question 11

In experimental design, which method is primarily used to reduce the impact of external factors?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment

Answer

Replication

Answer

Blinding

Answer

Counterbalancing

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental step in the research process in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Writing a research paper

Answer

Formulating a hypothesis

Answer

Collecting data

Answer

Designing a study

Question 13

What type of experimental design randomly assigns participants to different groups?

Accepted Answer

Between-subjects design

Answer

Within-subjects design

Answer

Matched-subjects design

Answer

Factorial design

Question 14

What is the primary purpose of a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To make a prediction about the outcome of a study

Answer

To guide the research process

Answer

To explain the results of a study

Answer

To prove the existence of a psychological phenomenon

Question 15

Which of the following is a main advantage of using correlational research?

Accepted Answer

Can observe the relationship between variables

Answer

Can establish causality

Answer

Can be used to make predictions

Answer

Can be used to control for confounding variables

Question 16

What is the primary ethical principle that should guide all psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Respect for participants

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Scientific integrity

Question 17

What is the distinction between a population and a sample?

Accepted Answer

A population is the entire group of interest, while a sample is a smaller subset of that group.

Answer

A population is a set of data, while a sample is a subset of that data.

Answer

A population is a group of people, while a sample is a group of animals.

Answer

A population is a theoretical concept, while a sample is a concrete group of entities.

Question 18

Which of the following statistical tests is used to compare means between two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Correlation

Question 19

What is the fundamental difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative methods focus on words and meanings, while quantitative methods focus on numbers and statistics.

Answer

Qualitative methods are used to explore new phenomena, while quantitative methods are used to test hypotheses.

Answer

Qualitative methods are subjective, while quantitative methods are objective.

Answer

Qualitative methods are typically used in psychology, while quantitative methods are typically used in other fields.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation

Answer

Observation

Answer

Hypothesis formation

Answer

Replication

Question 21

In a double-blind experiment:

Accepted Answer

Neither the participants nor the researchers know the treatment group.

Answer

Only the participants know the treatment group.

Answer

Only the researchers know the treatment group.

Answer

Both the participants and researchers know the treatment group.

Question 22

Which statistical test is appropriate for comparing the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

Independent samples t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 23

The independent variable in an experiment is the:

Accepted Answer

Variable that is manipulated by the researcher.

Answer

Variable that is measured by the researcher.

Answer

Variable that is expected to change as a result of the independent variable.

Answer

Variable that is held constant during the experiment.

Question 24

The placebo effect is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A psychological phenomenon

Answer

A type of bias

Answer

A statistical error

Answer

A research design

Question 25

Which of the following is a qualitative research method?

Accepted Answer

Interviews

Answer

Quantitative surveys

Answer

True experiments

Answer

Meta-analysis

Question 26

What is the fundamental difference between a population and a sample in research?

Accepted Answer

A population encompasses all individuals of interest to the researcher, while a sample represents a smaller subset used to infer about the larger group.

Answer

A population is the subset of interest, while a sample represents the entire group.

Answer

A population consists of individuals accessible to the researcher, while a sample represents the subjects actually studied.

Answer

There is no distinction between a population and a sample.

Question 27

In the context of psychological research, which ethical principle emphasizes obtaining informed consent from participants?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Fidelity

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a threat to the internal validity of a psychological research study?

Accepted Answer

External validity

Answer

Selection bias

Answer

Confounding variables

Answer

Demand characteristics

Question 29

In the scientific method, the independent variable is the one that:

Accepted Answer

Is manipulated by the researcher.

Answer

Is measured by the researcher.

Answer

Is unrelated to the dependent variable.

Answer

Is the expected outcome of the study.

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a valid research design?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative

Answer

Experimental

Answer

Correlational

Answer

Quasi-experimental

Question 31

What is a benefit of random assignment in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

Reduces bias by distributing participants equally across groups.

Answer

Increases the sample size.

Answer

Makes the study more costly.

Answer

Guarantees that the results will be statistically significant.

Question 32

Which statistical test is most appropriate to compare the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 33

Which ethical principle emphasizes minimizing harm to participants?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 34

What is a potential limitation of self-report measures?

Accepted Answer

Participants may provide inaccurate information due to social desirability bias.

Answer

They can only measure overt behaviors.

Answer

They are difficult to administer.

Answer

They are not reliable.

Question 35

Which of the following is an example of naturalistic observation?

Accepted Answer

Observing animals in their natural habitat.

Answer

Conducting a structured interview.

Answer

Administering a questionnaire.

Answer

Running a laboratory experiment.

Question 36

In the scientific method, the first step is to:

Accepted Answer

Observe a phenomenon.

Answer

Formulate a hypothesis.

Answer

Conduct an experiment.

Answer

Draw conclusions.

Question 37

What is a primary benefit of using an experimental design in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Increased internal validity

Answer

Less time and effort required

Answer

Wider generalizability of results

Answer

No need for random assignment

Question 38

Select the statistical test used to compare the means of two groups:

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 39

Identify the primary function of a research hypothesis:

Accepted Answer

Predicting the outcome of a study

Answer

Summarizing the findings of a study

Answer

Explaining the theoretical basis of a study

Answer

Establishing the statistical significance of results

Question 40

Explain the key distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods:

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research emphasizes numerical data, while qualitative research focuses on verbal data.

Answer

Qualitative research emphasizes numerical data, while quantitative research focuses on verbal data.

Answer

Qualitative research adheres to stricter scientific standards than quantitative research.

Answer

There is no fundamental difference between qualitative and quantitative research.

Question 41

Identify the limitation that is NOT associated with observational research designs:

Accepted Answer

Generalizability of findings to wider populations

Answer

Limited control over variables

Answer

Challenges in establishing causal relationships

Answer

Susceptibility to observer bias

Question 42

In psychological research, how does theory contribute to the process?

Accepted Answer

Theory offers a conceptual framework for interpreting and explaining research findings.

Answer

Theory solely provides hypotheses for testing in research.

Answer

Theory's role is limited to influencing quantitative research approaches.

Answer

Theory remains unchanged and unaffected by new research findings.

Question 43

Which of the following is a characteristic of a good research question?

Accepted Answer

It is specific and focused.

Answer

It is too broad.

Answer

It is not relevant to the field of study.

Answer

It is vague and ambiguous.

Question 44

What is the primary purpose of a literature review in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To provide a comprehensive overview of existing research on a specific topic.

Answer

To collect data for statistical analysis.

Answer

To design an experiment.

Answer

To formulate a research hypothesis.

Question 45

Which experimental design is most appropriate for testing the effects of multiple independent variables on a single dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Independent samples t-test

Answer

Matched-pairs t-test

Answer

Correlation analysis

Question 46

What is a key element of a research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

It is a testable prediction about the expected outcome of a study.

Answer

It is a statement of fact.

Answer

It is a summary of the research findings.

Answer

It is a question that guides the research.

Question 47

What is the main purpose of conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a research method or procedure.

Answer

To recruit participants for a larger study.

Answer

To collect data for statistical analysis.

Question 48

Identify the characteristic that is NOT a feature of a valid research design.

Accepted Answer

Subjectivity

Answer

Reliability

Answer

Generalizability

Answer

Objectivity

Question 49

In an authentic experiment, what is the purpose of a control group?

Accepted Answer

To offer a comparison group for identifying the independent variable's effects

Answer

To eradicate confounding variables

Answer

To expand the sample size

Question 50

Which research method involves observing and describing behavior in its natural surroundings?

Accepted Answer

Observational research

Answer

Experimental research

Answer

Correlational research

Answer

Case study research

Question 51

Which of the following measures the consistency of a measurement tool?

Accepted Answer

Reliability

Answer

Validity

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Generalizability

Question 52

Distinguish between a population and a sample.

Accepted Answer

A population represents the entire group of interest, while a sample is a smaller subset selected from the population

Answer

A population is the group not being studied, while a sample is the group being studied

Answer

A population is the group being studied, while a sample is the group being compared

Question 53

Identify a type of descriptive statistic.

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

T-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 54

What is the purpose of a research report?

Accepted Answer

Communicating research findings to others

Answer

Collecting data

Answer

Generating new hypotheses

Answer

Supporting a theory