Master Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology: Online Learning

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a type of inferential statistic used to make inferences about a population based on sample data?

Accepted Answer

Correlational analysis

Answer

Hypothesis testing

Answer

Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 2

What is a primary advantage of using quantitative research methods in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced validity due to objective data collection and analysis

Answer

Exclusive ability to establish causal relationships

Answer

Consistently lower cost compared to qualitative methods

Answer

Unaffected by cultural factors and universally applicable

Question 3

Which of the following is a violation of ethical research practice?

Accepted Answer

Using deception to manipulate participants

Answer

Protecting the privacy of participants

Answer

Informing participants of the research purpose and procedures

Answer

Ensuring the research has potential benefits for society

Question 4

In quantitative research, which of the following is NOT a desirable feature of a research design?

Accepted Answer

Bias

Answer

Validity

Answer

Reliability

Answer

Generalizability

Question 5

Which principle is fundamental to quantitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Generalizability and replicability

Answer

Subjective interpretation

Answer

Qualitative data collection

Answer

Lack of variable control

Question 6

In quantitative research, what is the process of selecting a representative subset of the target population called?

Accepted Answer

Sampling

Answer

Data collection

Answer

Data analysis

Answer

Hypothesis testing

Question 7

In parametric statistical tests, which assumption is essential for ensuring the validity of the results?

Accepted Answer

Data is normally distributed and variances are equal across groups.

Answer

Sample size is sufficiently large.

Answer

Data is continuous in nature.

Answer

Research hypothesis is directional.

Question 8

In quantitative research, which sampling method involves selecting participants based solely on their ease of access or availability?

Accepted Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 9

In quantitative research, which type of validity ensures that the results can be applied to a wider population?

Accepted Answer

External Validity

Answer

Internal Validity

Answer

Construct Validity

Answer

Ecological Validity

Question 10

In quantitative research, what is the process of selecting a representative subset from the entire population to make inferences about the population called?

Accepted Answer

Sampling

Answer

Participant analysis

Answer

Statistical inference

Question 11

In quantitative research, which technique is primarily used to discover patterns, identify outliers, and explore relationships among variables in a dataset?

Accepted Answer

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)

Answer

Hypothesis Testing

Answer

Inferential Statistics

Question 12

In quantitative research, what is the main function of a research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To formulate a testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

Answer

To validate existing theories and establish facts.

Answer

To provide a description of a population or phenomenon.

Answer

To explain the cause-and-effect relationships between variables.

Question 13

In a quantitative research study, what is the main reason for conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the practicality, validity, and reliability of the research tool or method.

Answer

To collect initial data for analysis.

Answer

To test the study's hypotheses.

Answer

To determine the sample size required for the main study.

Question 14

In quantitative research, which sampling method ensures that every individual in a population has an equal likelihood of being chosen?

Accepted Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Question 15

In quantitative research, which of these is NOT a commonly employed research design?

Accepted Answer

Narrative design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Descriptive design

Answer

Correlational design

Question 16

What is the key distinction between a population and a sample in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

A population is the entire group of individuals being studied, while a sample is a smaller subset representing the population.

Answer

A sample is the entire group of individuals being studied, while a population is a theoretical concept.

Answer

A population is a real-world group, while a sample is a hypothetical construct.

Answer

A sample is more reliable than a population.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a feature of a well-formulated research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Unbiased

Answer

Empirically testable

Answer

Precise and specific

Answer

Falsifiable

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the feasibility and validity of a research design

Answer

To collect data for the main study

Answer

To generalize findings to a larger population

Answer

To refine the research question

Question 19

Which is the primary purpose of conducting a statistical hypothesis test?

Accepted Answer

To determine whether a statistically significant difference exists between two or more groups

Answer

To foresee future events

Answer

To describe correlations between variables

Answer

To verify or refute theories

Question 20

Which statistical measure describes the typical value in a distribution?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Answer

Mode

Answer

Standard deviation

Question 21

What is the goal of conducting a power analysis?

Accepted Answer

To determine the sample size necessary to achieve a desired statistical power

Answer

To assess the significance of a research finding

Answer

To illustrate the relationship between variables

Answer

To predict future outcomes

Question 22

What is the primary purpose of a confidence interval?

Accepted Answer

To estimate the range of values within which a population parameter is likely to fall

Answer

To provide an exact value for a population parameter

Answer

To measure variability within a sample

Answer

To assess the statistical significance of group differences

Question 23

How do descriptive and inferential statistics differ?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics describe sample characteristics, while inferential statistics test hypotheses about populations

Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics make predictions

Answer

Descriptive statistics apply to populations, while inferential statistics apply to samples

Answer

Descriptive and inferential statistics are fundamentally the same

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of statistical hypothesis testing?

Accepted Answer

To determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between two or more groups.

Answer

To estimate the magnitude of an effect.

Answer

To generate new theories.

Answer

To prove that a theory is true.

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a method for combining results from multiple research studies?

Accepted Answer

Vote counting

Answer

Meta-analysis

Answer

Narrative synthesis

Answer

Systematic review

Question 26

What is the main purpose of a research design in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To outline the methods and procedures of the study

Answer

To provide a theoretical framework for the study

Answer

To analyze the data collected

Answer

To write the research report

Question 27

What is a likely consequence of violating the assumptions of a statistical test?

Accepted Answer

The results become less reliable.

Answer

The results become more accurate.

Answer

The results become less biased.

Answer

The results become more generalizable.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a type of quantitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Cohort study

Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

Cross-sectional study

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

It is primarily subjective in nature.

Answer

It relies on numerical data.

Answer

It seeks to quantify variables and generalize findings to a larger population.

Answer

It uses statistical analysis to draw inferences from data.

Question 30

What is the primary purpose of a research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To make a specific prediction about the outcome of a study.

Answer

To evaluate the validity of the research design.

Answer

To provide an interpretation of the research findings.

Answer

To describe the research question being investigated.

Question 31

What is the fundamental difference between a population and a sample?

Accepted Answer

A population encompasses all members of a group, while a sample represents a subset of that population.

Answer

A sample is selected randomly, while a population is not.

Answer

A sample is always smaller than a population.

Answer

A population is more representative than a sample.

Question 32

Which of the following is an example of a descriptive statistic?

Accepted Answer

Mean (average)

Answer

Regression

Answer

Correlation

Answer

Analysis of variance

Question 33

What is the primary purpose of a t-test?

Accepted Answer

To determine if there is a statistically significant difference between the means of two independent groups.

Answer

To investigate the relationship between two variables.

Answer

To predict the outcome of a future event.

Answer

To assess the reliability of a measurement instrument.

Question 34

What is the primary difference between a between-subjects design and a within-subjects design?

Accepted Answer

In a between-subjects design, participants are assigned to different experimental conditions, while in a within-subjects design, all participants experience all experimental conditions.

Answer

Between-subjects designs are more powerful than within-subjects designs.

Answer

Between-subjects designs require a larger sample size than within-subjects designs.

Answer

Within-subjects designs are more efficient than between-subjects designs.

Question 35

What is the purpose of a confidence interval?

Accepted Answer

To provide an estimated range of values within which the true population parameter is likely to fall.

Answer

To predict future research outcomes.

Answer

To establish a definitive threshold for statistical significance.

Answer

To indicate the precision of a sample estimate.

Question 36

Which of the following accurately describes the characteristic of objectivity in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Relies on empirical data to minimize bias and promote generalizability

Answer

Emphasizes the development of comprehensive theories

Answer

Prioritizes the understanding of individual perspectives

Answer

Involves the subjective interpretation of researcher experiences

Question 37

When embarking on a quantitative research investigation, what should be the initial step?

Accepted Answer

Clearly define the research question that guides the study

Answer

Analyze the data gathered during the research process

Answer

Collect data from the designated research participants

Answer

Present the findings of the research to relevant audiences

Question 38

Random sampling is a sampling technique employed in quantitative research to:

Accepted Answer

Obtain a representative subset from the larger population, reducing bias

Answer

Select participants based on their convenience and accessibility

Answer

Build on existing participant networks to recruit additional participants

Answer

Identify specific individuals who meet predetermined criteria

Question 39

In quantitative research, a hypothesis serves the primary purpose of:

Accepted Answer

Predicting the potential relationship between variables under investigation

Answer

Describing the central topic or phenomenon being studied

Answer

Providing a detailed explanation of the research findings

Question 40

Which statistical test is specifically designed to determine the significance of differences between two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Correlation analysis

Question 41

Quantitative research methods are associated with the potential limitation of:

Accepted Answer

Being less effective in capturing and exploring complex or subjective phenomena

Answer

Allowing for the generalization of findings to larger populations

Answer

Providing highly objective and unbiased results

Question 42

Technological advancements have significantly impacted quantitative research methods by:

Accepted Answer

Increasing the availability of data and enhancing computational power for analysis

Answer

Making research findings less generalizable to wider populations

Answer

Reducing the need for rigorous research design and methodology

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT considered a type of quantitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Observational design

Answer

Experimental design

Question 44

Which statistical test is most appropriate for comparing the means of continuous outcome variables between two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

Independent samples t-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Pearson correlation coefficient

Answer

Paired samples t-test

Question 45

What is the key difference between descriptive and inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize and describe the characteristics of the sample, while inferential statistics make predictions and generalizations about the population from which the sample was drawn.

Answer

Descriptive statistics are based on qualitative data, while inferential statistics are based on quantitative data.

Question 46

In a quantitative research study, what is the primary role of the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

It measures the outcome or response variable that is being studied

Answer

It represents the variable that the researcher is manipulating

Answer

It is a constant variable that is controlled throughout the study

Answer

It acts as a predictor or explanatory variable

Question 47

Which research design is most suitable for investigating cause-and-effect relationships?

Accepted Answer

Experimental

Answer

Observational

Answer

Correlational

Answer

Quasi-experimental

Question 48

What is the primary purpose of conducting a power analysis in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To determine the minimum sample size required to achieve statistical significance and detect an effect of a given size

Answer

To identify潜在confounding variables

Answer

To predict the outcome of the study and ensure its validity

Question 49

Which of the following is a key advantage of using quantitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative methods enable researchers to generalize findings to larger populations through statistical inference

Answer

They are less objective and precise compared to qualitative methods

Answer

They are typically more time-consuming and resource-intensive than qualitative methods

Answer

They provide deep insights into individual experiences and nuances

Question 50

Why is it critical to consider ethical issues in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the well-being and rights of participants, maintain research integrity, and uphold ethical principles throughout the research process

Answer

Ethical guidelines are not applicable when research involves human participants

Answer

Ethical considerations are primarily relevant only in qualitative research

Question 51

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a valid research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

It should be unverifiable.

Answer

It should be relevant to the research question.

Answer

It should be testable.

Answer

It should be specific.

Question 52

Which of the following is an example of a non-parametric statistical test?

Accepted Answer

Mann-Whitney U test

Answer

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Answer

t-test

Question 53

What is the purpose of a confidence interval?

Accepted Answer

To provide an estimated range of values that likely includes the true population parameter.

Answer

To test the null hypothesis.

Answer

To calculate the effect size.

Question 54

Which of the following is a type of qualitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Meta-analysis

Answer

Survey

Answer

Experiment

Question 55

What is the primary difference between a dependent and independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is influenced by the independent variable.

Answer

The dependent variable is measured before the independent variable.

Answer

The independent variable is influenced by the dependent variable.

Question 56

What is the primary purpose of conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the research plan.

Answer

To recruit participants for the main study.

Answer

To collect data for the main study.

Question 57

What is a key advantage of using a stratified sampling design?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that different subgroups within the population are adequately represented in the sample.

Answer

It reduces the cost of data collection.

Answer

It increases the sample size.

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental assumption of inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

The sample perfectly represents the population.

Answer

The data distribution within the population is approximately normal.

Answer

The observations within the sample are independent of each other.

Answer

The sample is obtained through a random process.

Question 59

What is the primary purpose of a t-test?

Accepted Answer

To compare the means of two groups, assuming the data is approximately normally distributed.

Answer

To determine if a correlation exists between two variables.

Answer

To predict the value of one variable based on another variable.

Answer

To evaluate the effect of a treatment on a single group.

Question 60

What is the key difference between a population and a sample?

Accepted Answer

A population encompasses all individuals of interest, while a sample is a smaller, representative subset of the population.

Answer

A sample is always smaller than a population.

Question 61

Which of these is considered a measure of central tendency?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Regression line

Question 62

What does the null hypothesis typically state?

Accepted Answer

There is no significant difference or relationship between the variables being investigated.

Answer

The sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the population.

Answer

There is a significant difference or relationship between the variables being investigated.

Question 63

What is the main purpose of a research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To state a specific and testable prediction about the expected outcome of a study.

Answer

To evaluate the assumptions underlying the research design.

Answer

To analyze the data gathered during a research study.

Answer

To provide a detailed description of the population being studied.

Question 64

What is the distinction between a Type I and a Type II error?

Accepted Answer

A Type I error occurs when we reject a true null hypothesis, while a Type II error occurs when we fail to reject a false null hypothesis.

Answer

A Type I error occurs when we fail to reject a true null hypothesis, and a Type II error occurs when we reject a false null hypothesis.