Question 1

Which of the following best describes the placebo effect in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

It is the phenomenon where participants experience changes simply because they believe they are receiving treatment, even if the treatment is inactive.

Question 2

A researcher wants to test whether a new therapy reduces anxiety. She randomly assigns participants to either the therapy group or a control group. What is the primary reason for using random assignment in this study?

Accepted Answer

To increase the likelihood that differences between groups are due to the therapy and not pre-existing differences.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a correlation that does NOT imply causation?

Accepted Answer

Higher ice cream sales are associated with increased drowning incidents.

Question 4

In the context of psychological research, what is the main ethical concern highlighted by the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

Accepted Answer

Violation of informed consent and withholding treatment from participants.

Question 5

A psychologist is designing a study to test the effect of sleep deprivation on memory. She wants to ensure her results are valid. Which type of validity is she most concerned with if she wants her findings to generalize to real-world settings?

Accepted Answer

External validity

Question 6

Which formula correctly calculates the mean ($\mu$) of a data set with $n$ values $x_1, x_2, ..., x_n$?

Accepted Answer

$\mu = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i}{n}$

Question 7

A researcher finds a statistically significant correlation between hours spent studying and exam scores. Which statistical concept should she use to determine if this relationship is likely due to chance?

Accepted Answer

Inferential statistics

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the difference between reliability and validity in psychological measurement?

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to consistency of results; validity refers to whether a test measures what it claims to measure.

Question 9

Which ethical principle is most directly violated if participants are not told about the risks involved in a study?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Question 10

A psychologist wants to compare the effectiveness of two teaching methods. She collects test scores from students in both groups. Which statistical measure should she use to describe the variability in scores within each group?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Question 11

Which of the following is a key safeguard against error in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Employing systematic observation and controlled experimentation

Question 12

If a distribution of test scores is normal, what percentage of scores falls within one standard deviation ($\sigma$) of the mean ($\mu$)?

Accepted Answer

About 68%

Question 13

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of replication in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Repeating a study with different participants and finding similar results.

Question 14

A researcher calculates the correlation coefficient ($r$) between two variables and finds $r = 0.85$. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

A strong positive relationship between the variables.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method as applied in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Drawing conclusions based on anecdotal evidence

Question 16

A study finds that children who eat breakfast perform better in school. Which of the following would best help determine if breakfast causes better performance?

Accepted Answer

Using random assignment in an experimental design

Question 17

Which formula is used to calculate the standard deviation ($\sigma$) of a sample with $n$ values $x_1, x_2, ..., x_n$ and mean $\mu$?

Accepted Answer

$\sigma = \sqrt{\frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n} (x_i - \mu)^2}{n-1}}$

Question 18

Why is peer review important in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

It helps maintain scientific integrity by having experts evaluate the quality and validity of research before publication.

Question 19

A psychologist is evaluating a claim made in the media about a new therapy. Which of the following should she consider to critically assess the claim?

Accepted Answer

If the claim is supported by peer-reviewed research and sound methodology.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes inferential statistics in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Statistics used to draw conclusions about a population based on sample data.

Chapter 2: Research Methods – Vital Safeguards Against Error

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards