Question 1

Which of the following best describes the purpose of operational definitions in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To translate abstract concepts into specific, measurable procedures

Question 2

A researcher wants to study the relationship between hours spent playing video games and aggression in teenagers. Which research method is most appropriate for this question?

Accepted Answer

Correlational design

Question 3

What is the main advantage of using random selection when choosing participants for a study?

Accepted Answer

It increases the generalizability of the findings to the population.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a third variable (confound) in a correlational study examining the link between having a pet dog and happiness in children?

Accepted Answer

Family income

Question 5

A researcher measures stress in university students by asking them to rate their stress on a scale from 1 to 10. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Operational definition

Question 6

Which of the following statements about reliability and validity is correct?

Accepted Answer

A test must be reliable to be valid, but a reliable test can still be invalid.

Question 7

In an experiment testing whether listening to music improves test performance, what is the dependent variable (DV)?

Accepted Answer

Test performance

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the difference between internal and external validity?

Accepted Answer

Internal validity refers to how well a study is conducted; external validity refers to how applicable the findings are to the real world.

Question 9

A researcher observes children on a playground to study aggressive behavior without interfering. Which research method is being used?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 10

Which of the following is a disadvantage of self-report/survey methods?

Accepted Answer

Participants may respond in socially desirable ways rather than honestly.

Question 11

A study finds a correlation coefficient of $r = -0.85$ between hours of sleep and reported stress levels. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is a strong negative relationship between hours of sleep and stress levels.

Question 12

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of test-retest reliability?

Accepted Answer

A personality test yields similar results when given to the same person one month apart.

Question 13

Why can't causal conclusions be drawn from correlational studies?

Accepted Answer

Because variables are observed, not manipulated, and third variables may be present.

Question 14

In the Stanford Marshmallow experiment, what was the independent variable (IV)?

Accepted Answer

The experimental condition (e.g., presence or absence of the experimenter)

Question 15

Which of the following is an ethical requirement for psychological research involving deception?

Accepted Answer

Participants must be debriefed as soon as possible after the study.

Question 16

A researcher wants to know if a new teaching method causes better exam performance. Which research design should be used?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Question 17

Which of the following is a key feature of experimental research that helps establish causality?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment of participants to conditions

Question 18

A researcher is concerned that their expectations might influence participants' behavior. What is the best way to minimize this bias?

Accepted Answer

Use a double-blind design

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a case study?

Accepted Answer

An in-depth analysis of a single individual with a rare neurological disorder

Question 20

In the context of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, which ethical principle was most clearly violated?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Research Methods in Psychology: Foundations, Designs, and Validity

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