Deck 1: Psychological Research and the Research Methods Course

Question 1

Data Analysis and Statistical Decisions: Briefly describe the main results of the study. (Hint: If you are having trouble understanding the Results section, read the beginning of the Discussion section or the Abstract for a synopsis).

Answer 1

(a) Men's handshakes were firmer than women's handshakes; (b) People with firm handshakes were more extraverted, less shy, and less neurotic compared to those with less firm handshakes; (c) women with a firm handshake were more open to new experiences compared to women with a less firm handshake; (d) people with a firm handshake made a better first impression than those without a firm handshake.

Question 2

Literature Review: Briefly describe some of the research reviewed in the introduction.

Answer 2

The authors reviewed research on (a) characteristics of handshakes, such as strength and duration; (b) handshaking and personality (e.g., that the strength of a handshake is positively correlated with dominance); and (c) handshakes and first impressions, noting that no empirical studies have been conducted in this area.

Question 3

Decisions in Terms of Past Research and Theory: Was the hypothesis supported? How do these results fit in with past research?

Answer 3

In general, the hypotheses were supported. The results are consistent with past literature on etiquette and business (related to the importance of having a firm handshake). Chaplin et al. related their results back to research on the relationship between personality and behavior, behavior and impression formation, and gender issues.

Question 4

Hypothesis: What was the hypothesis or hypotheses? (Note: There were several hypotheses related to gender, personality, and first impressions)

Question 5

A formal statement of the relation among the variables or factors of interest in a particular research area is a(n)

A) hypothesis.
B) research plan.
C) theory.
D) experiment.

Question 6

Janell has discovered in her literature review that people often learn by imitation and observation (termed social learning). For example, when children see an adult behave violently toward a doll, they often imitate this violent behavior. Janell decides to do a study in which children who are initially afraid of snakes either view an adult playing with a snake or view nothing at all. She thinks that the children who view an adult playing with a snake will be more likely to later pet a snake than children who view nothing at all. Which of the following statements best represents the hypothesis?

A) "Social learning refers to the idea that people often learn by imitation and observation."
B) "Children who view an adult playing with a snake will be more likely to later pet a snake than children who view nothing at all."
C) "Past research has found that when children see an adult behave violently toward a doll, they often imitate the violent behavior."
D) All of the above can be considered hypotheses.

Question 7

The general plan for selecting participants, assigning participants to experimental conditions, controlling extraneous variables, and gathering data is known as the

A) hypothesis.
B) theory.
C) research design.
D) literature review.

Question 8

Which of the following steps in the research process occurs AFTER the data are collected?

A) formulate the hypothesis
B) conduct a literature review
C) make decisions in terms of past research and theory
D) consider theories relevant to your project

Question 9

The first step in the research process is to

A) review the literature on your topic.
B) develop a research plan.
C) find a problem or question to examine.
D) consider the relevant theories.

Question 10

Research Design: Briefly describe the research design. For example, how many participants were in the study? What did those participants do as part of their participation?

Question 11

Finding a New Problem: Did the authors of this study suggest new research based on these results? Explain.

Question 12

Which of the following steps in the research process will often result in doing statistics?

A) analysis of research findings
B) decisions in terms of past research and theory
C) theoretical considerations
D) literature review

Question 13

According to the textbook, psychologists utilize many different research designs to answer the diverse questions that they pose. Which of the following is NOT one of the research designs used by psychologists?

A) Ex post facto studies
B) Experiments
C) Qualitative research studies
D) All of the above are used by psychologists.

Question 14

A theory is designed to

A) organize existing scientific data.
B) guide new research.
C) Both (a) and (b).
D) None of the above.

Question 15

Which of the following components of the research process should be conducted first?

A) conducting the project
B) literature review
C) coming up with the hypothesis
D) analysis of research findings

Question 16

Theoretical Considerations: What theory or theories guided this research (if any)?

Question 17

"Students who have been given extra credit will report more satisfaction with their course than students who have not been given extra credit." This statement best represents a(n)

A) theory.
B) hypothesis.
C) extraneous variable.
D) problem.

Question 18

Problem: Briefly describe the problem under investigation. In other words, what were the researchers interested in studying?

Question 19

The experimenter's predicted outcome of a research project is the

A) research hypothesis.
B) research theory.
C) research design.
D) research report.

Question 20

A "literature review" refers to

A) researchers reviewing their writing before publishing it in a professional journal.
B) researchers reviewing their presentation before presenting it at a professional society meeting.
C) consulting previous research on a topic.
D) None of the above.

Question 21

Which of the following is a reason given in your textbook for why the Research Methods course is important?

A) A course in research methods can help with other psychology courses.
B) A course in research methods can help with research that students may conduct in their post-graduation jobs.
C) A course in research methods can help students become more savvy consumers of research.
D) All of above.

Question 22

What are the two basic properties of all theories?

Question 23

Describe several advantages associated with taking a Research Methods course.

Question 24

Briefly describe the steps involved in the research process.

Question 25

Distinguish between a theory and a hypothesis.