Question 1

Which step in the scientific method involves making a testable prediction about the outcome of an experiment?

Accepted Answer

Generate a hypothesis

Question 2

A researcher wants to study the effect of a new drug on blood pressure. Which variable is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

The dosage of the new drug

Question 3

Which APA ethical principle emphasizes the importance of maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to research participants?

Accepted Answer

Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

Question 4

In a study involving children with decisional impairment, which TWO criteria must be met for ethical participation?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent from parent or guardian and assent from participant

Question 5

Which historical study led to major changes in research ethics due to its failure to inform participants of their diagnosis and withholding treatment?

Accepted Answer

Tuskegee Syphilis Study

Question 6

A researcher observes students in a cafeteria without interacting with them. Which research method is being used?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 7

What is the main risk of using deception in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

It may invalidate the informed consent process

Question 8

Which of the following best describes internal validity?

Accepted Answer

The degree to which results can be attributed to the independent variable and not confounds

Question 9

A study finds a correlation coefficient $$r = 0.85$$ between hours studied and exam scores. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is a strong positive relationship between hours studied and exam scores

Question 10

If a data set has values: 3, 5, 7, 7, 9, what is the mode?

Accepted Answer

7

Question 11

Calculate the range for the following data set: 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42.

Accepted Answer

$$42 - 4 = 38$$

Question 12

Which of the following is the formula for variance ($$s^2) in a $$sample?

Accepted Answer

$$s^2$$ = \frac{\sum (x_i - \bar{x}$$)^2$$}{n-1}$$

Question 13

A researcher wants to generalize findings from a study to all Canadian university students. Which type of validity is most relevant?

Accepted Answer

External validity

Question 14

Which of the following is a potential consequence of the Hawthorne effect in research?

Accepted Answer

Participants may change their behavior because they know they are being observed

Question 15

In the context of research ethics, what is situational vulnerability?

Accepted Answer

A situation where participants are at risk of exploitation due to their circumstances

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a descriptive research method?

Accepted Answer

Experimental method

Question 17

What is the main function of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

Accepted Answer

To review research for compliance with ethical principles

Question 18

If the standard deviation of a data set is $$\sqrt{5.7}$$, what is its value rounded to one decimal place?

Accepted Answer

$$2.4$$

Question 19

According to the 5% rule in inferential statistics, what does it mean if the probability of an event is less than 5%?

Accepted Answer

The event is considered rare

Question 20

Which unethical practice was common to both the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and Canadian nutrition experiments in residential schools?

Accepted Answer

Targeting marginalized and vulnerable populations

Chapter 2: Methods – Scientific Method, Research Ethics, and Research Design

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards