Deck 2: Research Methods

Question 1

All of the following are steps in the research process, except

A) thinking about a behaviour.
B) searching the literature.
C) forming a hypothesis.
D) collecting and analyzing data.

Answer 1

thinking about a behaviour.

Question 2

Which of the following describes the correct order of steps in the research process?

A) form a hypothesis, form a question, search literature, create an operational definition
B) form a question, search literature, form a hypothesis, create an operational definition
C) form a question, create an operational definition, form a hypothesis, search literature
D) search literature, form a question, form a hypothesis, create an operational definition

Answer 2

form a question, search literature, form a hypothesis, create an operational definition

Question 3

A researcher described aggressiveness as verbal or physical actions directed at another child on the playground. This is an example of

A) operational definition.
B) theory.
C) research question.
D) hypothesis.

Answer 3

operational definition.

Question 4

A hypothesis meets all of the following criteria, except

A) it asks a question about a behaviour.
B) it states a cause and effect relationship.
C) it must be testable.
D) it makes a prediction.

Question 5

Children are more aggressive if they see aggression on television is an example of a(n)

A) operational definition.
B) theory.
C) research question.
D) hypothesis.

Question 6

In the research process, a literature review would most likely investigate all of the following except

A) journal articles.
B) Web articles.
C) popular press magazines.
D) on-line databases.

Question 7

A theory enhances the research findings by providing

A) a description of the behaviours.
B) a prediction about the behaviours.
C) an explanation of the behaviours.
D) a method of treating the behaviours.

Question 8

In the opening section of this chapter, statistics are presented about the relationship between breast implants, mortality rates, and prevalence of suicide in women. To fully understand what conclusions can be made from this data, it is important to understand

A) the different types of breast implants.
B) the difference between experimental and control groups.
C) the difference between correlational and experimental findings.
D) the difference between the demographics of research participants.

Question 9

The prediction that as the number of people present increase, the probability of people helping someone in need decreases is known as a(n)

A) operational definition.
B) research question.
C) theory.
D) hypothesis.

Question 10

A specific procedure or measure that one uses to test a hypothesis is known as the

A) hypothesis.
B) operational definition.
C) theory.
D) research question.

Question 11

If you want to determine whether people are more willing to help men or women, the variable "helping" requires a(n)

A) theory.
B) research question.
C) hypothesis.
D) operational definition.

Question 12

All of the following are methods of collecting data, except

A) observation.
B) survey or interview.
C) statistical analysis.
D) experiments.

Question 13

An organized set of principles used to explain observed phenomena is known as a(n)

A) research question.
B) theory.
C) operational definition.
D) hypothesis.

Question 14

All of the following are potential problems with using Web-based surveys, except

A) participants may answer the survey more than one time.
B) missing data may be more prevalent than in standard self-reports.
C) participants may attract a much more diverse representation.
D) all response options may not be read.

Question 15

The first step in scientific method is

A) search the literature.
B) form a hypothesis.
C) form a question.
D) collect and analyze data.

Question 16

What is the fifth step in the scientific method?

A) collect and analyze data
B) form a hypothesis
C) propose and/or revise a theory
D) create an operational definition

Question 17

Andy searches the PsychINFO database for research studies that have been conducted on marital satisfaction and income. He is taking part in which step of the scientific method?

A) the final step
B) the fourth step
C) the first step
D) the second step

Question 18

Gene believes that the more social interactions one has over the course of a day, the happier a given individual is likely to be. This is an example of a(n)

A) literature search.
B) theory.
C) hypothesis.
D) experiment.

Question 19

A(n) _________________ is a specific procedure of how you will test a hypothesis.

A) meta-analysis
B) correlation
C) theory
D) operational definition

Question 20

In his research, Darnell says that happiness will be measured by how many times his participant smiles in the course of a half-hour period. This is Darnell's _____________ of happiness.

A) operational definition
B) archival research
C) theory
D) hypothesis

Question 21

Which of the following is not a limitation of using the Internet to conduct research?

A) Participants in web-based studies may skip items.
B) Web-based studies are likely to include repeat participants.
C) Web-based studies allow for a more diverse pool of participants.
D) Participants in web-based studies may not read items carefully.

Question 22

How does a theory differ from a hypothesis?

A) Hypotheses provide explanations while theories do not.
B) Hypotheses do not make predictions about the association between two events while theories do.
C) Theories provide explanations while hypotheses do not.
D) None of these is correct.

Question 23

The murder of Kitty Genovese in New York City inspired research on helping behaviour and bystander apathy. This example illustrates that studies in social psychology are often based on

A) hypotheses.
B) personal experiences.
C) common sense.
D) real-world events.

Question 24

A ____________________ discovers what other researchers have found out about a particular topic.

Question 25

A testable prediction about the conditions under which an event will occur is known as a(n) _________________.

Question 26

A specific procedure or measure that one uses to test a hypothesis is known as a(n) _______ _______.

Question 27

An organized set of principles used to explain observed phenomena is called a(n) _______.

Question 28

Researchers who count the number of times a child pushes, hits, or kicks other children on a playground is most likely using which specific research method?

A) experimental
B) naturalistic observation
C) archival
D) survey

Question 29

"Reality" television programs like Big Brother or The Bachelorette, where people are filmed interacting with each other, are similar to which _______________ research method?

A) correlational
B) observational
C) archival
D) cross-cultural

Question 30

A researcher interested in the differences between individualistic and collectivist cultures, examines the newspaper reports of Olympic medal winners. This research approach is

A) survey.
B) experimental.
C) archival.
D) case study.

Question 31

Two students in Professor Smith's social psychology class conduct separate research for a term paper on relationships. Jody sits in the park and counts the number of couples holding hands, while Lucy looks up census information about marriages and common-law relationships in Canada. Jody is conducting ______________ research while Lucy is doing ___________ research.

A) observational; experimental
B) observational; archival
C) correlational; archival
D) archival; correlational

Question 32

Jim wanted to collect research studies on one topic and prepare a conclusion based on those studies through a

A) survey.
B) experiment.
C) correlation.
D) literature review.

Question 33

After collecting research studies through a literature review, Kyla analyzes the data in a research approach known as

A) survey.
B) meta-analysis.
C) experiment.
D) correlation.

Question 34

All of the following are advantages of the naturalistic or observational methods, except

A) they are based on real-world situations.
B) no extensive equipment is needed.
C) participants will 'see' the researcher.
D) it is relatively easy to conduct.

Question 35

All of the following are limitations of observational research, except

A) extensive equipment is not needed for measurement of behaviours.
B) observer's presence may influence behaviours.
C) observer bias may influence interpretation of behaviours.
D) does not demonstrate cause and effect.

Question 36

Students were asked in a class to reveal the time they spent on the web. The data showed that the more time spent on the web, the lower the student's class grade. This relationship represents a

A) positive correlation.
B) negative correlation.
C) no correlation.
D) multi linear correlation.

Question 37

There is a correlation between height and IQ. This is an example of

A) negative correlation.
B) cause and effect from a correlation.
C) multilinear correlation.
D) probable third variable - age.

Question 38

Students who attended more lecture classes received higher grades. This relationship represents a

A) positive correlation.
B) negative correlation.
C) no correlation.
D) inverse correlation.

Question 39

While at the mall, Casie was stopped by a man with a clipboard. The man asked her opinions about the stores at the mall. Casie remarked that the man was conducting a(n)

A) experiment.
B) observational study.
C) case history.
D) survey.

Question 40

All of the following are advantages of the survey method, except

A) can easily collect data from large numbers of participants.
B) relatively inexpensive to administer.
C) can demonstrate cause and effect.
D) can gather data on things that can not be directly observed.

Question 41

When asked, people were more likely to agree to add a constitutional amendment than to change the constitution. This demonstrates the problems encountered in

A) attitude clarification.
B) leading questions.
C) event-recording.
D) behavioural measures.

Question 42

Researchers using a survey may discover conflicting responses due to

A) behavioural clarification.
B) wording of the questions.
C) recording of the events.
D) attitude clarification.

Question 43

A researcher asks adolescents to record their mood whenever the researcher signals them via their cell phone. This is an example of the use of

A) dependent variables.
B) open-ended questions.
C) event-recording measures.
D) survey observations.

Question 44

All of the following are limitations to the survey method and may influence responses, except

A) wording of the questions.
B) response options.
C) number of questions.
D) order of the questions.

Question 45

One limitation of survey use is

A) response options that are very limited.
B) large numbers of participants can complete surveys.
C) participants can report attitudes.
D) low cost of implementation.

Question 46

All of the following are limitations of the survey method, except

A) inaccurate responses.
B) bias from wording of questions.
C) large numbers of respondents.
D) problems with response options.

Question 47

To avoid inaccuracy associated with socially desirable responding, research may rely on

A) overt measures.
B) covert measures.
C) social measures.
D) cognitive measures.

Question 48

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) is used to measure racial prejudice through the use of a

A) cognitive measure.
B) social measure.
C) covert measure.
D) overt measure.

Question 49

The relationship between time spent watching violent television and aggression is an example of

A) inter-rater reliability.
B) a theory.
C) correlation.
D) meta-analysis.

Question 50

Literature reviews and archival research are both forms of

A) the observational approach.
B) surveys.
C) self-report.
D) None of these is correct.

Question 51

Use of already-recorded behaviour is referred to as

A) a survey.
B) a literature review.
C) archival research.
D) a meta-analysis.

Question 52

How do a meta-analysis and literature review differ from one another?

A) They are exactly the same thing.
B) Both look at a number of studies, but a meta-analysis analyzes the data that comes from those studies while a literature review simply forms a conclusion based on the studies.
C) Both look at a number of studies, but a literature review analyzes the data that comes from those studies while a meta-analysis simply forms a conclusion based on the studies.
D) They are completely dissimilar and have no overlap.

Question 53

What has been found regarding heat and aggression?

A) Violent crimes occur more frequently in hotter regions of countries.
B) Violent crimes occur more frequently in the summer than the winter.
C) Hotter summers are associated with more violent crimes.
D) All of these have been found.

Question 54

Dr. Murrow is conducting a study. She has her research assistants, Scott and Tina, separately watch the same videos of children getting a vaccination and rate the child's pain response based on facial expressions. Why did Dr. Murrow most likely have both Scott and Tina look at the same videos?

A) Dr. Murrow simply made a mistake.
B) Dr. Murrow wants to be able to calculate inter-rater reliability.
C) Dr. Murrow wants to be able to analyze their data separately and write up two different research reports.
D) Dr. Murrow wants to get both a male and female perspective on pain.

Question 55

Which of the following is likely to be a negative correlation?

A) the number of people in a small space and the likelihood of a fight breaking out
B) the hours spent studying for an exam and grades on that exam
C) the amount of time spent petting a dog and stress level
D) the amount of violent TV viewed and likelihood of aggression

Question 56

In a ____________ correlation, when one variable increases, the other variable also increases.

A) positive
B) negative
C) non-existent
D) social cognitive

Question 57

Event-recording is one type of

A) self-report.
B) observational method.
C) archival data.
D) meta-analysis.

Question 58

In a survey, the question "How many times have you cheated on your partner?" is likely to lead to biased findings because

A) it has limited response options.
B) it is a leading question.
C) it is socially desirable.
D) it is none of the researcher's business.

Question 59

If a researcher wants to avoid dishonesty in their research participants, what might the researcher use?

A) a survey
B) covert measures
C) a meta-analysis
D) event-recording

Question 60

Research by Masuda et al. (2008) measuring eye gaze found

A) Japanese participants prefer to look at photographs rather than cartoons.
B) Western participants prefer to look at cartoons rather than photographs.
C) Japanese participants paid more attention to contextual factors than Western participants.
D) Western participants paid more attention to contextual factors than Japanese participants.

Question 61

The research technique that examines the extent to which two or more variables are associated with one another is known as

A) observational research.
B) correlational research.
C) experimental research.
D) archival research.

Question 62

If you are interested in counting the number of people who smile as you pass them smiling, then you are conducting

A) archival research.
B) observational research.
C) a meta-analysis.
D) an experiment.

Question 63

Corrine was interested in examining a relationship between the phase of the moon and criminal activity. Examining lunar calendars and crime records, Corrine is involved in

A) archival research.
B) observational research.
C) experimental research.
D) meta-analysis.

Question 64

In an effort to examine changing gender roles in the United States, Achmed analyzed data from studies that were conducted over a 25 year period. Achmed is involved in

A) archival research.
B) observational research.
C) experimental research.
D) meta-analysis.

Question 65

In observational research, the extent to which two or more coders agree on ratings of a particular measure is referred to as

A) inter-rater reliability.
B) inter-rater validity.
C) observer-measure reliability.
D) observer-measure validity.

Question 66

Why do researchers want to have a high degree of inter-rater reliability?

A) High inter-rater reliability means that researchers can make causal statements.
B) High inter-rater reliability means that the variables had good operational definitions.
C) High inter-rater reliability means that observer bias is less likely.
D) High inter-rater reliability means that there is positive correlation between variables.

Question 67

Researchers who looked at the number of days that people did not see their significant other and satisfaction with the relationship and found a moderate negative correlation. From this information, we could conclude that

A) more days apart causes people to be more satisfied with their relationship.
B) people are not satisfied with their relationship because they don't see each other.
C) as the number of days apart increase, the satisfaction with the relationship decreases.
D) more days apart causes people to be less satisfied with their relationship.

Question 68

What is the underlying assumption of the Implicit Association Test (IAT)?

A) Everyone is prejudiced.
B) People will respond slower to pairs of words that are strongly associated.
C) People will respond faster to pairs of words that are strongly associated.
D) Prejudice can be measured through duration of eye gaze.

Question 69

If you have a negative correlation between two variables, you can conclude that an increase in one causes a decrease in the other.

Question 70

The placement of questions on a survey do not influence responses.

Question 71

When responding to a survey, respondents tend to select the highest frequency options.

Question 72

The affiliation of the interviewer has been shown to influence survey responses.

Question 73

People tend to agree more with positive worded survey items than negatively worded items.

Question 74

A technique that examines the extent to which two or more variables are associated with one another is known as a(n) _______.

Question 75

The collection of research studies on one particular topic in an effort to reach a conclusion based on these studies is known as a(n) _______ ______.

Question 76

The type of research used to describe and measure peoples' behaviour in everyday situations is known as naturalistic or ________ method.

Question 77

Research that uses already recorded behaviour is known as _______ research.

Question 78

A literature review that also analyzes data from many different studies is known as a(n) ______.

Question 79

In order to minimize observer bias, two people independently do the ratings and see how often they agree to obtain _______ _______.

Question 80

_______ _______ measures are a particular type of self-reports, where participants report various experiences they have at regular time intervals.