Deck 2: Research Methodology

Question 1

What does it mean for a theory to be falsifiable?

A)It should not be necessary to collect data to address the theory.
B)It should be based on an extensive literature review.
C)It should be the simplest of competing theories.
D)It should be possible to prove the theory incorrect.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

One of the four main goals of science is explanation.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to explain

A)why a behavior occurs.
B)the steps of the scientific method.
C)how data collection works.
D)why a researcher wants to study a behavior.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Psychologist Jean Piaget observed children to see how they solved problems.Over the course of many studies, he was able to spot general patterns of behavior.This led him to connect different concepts and behaviors within a single

A)theory.
B)hypothesis.
C)experiment.
D)sample.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

One of the four main goals of science is prediction.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to predict

A)what might control a behavior.
B)how many scientific studies are needed to study a phenomenon.
C)when a phenomenon will occur.
D)which type of researchers will investigate a phenomenon.

Question 5

Dr.Sherman is studying marital relationships and wants to be able to determine which types of couples are at the highest risk for divorce.Which of the four primary goals of science is he addressing?

A)description
B)control
C)prediction
D)explanation

Question 6

Which of the following statements is true of theories in science?

A)Good theories lead to a number of testable hypotheses.
B)A good hypothesis will support a number of different theories.
C)Good theories are unlikely to be supported by research findings.
D)A good hypothesis will ultimately replace the theory it was designed to test.

Question 7

How are the scientific goals of description and explanation different?

A)Description aims to identify the state of a research field; explanation aims to discuss the future of a research field.
B)Description aims to characterize what a phenomenon is; explanation aims to illustrate why a phenomenon occurs.
C)Explanation aims to identify the state of a research field; description aims to discuss the future of a research field.
D)Explanation aims to characterize what a phenomenon is; description aims to illustrate why a phenomenon occurs.

Question 8

A group of policymakers is working to address issues of public safety in a residential neighborhood by increasing police presence.Which of the four primary goals of science are they addressing?

A)description
B)control
C)prediction
D)explanation

Question 9

According to some psychologists, Sigmund Freud's theory of the meaning of dreams was not a successful theory because

A)it was too socially controversial.
B)he developed the theory from previous ideas.
C)it did not lead to many testable hypotheses.
D)it was based on research later shown to be invalid.

Question 10

Another word for "hypothesis" is

A)theory.
B)prediction.
C)outcome.
D)naturalistic observation.

Question 11

Based on your text's discussion of scientific inquiry, the goals of psychological science include behavior and mental processes.

A)describing, explaining, and synthesizing
B)explaining, predicting, and preventing
C)describing, predicting, and explaining
D)explaining, synthesizing, and controlling

Question 12

How are a theory and a hypothesis different?

A)A hypothesis is more specific than a theory.
B)A hypothesis and a theory are the same thing.
C)A theory can only be used for one study while a hypothesis can be used for several.
D)A theory is unchanging while a hypothesis can be altered.

Question 13

According to the text, how do hypotheses relate to theories?

A)Hypotheses are specific predictions used to test a theory's prediction.
B)Hypotheses are formulated after a research study and later made into theories.
C)Theories are specific predictions used to test a theory's prediction.
D)Hypotheses always become theories after a study is complete.

Question 14

How do theories reflect the law of parsimony?

A)Good theories should be based on the smallest amount of data possible.
B)Theories should be supported by several researchers.
C)Theories usually do not need to be tested if they are concise.
D)Good theories tend to be the simplest explanations that fit the data.

Question 15

Which of the following formal elements of the scientific method consists of a set of interconnected ideas or concepts?

A)a theory
B)a hypothesis
C)an experiment
D)None of the answer options is correct.

Question 16

One of the four main goals of science is control.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to control

A)the causes of a phenomenon.
B)access to publications about a phenomenon.
C)the institutions that research a phenomenon.
D)the literature on a certain phenomenon.

Question 17

A researcher studying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD) is gathering information on how many children receive an ADHD diagnosis each year.Which of the four primary goals of science is she addressing?

A)description
B)control
C)prediction
D)explanation

Question 18

Dr.Meyers is investigating the relationship between stress and obesity.In his latest study, he found that stress is often associated with overeating and has effects that slow metabolism.Which of the four primary goals of science is he addressing with his most recent work?

A)description
B)control
C)prediction
D)explanation

Question 19

One of the four main goals of science is description.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to describe

A)what laws are needed to reduce dangerous behaviors.
B)what measures to use to assess a phenomenon.
C)which types of research studies would best address the phenomenon.
D)what a phenomenon is.

Question 20

Clara is working on a study to examine shy children's behavior with peers they have not met before.She is developing theories, forming hypotheses, and conducting research to determine if her theory is supported by the data.In what process is she engaged?

A)random selection
B)correlational studies
C)directionality
D)the scientific method

Question 21

When designing a study, scientists must have which of the following?

A)a theory, a testable hypothesis, and a research method
B)a testable hypothesis, participants, and data
C)a theory, level of analysis, and data
D)a research method, participants, and an analysis plan

Question 22

George is looking for a research project.He could use a theory because

A)theories are shown to be true, so subsequent research is successful.
B)one of the benefits of theories is that they lead to testable hypotheses.
C)a theory can be successfully replicated by researchers.
D)theories are likely to result in serendipity, which leads to successful research.

Question 23

As a critical thinker, what question must you ask yourself first when you read, see, or hear about a new research finding?

A)Who were the researchers, and what institution did they come from?
B)Do the results fit with my theory or perspective?
C)How can I prove that the conclusions are untrue?
D)What is the evidence in support of the conclusions?

Question 24

According to your text, when researchers attempt to replicate a study, they must consider whether the

A)methods used in the original study can be easily reproduced.
B)results of the original study were highly significant.
C)context might have changed since the original study.
D)original study was published in an impressive journal.

Question 25

Jordan designs a study to test whether theory A, B, or C offers a better explanation for human behavior.What process is he engaged in?

A)theory development
B)theory refinement
C)theory replication
D)theory modification

Question 26

If a research study is published in a peer-reviewed journal, you can assume that

A)the study had no major flaws.
B)scientists proved their theory.
C)the study was appropriately designed and conducted in an ethical manner.
D)the study has the full support of the scientific community.

Question 27

Another word for "replicate" is

A)review.
B)generalize.
C)repeat.
D)analyze.

Question 28

Dr.Smith reads about a research study investigating whether a reading intervention has a positive effect on children's performances in school.She decides to repeat the same study to see if she obtains similar results.She is engaging in

A)meta-analysis.
B)experience sampling.
C)replication.
D)correlational research.

Question 29

What should you look for when considering if there is "well-supported evidence" to support a scientific claim?

A)whether the results were published in a peer-reviewed journal
B)whether the study was written about in a newspaper
C)whether the results appeared on multiple websites
D)whether the researcher came from an impressive institution

Question 30

An) is a specific, testable prediction about the result that, if the theory is correct, will support the theory.

A)replication
B)hypothesis
C)experiment
D)All of the answer options are correct.

Question 31

Keisha has just analyzed her preliminary data and found an exciting result.How should she share her initial findings?

A)issue a press release and talk to newspaper reporters
B)present her findings at a scientific conference or poster session
C)publish a full report in a peer-reviewed scientific journal
D)wait until she has replicated her results with an independent sample

Question 32

Dr.Henderson wants to conduct research to test her theory that there is a causal relationship between sleep patterns and depressive thoughts.What must she do to test this theory?

A)conduct naturalistic observation
B)use self-report methods
C)collect data systematically
D)rely on positive correlations rather than negative correlations

Question 33

Bianca saw a headline in her online news feed that read, "Scientists discover a new drug that treats depression." As a critical thinker, how should Bianca proceed?

A)Repost the headline with the comment, "Depression is cured!"
B)Read the article to determine the source of the claim.
C)Assume that because it is on the Internet, it must be untrue.
D)Search the Internet to see if other Web sites have posted information about the study.

Question 34

The first step of data analysis is to , and the second step is to .

A)test for significance; report the results
B)test for significance; describe the data
C)describe the data; test for significance
D)describe the data; report the results

Question 35

Scientists conduct , which involves the careful and systematic collection of data.

A)hypotheses
B)replication
C)research
D)reliability

Question 36

According to the textbook, which of the following lists the steps of the scientific method in the correct order?

A)conduct a literature review, design a study, conduct the study, analyze the data, form a hypothesis, report the results
B)form a hypothesis, conduct a literature review, design a study, conduct the study, analyze the data, report the results
C)design a study, conduct the study, conduct a literature review, form a hypothesis, report the results, analyze the data
D)conduct a study, analyze the data, form a hypothesis, report the results, design the study, conduct a literature review

Question 37

According to the textbook, what is the purpose of a literature review?

A)to determine whether previous research has been peer-reviewed
B)to learn how other scientists have tested similar ideas
C)to confirm that other scientists have been biased in their investigations
D)to come up with a question to research

Question 38

Chen has just finished analyzing her data, and she finds that the results did not support her theory. Based on what you know about the scientific method, Chen should

A)discard her theory because it has no proof.
B)discard her data because they do not fit her theory.
C)revise the study and repeat it until it confirms her theory.
D)revise her theory and design a new study to test it.

Question 39

Psychologists have greater confidence in research results when

A)the data involve stimulus judgments.
B)the research has used participant observation.
C)the results are replicated.
D)there is an experimenter expectancy effect.

Question 40

According to the textbook, which of the following lists the steps of conducting a study in the correct order?

A)recruit participants, decide on sample size and type, and collect data
B)recruit participants, collect data, and decide on sample size and type
C)decide on sample size and type, collect data, and recruit participants
D)decide on sample size and type, recruit participants, and collect data

Question 41

Which of the following statements is true of variables in studies?

A)A variable is something that can change but is not measured in a study.
B)A variable is something that can be measured but rarely changes.
C)A variable is that aspect of a study that is unchanging.
D)A variable is something that can change and be measured.

Question 42

Something that can be measured or manipulated by an experimenter is considered

A)a descriptive statistic.
B)data.
C)a confound.
D)a variable.

Question 43

When a researcher joins a social group and talks to the members in order to study that group, the approach is referred to as

A)a self-report method.
B)participant observation.
C)experience sampling.
D)response performance.

Question 44

The systematic recording of overt behavior of human and nonhuman animals in their natural environment involves what research strategy?

A)observational techniques
B)case studies
C)psychophysiological assessments
D)response performance strategies

Question 45

What is the main characteristic that sets case studies apart from other types of studies?

A)the types of measures used
B)the number of people studied
C)the types of psychological phenomenon studied
D)the observational techniques used

Question 46

Pablo is conducting research and trying to determine whether he should monitor the presence versus the absence of a behavior or how long a behavior occurs.What approach to research is he most likely using?

A)psychophysiological assessment
B)observational research
C)self-report method
D)experience sampling

Question 47

Which of the following activities would NOT be considered a descriptive study?

A)taking notes on the behavior of members in a cult
B)measuring the selection of food items in a cafeteria
C)examining the effects of a new medication in alleviating depression
D)counting the number of mating behaviors in baboons in the natural habitat

Question 48

If a researcher wanted to study the behavior of protesters who were in a closed group and did not easily admit new people, the researcher would probably use which of the following approaches to study them?

A)naturalistic observation
B)participant observation
C)meta-analysis
D)closed-ended questions

Question 49

According to the textbook, if you wanted to conduct observational research, but you were concerned that the people you observed would change their behaviors due to reactivity, you could

A)avoid debriefing them.
B)use a blinded study.
C)conduct culturally sensitive research.
D)rule out alternative explanations.

Question 50

In which of the following studies would the concept of reactivity be most relevant?

A)a blind study
B)a case study
C)an observational study
D)an electrophysiological study

Question 51

Jamal wants to find out whether the customers of his coffee shop prefer that he add booths or keep his tables and chairs.A researcher would likely use what kind of study to help Jamal?

A)participant observation
B)self-report
C)correlational
D)experimental

Question 52

When people are aware of being observed, they might change their behaviors.This phenomenon illustrates

A)variability.
B)experimenter expectancy.
C)random assignment.
D)reactivity.

Question 53

If a psychologist's goal is to describe behavior or mental processes, he or she might conduct an) study.

A)experimental
B)descriptive
C)inferential
D)correlational

Question 54

In which of the following types of descriptive studies does a researcher remain separated from the situation and make no attempt to change it?

A)naturalistic observation
B)participant observation
C)longitudinal study
D)cross-sectional study

Question 55

According to the text, variables, by definition,

A)cannot be measured.
B)can be changed or evaluated.
C)can involve random assignment.
D)can be constants.

Question 56

According to the textbook, the best way to become a critical thinker is to

A)memorize a set of questions.
B)read movie and restaurant reviews.
C)go to medical school or graduate school.
D)practice the skill in classes and in everyday life.

Question 57

The Hawthorne effect refers to changes in behavior associated with

A)reactivity.
B)observer bias.
C)experimenter expectancy.
D)informed consent.

Question 58

A researcher studying parent-infant interactions develops a coding system for recording her data.Which of the following is an example of such a system?

A)timing the duration of eye contact between the parent and the infant
B)recording the decibel level of the infant's screams when the parent leaves the room
C)counting the number of times that the infant smiles during the interaction
D)assessing the parent's perceptions about the interaction using a self-report questionnaire

Question 59

Investigators who are interested in quickly gaining a lot of information about group attitudes are likely to use what kind of research approach?

A)case study
B)psychophysical assessment
C)participant observation
D)self-report

Question 60

In which of the following types of descriptive studies do researchers involve themselves in the situation of interest?

A)naturalistic observation
B)participant observation
C)longitudinal study
D)cross-sectional study

Question 61

When researchers collect data in a study, if they unconsciously code a person's behavior to match their expectations, we say there is

A)a directionality problem.
B)an observer bias.
C)a sampling error.
D)reactivity.

Question 62

Socially desirable responding is a potential problem in research because it may

A)clue participants in to researchers' hypotheses.
B)interfere with the integrity of data.
C)cause researchers to fabricate data.
D)indicate a zero correlation.

Question 63

When a researcher manipulates a variable to see what effect the manipulation has on a study participant's behavior, the research design involves

A)a correlational study.
B)an experiment.
C)naturalistic observation.
D)participant observation.

Question 64

When a researcher's bias affects the coding of data, there is a problem with

A)the Hawthorne effect.
B)experimenter expectancy.
C)a third variable.
D)confounds.

Question 65

In scientific research, a researcher's expectations about a study can lead to systematic errors in observation.This phenomenon is called

A)observer bias.
B)critical thinking skills.
C)the third variable problem.
D)the directionality problem.

Question 66

Samir is conducting a correlational study, and he cannot determine whether one variable causes another.One reason for this indetermination is that the additional variables that he did not study could influence the variables he did study.This result reflects the problem with

A)selection bias.
B)response accuracy.
C)the third variable problem.
D)the occurrence of random error.

Question 67

In correlational studies, it is always possible that an unmeasured variable is responsible for the relation of interest.This complication is known as

A)observer bias.
B)experimenter expectancy effects.
C)the directionality problem.
D)the third variable problem.

Question 68

Which of the following is likely to be associated with observer bias?

A)reactivity
B)experience sampling
C)experimenter expectancy
D)the Hawthorne effect

Question 69

The psychologist Robert Rosenthal told student researchers that some rats in a study would learn a task quickly and others would learn the task slowly.In reality, there was no difference in the rats' abilities to learn the task.When the students tested the rats, the animals' learning matched what the students were told.These results reflect the

A)Hawthorne effect.
B)experimenter expectancy effect.
C)directionality problem.
D)third variable problem.

Question 70

The variable that a researcher manipulates in an experiment is called the

A)independent variable.
B)dependent variable.
C)confounding variable.
D)stimulus.

Question 71

When two variables are correlated, it is not clear which one is a causal variable and which is an effect. This ambiguity reflects

A)the third variable problem.
B)random error.
C)selection bias.
D)the directionality problem.

Question 72

Researchers are likely to choose a correlational design when

A)they are concerned that there will be a third variable problem.
B)the directionality problem is likely.
C)it is impossible to control the variables being studied.
D)they are using psychophysiological assessments.

Question 73

In correlational studies, we cannot interpret which variable may be the cause and which variable may be the effect.This phenomenon is known as

A)observer bias.
B)experimenter expectancy effects.
C)the directionality problem.
D)the third variable problem.

Question 74

In which of the following types of study do researchers examine the extent to which variables are naturally related in the real world that is, there is NO attempt by the researcher to influence the relation among the variables)?

A)descriptive
B)case
C)experimental
D)correlational

Question 75

Gwen is studying the effects of comedic film on depressed participants.She is concerned that the data collectors will produce biased observations if they know the purpose of the study.She should address this problem by using an) study.

A)blind
B)correlational
C)experimental
D)descriptive

Question 76

If a researcher collecting data does NOT know a study's hypothesis, the study is a study.

A)blind
B)confounded
C)meta-analytic
D)reactivity

Question 77

In observational studies, participants sometimes show reactivity.A related phenomenon in self-report studies is called

A)participant observation.
B)experimenter expectancy.
C)socially desirable responding.
D)the third variable problem.

Question 78

A researcher interested in pigeon behavior discovers that the pigeons behave differently whenever they are being observed by a research assistant.This is called

A)the Hawthorne effect.
B)the Goodall effect.
C)the observer effect.
D)Occam's razor.

Question 79

Using correlational studies, Dr.Shemmassian studies whether exposure to violence in the media leads to violent behavior.Suppose she finds that participants who have been exposed to more violence in the media are, in general, more violent, but it is not clear which one causes the other.The problem in interpreting her results involves

A)directionality.
B)selection bias.
C)sampling error.
D)confounds.

Question 80

There is a correlation between depression and memory: When people suffer from depression frequently, they often display worse memory than people who suffer from depression less frequently.Genetics, however, may have an effect on a study participant's depression and memory.This combination of factors is known as

A)selection bias.
B)the experimenter expectancy effect.
C)the directionality problem.
D)the third variable problem.