Research Methods in Psychology: Master the Science of Psychological Research

Question 1

In a correlational study, researchers find a positive correlation between self-esteem and academic performance. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Higher self-esteem is associated with higher academic performance

Answer

Higher self-esteem is associated with lower academic performance

Answer

There is no relationship between self-esteem and academic performance

Answer

Academic performance may be influenced by factors other than self-esteem

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of a systematic literature review?

Accepted Answer

To provide a comprehensive summary of existing research on a specific topic

Answer

To generate new hypotheses for future research

Answer

To evaluate the effectiveness of a particular intervention

Answer

To collect original data for analysis

Question 3

In correlational research, which type of study examines relationships among variables that have occurred naturally?

Accepted Answer

Observational

Answer

Experimental

Answer

Quasi-experimental

Answer

Cross-sectional

Question 4

In qualitative research, the researcher's primary role is to:

Accepted Answer

Interact with participants and interpret their experiences

Answer

Objectively observe and record data

Answer

Manipulate variables to test hypotheses

Answer

Analyze statistical data to draw conclusions

Question 5

The process of selecting a representative sample from a population is known as:

Accepted Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 6

The strength and direction of a relationship between two variables is measured by:

Accepted Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

Regression coefficient

Answer

Effect size

Answer

Significance level

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a recognized research approach in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Mixed-methods

Answer

Experimental

Answer

Correlational

Answer

Qualitative

Question 8

In an experimental research design, the researcher manipulates the:

Accepted Answer

Independent variable

Answer

Dependent variable

Answer

Both independent and dependent variables

Answer

None of the variables

Question 9

The process of selecting participants from a larger population is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Sampling

Answer

Recruitment

Answer

Data collection

Answer

Randomization

Question 10

Which qualitative research approach involves conducting in-depth interviews with a small number of participants to explore their experiences and perspectives?

Accepted Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Case study

Question 11

Which type of experimental research design involves randomly assigning participants to different groups, each receiving a different treatment or condition?

Accepted Answer

Between-subjects design

Answer

Within-subjects design

Answer

Factorial design

Answer

Observational design

Question 12

Which ethical principle requires researchers to obtain voluntary and informed consent from participants before conducting a study?

Accepted Answer

Respect for autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 13

What is the primary objective of research dissemination?

Accepted Answer

To share research findings with the scientific community and the public, facilitating knowledge exchange and potential applications.

Answer

To replicate and extend research findings, contributing to the cumulative advancement of scientific knowledge.

Answer

To identify limitations and gaps in the research literature, guiding future research directions.

Answer

To apply research findings to practical settings, informing policy and decision-making.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental principle of experimental research?

Accepted Answer

Collection of qualitative data

Answer

Random assignment of participants to treatment conditions

Answer

Control of extraneous variables

Answer

Testing of a hypothesis

Question 15

In a correlational study, a negative correlation coefficient indicates what kind of relationship between variables?

Accepted Answer

A negative relationship

Answer

A positive relationship

Answer

No relationship

Answer

A weak relationship

Question 16

Which type of qualitative research method involves in-depth interviews with participants to understand their experiences and perspectives?

Accepted Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Action research

Question 17

A researcher wants to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel treatment for anxiety. Which research design would be most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Experimental

Answer

Case study

Answer

Quasi-experimental

Answer

Cross-sectional

Question 18

What is the primary objective of conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To test the feasibility and refine the methodology of a research project

Answer

To gather preliminary data for the main study

Answer

To confirm the research hypothesis

Answer

To generalize findings to a larger population

Question 19

Explain the distinction between a dependent variable and an independent variable.

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is influenced by the independent variable, while the independent variable is not influenced by the dependent variable

Answer

The independent variable is influenced by the dependent variable, while the dependent variable is not influenced by the independent variable

Answer

The dependent and independent variables are not influenced by each other

Answer

There is no difference between a dependent variable and an independent variable

Question 20

Which statistical test is used to compare the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Question 21

What ethical principle requires that research participants provide informed consent before participating in a study?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Anonymity

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Debriefing

Question 22

Which type of research involves observing behavior in its natural context without manipulating variables?

Accepted Answer

Ethnographic

Answer

Experimental

Answer

Correlational

Answer

Longitudinal

Question 23

Which of the following is considered a distinctive feature of experimental research methods?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment of participants to different conditions.

Answer

Relying solely on observational data collected in natural settings.

Answer

Prioritizing the gathering of qualitative data over quantitative data.

Answer

Lack of control over extraneous variables that could influence results.

Question 24

In the context of correlational research, a strong positive correlation indicates what type of relationship between variables?

Accepted Answer

As the value of one variable increases, the value of the other variable also tends to increase.

Answer

As the value of one variable increases, the value of the other variable tends to decrease.

Answer

There is no apparent relationship between the two variables.

Answer

The variables have an inverse relationship, meaning that as one increases, the other decreases.

Question 25

Which of the following is recognized as a key advantage of utilizing qualitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Providing in-depth insights into individual experiences and perspectives.

Answer

Generalizability of findings to a wider population.

Answer

Eliminating the potential influence of confounding variables.

Answer

Ensuring objectivity and reliability of the collected data.

Question 26

What is the primary purpose of formulating a research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To make a testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

Answer

To summarize the findings of a study after data collection.

Answer

To provide an explanation for the observed results of a study.

Answer

To determine the cause-and-effect relationship between variables.

Question 27

Which sampling technique involves selecting every 'nth' member of a population?

Accepted Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Question 28

What does a p-value less than 0.05 typically indicate?

Accepted Answer

The results are statistically significant.

Answer

The collected data is unreliable.

Answer

The null hypothesis is likely true.

Answer

The probability of a Type II error is high.

Question 29

Which tool is commonly used to assess the reliability of a research instrument?

Accepted Answer

Cronbach's alpha

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

Validity coefficient

Answer

Standard error of measurement

Question 30

Which ethical principle emphasizes the researcher's obligation to protect participants from harm?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 31

Which of the following is a hallmark of experimental research?

Accepted Answer

Systematic manipulation of an independent variable to observe its effects on a dependent variable

Answer

Gathering data without researcher intervention

Answer

Random assignment of participants to groups

Question 32

What is the primary objective of correlational research?

Accepted Answer

Exploring the relationship between two or more variables

Answer

Examining subjective experiences and beliefs

Answer

Testing the impact of one variable on another

Question 33

Which of the following methods is considered qualitative?

Accepted Answer

Interviews

Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

Meta-analyses

Answer

Randomized controlled trials

Question 34

Which ethical principle mandates researchers to safeguard participants' privacy?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Scientific integrity

Answer

Informed consent

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a common type of research design in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Narrative research

Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Experimental design

Question 36

In an experiment, what is the primary purpose of random assignment?

Accepted Answer

To create groups that are as similar as possible at the start of the study, minimizing the influence of pre-existing differences.

Answer

To increase the generalizability of the findings to a wider population.

Answer

To eliminate the effects of confounding variables.

Question 37

Which statistical test is specifically designed to examine the relationship between two continuous variables?

Accepted Answer

Pearson correlation coefficient

Answer

Analysis of variance

Answer

t-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Question 38

What is a key advantage of using a qualitative research approach?

Accepted Answer

Provides a rich, detailed understanding of complex phenomena and individual experiences.

Answer

Is generally less time-consuming than quantitative research.

Answer

Allows for easy generalization of findings to a larger population.

Question 39

Which ethical principle emphasizes the obligation to protect participants from harm and maximize potential benefits in research?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Veracity

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 40

What is the essential component of a research proposal that outlines the specific procedures and methods to be used in the study?

Accepted Answer

Methods section

Answer

Discussion

Answer

Bibliography

Answer

Abstract

Question 41

What is the primary function of a literature review in a research project?

Accepted Answer

To provide a thorough and critical overview of existing research on the topic, identifying gaps and informing the current study's direction.

Answer

To present the findings of the proposed study.

Answer

To justify the need for the proposed study.

Question 42

Which of the following is a core characteristic of a valid research instrument?

Accepted Answer

Measures what it is intended to measure accurately and consistently.

Answer

Produces reliable results.

Answer

Is easy to administer and score.

Answer

Is free of bias.

Question 43

What is the main purpose of conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To test the feasibility, refine the design, and identify any potential problems with the research project before full-scale implementation.

Answer

To collect data for the actual study.

Answer

To replicate the findings of a previous study.