Question 1

Which of the following best describes the purpose of using random selection in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To give every member of the population an equal chance of being included in the sample, enhancing generalizability

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

Which of the following is an example of an operational definition for 'stress levels in university students'?

Accepted Answer

The number of times a student reports feeling anxious in a week

Question 4

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: as sleep increases, stress decreases.

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates the third-variable problem in correlational research?

Accepted Answer

A study finds that ice cream sales and drowning rates are correlated, but both are influenced by temperature.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A test must be reliable to be valid.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The presence or absence of the experimenter

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

They are subject to response bias and social desirability effects.

Question 10

A researcher wants to determine if a new teaching method causes improved test scores. Which design should be used?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Question 11

Which of the following best describes internal validity?

Accepted Answer

The degree to which a study is free from confounding variables and measures what it intends to within the study

Question 12

A researcher measures the same group of participants' anxiety levels at two different times and finds a correlation of $r = 0.90$. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The measure has high test-retest reliability.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a confounding variable in an experiment testing the effect of music on mood?

Accepted Answer

Participants' prior mood before the experiment

Question 14

Why can't naturalistic observation be used to determine cause and effect?

Accepted Answer

Because it lacks control over variables and does not manipulate any variables

Question 15

Which ethical principle was violated in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Question 16

A researcher wants to study a rare brain injury in a single patient, collecting detailed behavioral and historical data. Which method is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Case study

Question 17

Which of the following best describes external validity?

Accepted Answer

The degree to which the results of a study can be generalized to other settings and populations

Question 18

Which of the following is a key advantage of using a case study?

Accepted Answer

It provides rich, detailed descriptions of rare or unusual phenomena.

Question 19

A researcher is concerned that participants may guess the purpose of a study and change their behavior. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Demand characteristics

Question 20

Which of the following formulas represents the range of possible values for a correlation coefficient?

Accepted Answer

$-1.0 \leq r \leq +1.0$

WEEK 2 - RESEARCH METHODS

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards