Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between objective and subjective measurements in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Objective measurements are consistent across instruments and observers, while subjective measurements may vary depending on the observer.

Question 2

A researcher wants to measure anxiety levels in college students using a standardized questionnaire. What property must the questionnaire have to ensure it accurately measures anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Validity

Question 3

Which scenario best illustrates high reliability but low validity in a psychological test?

Accepted Answer

A test consistently measures stress levels but actually assesses physical fitness.

Question 4

In the context of scientific research, what does generalizability refer to?

Accepted Answer

The ability to apply findings from a sample to the larger population.

Question 5

A psychology study uses only undergraduate students as participants. What is a potential problem with this sampling method?

Accepted Answer

It may limit the generalizability of the findings to the broader population.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

What is the placebo effect?

Accepted Answer

Improvement in health or behavior not due to a medication or treatment, but due to expectations.

Question 8

Why are double-blind studies important in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

They prevent both participants and researchers from knowing who receives the treatment, reducing bias.

Question 9

A researcher publishes findings in a peer-reviewed journal, but later it is discovered that the data was fabricated. What should happen according to scientific principles?

Accepted Answer

The study should be retracted from the journal.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes publication bias?

Accepted Answer

The tendency for journals to publish only studies with significant or positive results.

Question 11

In correlational research, what does a correlation coefficient of $$r = -0.85$$ indicate?

Accepted Answer

A strong negative relationship between two variables.

Question 12

Which research design allows a hypothesis to be tested by manipulating an independent variable and measuring its effect on a dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Experimental research

Question 13

A psychologist observes children playing in a park without interfering. What type of research method is this?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 14

Which of the following is a key feature of qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

It describes aspects of data without numerical measurements.

Question 15

A study finds a correlation of $$r = +0.95$$ between ice cream sales and drowning incidents. What is the most likely explanation for this finding?

Accepted Answer

There is a spurious correlation due to a third variable, such as temperature.

Question 16

Which of the following best illustrates operationalization of a variable in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Defining 'stress' as the number of stressful events reported in a questionnaire.

Question 17

A researcher wants to ensure that their measurements of depression are consistent across time and observers. Which property are they trying to maximize?

Accepted Answer

Reliability

Question 18

Which of the following is a technique to reduce experimenter bias in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Using a double-blind study design.

Question 19

A study uses a small sample size and finds a statistically significant effect. What is a potential issue with these findings?

Accepted Answer

The results may not be generalizable to the larger population.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a principle of quality science in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Subjective measurements

Principles of Scientific Research and Research Design in Psychology

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