Q: Which formula correctly represents the calculation of range in a data set?

$$\text{Range} = \text{Maximum} - \text{Minimum}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main difference between descriptive and correlational research methods in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive research observes and records behavior without manipulating variables, while correlational research examines the relationship between two variables without implying causation.

Question 2

In the Festinger and Carlsmith (1959) experiment, participants were paid either $$1 or 20 to $$lie about enjoying a boring task. According to cognitive dissonance theory, which group reported liking the task more and why?

Accepted Answer

Those paid $1, because the insufficient payment led to greater cognitive dissonance, which they resolved by convincing themselves they liked the task.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Ignoring alternative explanations for findings

Question 4

A researcher observes children on a playground to study aggression without interfering. What type of research method is being used?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 5

Which of the following statements about correlation is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Correlation measures the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

Question 6

In psychological research, what is a confound?

Accepted Answer

A variable that provides an alternative explanation for the results, making it difficult to draw valid conclusions.

Question 7

Which statistical measure is most affected by extreme scores in a data set?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Question 8

A psychologist wants to study the relationship between hours spent daydreaming and age. She finds that as age increases, hours spent daydreaming decreases. What type of correlation is this?

Accepted Answer

Negative correlation

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of archival analysis in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Analyzing suicide notes collected over several years

Question 10

In the bystander effect experiment by Darley & Latane (1968), what was the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The number of bystanders present

Question 11

Which of the following best illustrates a case study in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Intensively studying one individual with multiple personalities over several years

Question 12

If a researcher wants to summarize the most common score in a data set, which measure of central tendency should they use?

Accepted Answer

Mode

Question 13

Which formula correctly represents the calculation of range in a data set?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Range} = 	ext{Maximum} - 	ext{Minimum}$$

Question 14

Which of the following is a disadvantage of correlational research?

Accepted Answer

It cannot determine causality.

Question 15

What is the main purpose of random assignment in experimental research?

Accepted Answer

To eliminate initial group differences and reduce confounds.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of subject bias in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Participants behave differently because they know they are being observed.

Question 17

Which formula represents the calculation of variance in a data set?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Variance} = \frac{\sum (x_i - \mu)^2$}{N}$$

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of unobtrusive observation?

Accepted Answer

Analyzing the contents of garbage to study recycling habits

Question 19

If a psychologist wants to measure the spread of scores around the mean, which statistical measure should they use?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Question 20

Which of the following is a potential source of experimenter bias?

Accepted Answer

The experimenter unintentionally influencing participants' behavior or responses

Overview of Psychological Research Methods and Key Experiments

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