Question 1

Which of the following best illustrates the difference between random selection and random assignment in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Random selection refers to how participants are chosen from the population, while random assignment refers to how those participants are placed into experimental conditions.

Question 2

A researcher finds a correlation of $$r = -0.75$$ between hours of screen time and hours of sleep in teenagers. What does this correlation indicate?

Accepted Answer

As screen time increases, hours of sleep tend to decrease, and the relationship is strong.

Question 3

Which of the following is a primary limitation of descriptive research methods such as naturalistic observation and case studies?

Accepted Answer

They are usually weak for demonstrating cause and effect.

Question 4

A psychologist wants to test whether a new teaching method improves memory. She randomly assigns students to either use the new method or the standard method, then measures their test scores. In this experiment, what is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The teaching method used (new vs. standard)

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the placebo effect?

Accepted Answer

A change that occurs because participants expect improvement, not because of the active treatment.

Question 6

Why is it important to use double-blind procedures in experiments?

Accepted Answer

To reduce both participant and researcher expectancy effects that could bias the results.

Question 7

A researcher finds that ice cream sales and drowning incidents are positively correlated. Which of the following is the best explanation for this finding?

Accepted Answer

A third variable, such as hot weather, increases both ice cream sales and swimming, which can lead to more drownings.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of an illusory correlation?

Accepted Answer

Believing that full moons cause more emergency room visits, even though data do not support this.

Question 9

What is the main advantage of using random assignment in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

It increases the internal validity by reducing the risk that pre-existing differences explain the results.

Question 10

Which of the following best defines internal validity?

Accepted Answer

The degree to which a study supports a causal conclusion by minimizing alternative explanations.

Question 11

A researcher uses a survey to measure students’ attitudes toward online learning. Which of the following is a potential limitation of this method?

Accepted Answer

Survey responses may be influenced by wording, honesty, or memory errors.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about reliability and validity is correct?

Accepted Answer

A measure can be reliable without being valid.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a demand characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Participants change their behavior because they pick up cues about how they are expected to act.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the difference between statistical significance and practical significance?

Accepted Answer

Statistical significance means the result is unlikely to be due to chance, while practical significance means the effect is large or meaningful in real life.

Question 15

A psychologist observes children on a playground to describe patterns of interaction. Which research method is being used?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 16

Which of the following is a measure of central tendency that is most affected by extreme scores?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Question 17

A researcher wants to know if a new therapy reduces anxiety more than the standard therapy. She randomly assigns participants to either the new therapy or the standard therapy and measures their anxiety levels after treatment. What is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Participants' anxiety levels after treatment

Question 18

Which of the following is a threat to internal validity?

Accepted Answer

Confounding variables

Question 19

Why is peer review important in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

It allows researchers to accumulate evidence and improve the quality of scientific knowledge.

Chapter 2: Research Methods in Psychology – Mini-Textbook Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards