Q: A researcher finds a statistically significant difference between two groups with $p < 0.05$. What does this mean?

The difference is unlikely to have occurred by chance.

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A statement that describes the procedures and specific measures used to record observations of a variable.

Question 2

A researcher wants to measure stress levels in university students. Which of the following approaches best demonstrates objectivity in measurement?

Accepted Answer

Using a standardized cortisol saliva test administered by trained technicians.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a threat to the reliability of a psychological measure?

Accepted Answer

Scores on a test vary widely when administered to the same group at different times.

Question 4

A study finds that shoe size is highly consistent across repeated measurements but does not predict intelligence. What does this illustrate about reliability and validity?

Accepted Answer

Shoe size is a reliable but invalid measure of intelligence.

Question 5

Which sampling technique is most likely to improve the generalizability of research findings to a broader population?

Accepted Answer

Random sampling

Question 6

A psychologist observes that participants change their behavior when they know they are being watched. This phenomenon is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Hawthorne effect

Question 7

Which technique is most effective in reducing both researcher and participant bias in a sensitive psychological study?

Accepted Answer

Double-blind study

Question 8

A case study of Phineas Gage provided unique insights into brain function. What is a major limitation of using case studies in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Findings may not generalize to other individuals.

Question 9

Which of the following statements about correlational research is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Correlational research measures the strength and direction of association between two variables.

Question 10

If a correlation coefficient is $r = -0.85$, what does this indicate about the relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

A strong negative relationship

Question 11

In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the researcher is called the:

Accepted Answer

Independent variable

Question 12

A researcher randomly assigns participants to either a treatment or control group. What is the primary purpose of random assignment?

Accepted Answer

To balance confounding variables across groups

Question 13

Which of the following is a key difference between experimental and quasi-experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

Experimental designs allow for control over confounding variables through random assignment.

Question 14

A psychologist wants to study the effect of sleep deprivation on memory. She measures memory performance before and after sleep deprivation in the same group of participants. What type of experimental design is this?

Accepted Answer

Within-subjects design

Question 15

Which ethical principle requires that participants are informed about the study's purpose, procedures, and risks before agreeing to participate?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Question 16

A researcher collects data on anxiety levels and stores the information in a password-protected file, ensuring that no names are attached to the data. Which ethical principle is being upheld?

Accepted Answer

Anonymity

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of quality scientific research?

Accepted Answer

Results are kept secret to protect intellectual property

Question 18

A distribution of test scores has a long tail to the right. What type of skew does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Positively skewed

Question 19

Which measure of central tendency is most affected by extreme scores in a skewed distribution?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Question 20

A researcher finds a statistically significant difference between two groups with $p < 0.05$. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

The difference is unlikely to have occurred by chance.

Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research in Psychology

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