Deck 2: The Tools of Psychological Research

Question 1

Scientific method always begins with:

A)generation of a hypothesis
B)clairvoyance
C)observation
D)detection of regularities

Answer 1

observation

Question 2

Scientific method always ends with:

A)generation of a hypothesis
B)clairvoyance
C)observation
D)detection of regularities

Answer 2

observation

Question 3

A researcher who observes a behavior, detects regularities in the behavior, generates a hypothesis about the behavior, and checks the accuracy of his or her predictions through additional observation is utilizing:

A)the scientific method
B)naturalistic observation
C)logical induction
D)good experimental control

Answer 3

the scientific method

Question 4

A hypothesis:

A)is a conclusion based on the results of a research study
B)is not necessary if the scientific method is being used
C)normally wouldn't be generated until a study has been completed
D)is a prediction about the characteristics of a behavior under investigation

Question 5

Operational definitions:

A)ensure the results of a scientific investigation will be externally valid
B)define concepts in terms of how they will be measured
C)are only necessary in experimental studies
D)define concepts in abstract terms

Question 6

Dr.Bores predicts that if the temperature of a room is increased, then individuals are more likely to act aggressively.Dr.Bores' prediction is an example of:

A)a hypothesis
B)an independent variable
C)an operational definition
D)a dependent variable

Question 7

The multistep technique that generates empirical knowledge through systematic observation of the world is:

A)logical induction
B)systematic introspection
C)hypothesis generation
D)scientific method

Question 8

Dr.Chung is watching parents interact with teachers during their end-of-quarter conferences to discuss their children's grade reports and recording the characteristics of these interactions.Which step in scientific method is this?

A)clairvoyance
B)detect regularities
C)observe
D)generate a hypothesis

Question 9

When concepts are defined in terms of the way in which they will be measured, those concepts are said to be:

A)hypothetical variables
B)externally valid
C)internally valid
D)operationally defined

Question 10

Defining TV violence in terms of the number of times someone hits, kicks, or yells at a person or an object within a one-hour episode of a specific show would:

A)represent an operational definition of TV violence
B)be a testable hypothesis about TV violence
C)provide empirical verification of TV violence
D)violate general research ethics

Question 11

Which of the following is part of scientific method?

A)systematic introspection
B)detect regularities
C)statistical reasoning
D)clairvoyance

Question 12

Scientific method:

A)stresses logic as opposed to observation
B)generates empirical knowledge
C)tries to detect irregularities
D)avoids operational definitions

Question 13

Which of the following is part of scientific method?

A)systematic introspection
B)logical induction
C)generate a hypothesis
D)clairvoyance

Question 14

Which of the following is part of scientific method?

A)observation
B)systematic introspection
C)statistical reasoning
D)clairvoyance

Question 15

Defining intelligence in terms of performance on a psychological test would:

A)represent an operational definition of intelligence
B)be a testable hypothesis about intelligence
C)provide empirical verification of intelligence
D)violate general research ethics

Question 16

Dr.Sanchez predicts that if the noise level in a room is increased, then individuals are more likely to make errors on a complex task.Dr.Sanchez's prediction is an example of:

A)an independent variable
B)an operational definition
C)a hypothesis
D)a dependent variable

Question 17

A prediction about the characteristics of a behavior under investigation is called:

A)an inferential statistic
B)an operational definition
C)a hypothesis
D)a dependent variable

Question 18

Which of the following is part of scientific method?

A)systematic introspection
B)logical induction
C)clairvoyance
D)check for accuracy of the hypothesis

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT involved in scientific method?

A)observation
B)generation of a hypothesis
C)testing a hypothesis for accuracy
D)clairvoyance

Question 20

Dr.Klein is watching parents interact with teachers during their end-of-quarter conferences to discuss their children's grade reports to see if there are any consistent features in behavior that commonly appear.Which step in scientific method is this?

A)clairvoyance
B)detect regularities
C)observe
D)generate a hypothesis

Question 21

Francine was a participant in an observational study, and her behavior changed simply as a result of being watched.Technically, what had occurred?

A)the placebo effect
B)experimental control
C)participation
D)reactivity

Question 22

Dr.Barant is studying reaction times and plans to define reaction time in terms of the time it takes to press a button on a display panel.Defining reaction time in this way would:

A)be a testable hypothesis
B)provide empirical verification of the concept
C)represent an operational definition
D)violate general research ethics

Question 23

Dr.Boser is studying family relations and plans to define family cohesiveness in terms of the number of weekly activities families do together.Defining family cohesiveness in this way would:

A)be a testable hypothesis
B)provide empirical verification of the concept
C)violate general research ethics
D)represent an operational definition

Question 24

External validity refers to:

A)measuring the results of a behavior, rather than the behavior itself
B)any research result obtained using noninvasive observation procedures
C)effectively controlling any potentially confounding variables in an experiment
D)how well the results of an observation will generalize to other situations

Question 25

Reactivity occurs when:

A)researchers react to the results of a study before the study is completed
B)there is a strong public response to a published research study
C)an individual's behavior is changed by the process of being observed
D)researchers attempt to manipulate or change the behavior of research participants

Question 26

People's behavior sometimes changes simply because they are being observed.This effect is known as:

A)external validity
B)standard deviation
C)experimental control
D)reactivity

Question 27

A good operational definition of aggression might be:

A)behavior intended to harm someone or something
B)a violent response most often accompanying frustration or anger directed toward someone
C)the number of times someone hits, kicks, or yells at a person or an object within a 1-hour period
D)a personality characteristic in which the individual tends to solve problems with violence

Question 28

When the results of a scientific observation are representative of real life, the results:

A)have internal validity
B)have scientific regularity
C)have been operationally defined
D)have external validity

Question 29

Jiao was a participant in an observational study, and reactivity occurred.Technically, this means:

A)the researchers reacted to the results of the study before the study was completed
B)her behavior was changed by the process of being observed
C)there was a strong public response to publication of the research study
D)the researchers purposely manipulated the behavior of the research participants

Question 30

Dr.Beaudette is studying parent-infant attachment and plans to define attachment in terms of the time it takes for a parent to respond to an infant's cries.Defining attachment in this way would:

A)be a testable hypothesis
B)provide empirical verification of the concept
C)represent an operational definition
D)violate general research ethics

Question 31

Descriptive research refers to:

A)methods used to assess whether two variables vary together in a systematic way
B)methods involving active manipulation of some aspect of the environment
C)any research that uses invasive methods for observing the target behavior
D)the methods used to describe and observe behavior

Question 32

Loss of external validity can result from:

A)clairvoyance
B)standard deviation
C)participant observation
D)reactivity

Question 33

Production at the factory was poor, so management had a team of observers film the workers on the job.The films showed everyone working at top speed, and production was the highest in a year.A likely explanation for the change in the workers' behavior is:

A)external validity
B)the placebo effect
C)reactivity
D)random assignment

Question 34

The students in Dr.Kent's class are normally very active and there is a high level of classroom participation.However, recently there was an observer in the classroom and the participation level was very low.The change in the responsiveness of the students in Dr.Kent's class illustrates the concept of:

A)experimental control
B)negative correlation
C)reactivity
D)systematic observation

Question 35

Defining wealth in terms of total value of assets minus total value of debts would:

A)represent an operational definition of wealth
B)be a testable hypothesis about wealth
C)provide empirical verification of wealth
D)violate general research ethics

Question 36

Frank was a participant in a research study.He felt that his behavior during the study was different from his usual behavior simply because he was being observed.Frank was exhibiting which of the following:

A)placebo effect
B)experimental control
C)naturalistic observation
D)reactivity

Question 37

Dr.Meir is conducting a study and uses heart rate as a measure of general anxiety level.Defining anxiety level in this way would:

A)represent an operational definition
B)be a testable hypothesis
C)provide empirical verification of the concept
D)violate general research ethics

Question 38

Dr.Pointel is studying aggression and plans to define aggression in terms of the number of times an individual actually strikes another person.Defining aggression in this way would:

A)be a testable hypothesis
B)provide empirical verification of the concept
C)violate general research ethics
D)represent an operational definition

Question 39

Defining memory in terms of the number of comprehension questions answered correctly after reading a short story would:

A)represent an operational definition of memory
B)be a testable hypothesis about memory
C)provide empirical verification of memory
D)violate general research ethics

Question 40

Loss of external validity can occur when:

A)clairvoyance is observed
B)participant observed is implemented
C)behavior is observed indirectly
D)people react to being observed

Question 41

Researchers who investigate the social habits of teenagers by measuring the content of the litter they leave behind are engaged in:

A)invasive observation
B)case study research
C)indirect naturalistic observation
D)participant observation

Question 42

When a researcher records naturally occurring behavior, without any interference, the researcher is engaged in:

A)correlational research
B)experimentation
C)naturalistic observation
D)case study research

Question 43

Participant observation occurs when:

A)a representative sample of individuals is asked for their opinion
B)participants in a research study observe and record the behavior of the researcher
C)an observer attempts to become part of the activities being studied
D)a single individual is studied in depth

Question 44

Museum administrators who determine the popularity of various exhibits by measuring how quickly the floor tiles in front of each exhibit wear out are engaged in:

A)invasive observation
B)case study research
C)indirect naturalistic observation
D)participant observation

Question 45

Naturalistic observation involves:

A)asking a representative sample of individuals to provide their opinions
B)recording naturally occurring behavior without any interference
C)carefully observing a single individual in detail
D)observing the behavior of animals in a laboratory setting

Question 46

When a researcher attempts to become part of the activities being studied, in order to unobtrusively observe the behavior under investigation, the researcher is engaging in:

A)participant observation
B)case study research
C)correlational research
D)survey research

Question 47

Channel 6 News heard reports that security regulations were being ignored at the local airport. They had a reporter get a job at the airport so he could find out how security was maintained.This technique is:

A)a case study
B)introspection
C)participant observation
D)naturalistic observation

Question 48

One reason researchers use naturalistic observation is to:

A)increase reactivity in their results
B)improve the external validity of their findings
C)establish cause and effect
D)increase the standard deviation of their observations

Question 49

The results of experimental research can be verified using:

A)invasive observation
B)naturalistic observation
C)clairvoyance
D)introspection

Question 50

Tess went to a day care center to study social interactions in young children.She used a hidden camera and she told the children she was a student teacher working there for the day.In this case Tess is using:

A)the case study method of research
B)survey research
C)correlational research
D)participant observation as a method of research

Question 51

It is important to repeat observations in a variety of settings to be certain the:

A)results generalize
B)placebo effect has occurred
C)correlation was accurate
D)participant observation effect took place

Question 52

A researcher who stands on a street corner recording the gender of the driver of each vehicle, and whether or not the driver comes to a complete stop at the stop sign is engaged in:

A)psychological testing
B)naturalistic observation
C)experimentation
D)case study research

Question 53

One of the main concerns with the case study method of research is that:

A)a single case is seldom able to provide a historical perspective
B)the experiences reported may not be representative of other cases
C)hypotheses cannot be generated about the origin of the behavior
D)they cannot be used to study rare or unusual events

Question 54

The research method that focuses on a single individual is:

A)naturalistic observation
B)case study research
C)the survey method
D)correlational research

Question 55

The case study is a research method in which:

A)the research effort focuses on a single individual
B)a representative sample of individuals is asked for their opinions
C)selected individuals are carefully observed in their natural environments
D)a researcher tries to determine the extent to which two variables influence each other

Question 56

Professor Langerman conducted a study which showed that participants were less efficient when they worked in groups, compared to when they worked alone.Professor Langerman has also noticed that compared to individual projects, students are more likely to hand group projects in late.This suggests that the results Professor Langerman obtained in the efficiency study:

A)are internally valid
B)are operationally defined
C)will not generalize to everyday settings
D)have external validity

Question 57

Dr.Nelson has been treating a patient for Tourette's syndrome for many years using a variety of therapies.Over the years, he kept detailed records of the patient's behaviors.Dr.Nelson's work is an example of a(n):

A)experiment
B)case study
C)survey
D)all of these choices

Question 58

Professor Haskins conducted a study which showed that participants remembered new material better when they learned the material and were tested on the material in the same setting.Professor Haskins has also noticed that students tend to do better on term exams when they take the exams in the same room as the one in which the class normally met.This suggests that the results Professor Haskins obtained in the memory study:

A)are internally valid
B)are operationally defined
C)will not generalize to everyday settings
D)have external validity

Question 59

A researcher who waits by a store exit, recording the general age of each customer, and whether the customer uses the automatic or manual door is engaged in:

A)naturalistic observation
B)psychological testing
C)experimentation
D)case study research

Question 60

A group of researchers wanted to investigate allegations of sexual harassment on a company's assembly line.They wanted their observations to be unobtrusive, so they took jobs working on the assembly line and told their fellow employees they were "new hires." In this case the researchers were using:

A)the case study method of research
B)survey research
C)correlational research
D)participant observation as a method of research

Question 61

The value around which scores in a data set tend to cluster is called:

A)a measure of variability
B)a correlational coefficient
C)the standard deviation
D)a measure of central tendency

Question 62

In trying to determine which career would fit best with your abilities and interests, you would probably want to take a test that would measure your potential or talent for specific kinds of activities.The type of test that would measure this sort of potential would be:

A)an aptitude test
B)an intelligence test
C)a personalized case study
D)an achievement test

Question 63

In order to better understand the links between brain function and behavior, Dr.Vannoni carefully observed and extensively questioned two stroke victims.Based on this information, it is most likely that Dr.Vannoni was conducting:

A)correlational research
B)survey research
C)case study research
D)experimental research

Question 64

Naturalistic observation, case studies, and surveys are all examples of:

A)experimental research
B)descriptive research
C)double-blind research designs
D)single-blind research designs

Question 65

In order to learn whether the people in his state opposed or supported increased speed limits, Representative Simpson randomly surveyed 1,000 of the state's residents.In this instance, the 1,000 people whom Representative Simpson surveyed would be considered to be:

A)a population
B)the dependent variable
C)a representative sample
D)the independent variable

Question 66

Survey results will be more likely to accurately represent the opinions of the entire population if:

A)random sampling is used
B)a control group is used
C)a double-blind design is used
D)a single-blind design is used

Question 67

In a random sample:

A)every tenth person is asked to take part in the study
B)everyone in the target population has an equal likelihood of being selected
C)individuals who take part in a survey are all asked different sets of questions
D)participants with strong opinions are excluded from the survey

Question 68

Sybil is a well known book concerning dissociative identity disorder.As an examination of a single individual, the book represents:

A)case study research
B)the correlational method of research
C)survey research
D)the experimental method of research

Question 69

Sometimes the observations from case studies fail to generalize to other individuals or situations.This represents a problem with:

A)reactivity
B)confounding (third) variables
C)external validity
D)internal validity

Question 70

Measures of central tendency:

A)provide a value around which scores in a data set tend to cluster
B)indicate how much the scores in a data set differ from one another
C)can be used to decide whether the observed behavior in a sample is representative of some larger sample
D)assess whether two variables vary together in a systematic way

Question 71

Dr.Greene was investigating the effects of weightlessness on general psychological functioning.Dr.Greene was able to locate three former astronauts who had experienced at least 10 days of weightlessness in space.These individuals were tested extensively and questioned in detail about their experiences.Dr.Greene's research represents:

A)the correlational method of research
B)case study research
C)survey research
D)the experimental method of research

Question 72

The research method in which a large group of individuals is asked for their opinions is:

A)case study research
B)correlational research
C)a survey
D)naturalistic observation

Question 73

A survey is a research method in which:

A)selected individuals are carefully observed in their natural environments
B)a representative sample of individuals is asked for their opinions
C)a single individual is studied in great detail
D)a researcher tries to determine the extent to which two variables influence each other

Question 74

Which of the following occurs when each person in a population has an equal chance of being selected to participate in a research study?

A)true experiment
B)random assignment
C)internal validity
D)random sampling

Question 75

In order to learn whether the people in Newburg opposed or supported the expansion of the town's elementary school, Mayor Tyson randomly selected and interviewed 100 of the town's 10,000 residents.In this instance, the 100 people who were interviewed by the Mayor would be considered to be:

A)a population
B)a representative sample
C)the dependent variable
D)the independent variable

Question 76

An aptitude test measures:

A)basic personality characteristics
B)current level of knowledge in a particular subject
C)general intelligence and overall level of cognitive function
D)potential for success in a given area

Question 77

Achievement tests measure an individual's:

A)current level of knowledge in a particular subject
B)potential for success in a given area
C)general intelligence and overall level of cognitive function
D)basic personality characteristics

Question 78

A test that is designed to measure one's potential success in a given area of study or profession is:

A)an achievement test
B)a personality test
C)an aptitude test
D)a reactivity test

Question 79

At the end of her psychology class, Railene took a test designed to assess how well she had mastered the material.Railene's psychology final exam would most likely be considered:

A)an intelligence test
B)an achievement test
C)an aptitude test
D)a standardized correlational test

Question 80

When everyone in the target population had an equal likelihood of being selected to take part in a survey, the researcher has selected a:

A)biased sample
B)random population
C)nonrepresentative sample
D)random sample