Question 1

Which step in the scientific method involves making observations and collecting data to answer a research question?

Accepted Answer

Design and conduct a study

Question 2

In an experiment studying the effect of sleep on memory, the number of hours participants sleep is the:

Accepted Answer

Independent variable

Question 3

Which of the following best describes an operational definition in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

A description of a variable in terms of how it will be measured or manipulated

Question 4

A convenience sample is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Include participants who are easily accessible to the researcher

Question 5

Which research method is best suited for in-depth investigation of a single individual or small group?

Accepted Answer

Case study

Question 6

What is a key characteristic of naturalistic observation?

Accepted Answer

The researcher observes behavior in the subject's natural environment

Question 7

Which of the following is an advantage of using surveys in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

They allow researchers to collect data from a large number of participants quickly

Question 8

Which statement is true about psychological tests?

Accepted Answer

They are standardized, meaning they are administered and scored using specific procedures

Question 9

What does reliability refer to in psychometric assessments?

Accepted Answer

The degree to which an assessment provides consistent scores across time and place

Question 10

Which of the following situations might test-retest reliability be particularly important?

Accepted Answer

A research team is developing a new test to measure current mood in patients with mood disorders

Question 11

Why is random assignment an essential part of good experimental design?

Accepted Answer

It increases equivalency between groups, reducing the odds of confounding variables affecting the results

Question 12

What is the purpose of making an experiment single-blind or double-blind?

Accepted Answer

To reduce experimenter effects and demand characteristics

Question 13

Which of the following practices might improve the internal validity of an experiment?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment

Question 14

Which of the following is an advantage of longitudinal research over cross-sectional research?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal designs allow us to examine the development of various psychological phenomena

Question 15

Given the dataset: 22, 30, 31, 25, 42, 36. Calculate the range using the formula $	ext{Range} = 	ext{Max} - 	ext{Min}$.

Accepted Answer

$20$

Question 16

Which correlation coefficient indicates the strongest relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

$-0.85$

Question 17

What does the third-variable problem refer to in correlational research?

Accepted Answer

The presence of an unmeasured variable that may influence both variables being studied

Question 18

Which $p$-value would indicate a statistically significant relationship was found between two variables?

Accepted Answer

$0.01$

Question 19

When writing a research paper in APA style, which of the following is required for a parenthetical citation?

Accepted Answer

Author's last name and year of publication

Psychology Research Methods: Structured Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions