Research Methods in Psychology: Master the Fundamentals

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

To measure the outcome of the experiment

Answer

To manipulate or control the independent variable

Answer

To ensure ethical guidelines are followed

Answer

To select participants for the study

Question 2

Which data collection method is most appropriate for gathering detailed, subjective responses?

Accepted Answer

Interviews

Answer

Surveys

Answer

Experiments

Answer

Physiological measures

Question 3

What is the main objective of statistical analysis in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To find relationships between variables and make meaningful conclusions

Answer

To generate hypotheses

Answer

To ensure all participants are treated equally

Answer

To gather data

Question 4

What is the initial step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Observing a phenomenon

Answer

Formulating a hypothesis

Answer

Designing an experiment

Answer

Analyzing data

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A population represents the entire group of interest, while a sample is a smaller subset.

Answer

A sample represents the entire group of interest, while a population is a smaller subset.

Answer

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

Answer

There is no distinction between a population and a sample.

Question 6

Which research method is primarily used to generate theories and concepts?

Accepted Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Survey research

Answer

Experimental research

Answer

Meta-analysis

Question 7

What is the purpose of a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To test the feasibility and effectiveness of a research design

Answer

To collect main data for the research project

Answer

To generate hypotheses for further investigation

Answer

To ensure ethical guidelines are followed

Question 8

Which of these is NOT a quantitative research method?

Accepted Answer

Case Study

Answer

Survey

Answer

Experiment

Answer

Correlation

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a key element of experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Participant recruitment

Answer

Control group

Answer

Independent variable

Answer

Random assignment

Question 10

What is the primary objective of data collection in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To gather information relevant to a research question

Answer

To prove a hypothesis

Answer

To make generalizations about a population

Answer

To validate research methods

Question 11

Which statistical analysis method is commonly used to compare means between two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Correlation analysis

Question 12

Which research method involves systematically observing and recording behavior in real-world settings?

Accepted Answer

Observational method

Answer

Experimental method

Answer

Survey method

Answer

Interview method

Question 13

What is the main purpose of conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To test the feasibility of a research design

Answer

To collect sufficient data for analysis

Answer

To generalize findings to a larger population

Answer

To draw definitive conclusions about a research question

Question 14

What is the primary distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative methods are more subjective, while quantitative methods are more objective

Answer

Qualitative methods use numerical data, while quantitative methods use descriptive data

Answer

Qualitative methods are used to test hypotheses, while quantitative methods are used to generate hypotheses

Answer

Qualitative methods are less rigorous than quantitative methods

Question 15

Identify the core principle that does NOT belong to research methods in psychology:

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis formulation

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Data collection

Answer

Statistical analysis

Question 16

Which experimental design involves assigning participants to different groups randomly?

Accepted Answer

Between-subjects design

Answer

Within-subjects design

Answer

Mixed-methods design

Answer

Factorial design

Question 17

What is the primary objective of conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

Gathering preliminary data

Answer

Evaluating the reliability of a research instrument

Answer

Confirming the validity of a hypothesis

Answer

Generalizing findings to a larger population

Question 18

What is the main advantage of employing qualitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Provides in-depth understanding of complex phenomena

Answer

Enables generalization of findings to wider populations

Answer

Objectively measures variables

Answer

Is more cost-effective than quantitative methods

Question 19

Which ethical principle requires researchers to obtain informed consent from participants?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Fidelity

Question 20

What is the significance of replication in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To validate the findings of previous studies

Answer

To extend the findings of previous studies

Answer

To offer an alternative interpretation of previous findings

Answer

To disprove previous findings

Question 21

In psychological research, what is the main goal of construct validity?

Accepted Answer

To confirm that a research tool measures what it is supposed to

Answer

To precisely quantify a psychological construct

Answer

To determine if a research tool is consistent over time

Answer

To evaluate the applicability of research findings to various populations

Question 22

To assess the effectiveness of a program designed to improve students' problem-solving abilities, which research method is most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Experiment

Answer

Case study

Answer

Survey

Question 23

What is a major advantage of using qualitative research methods in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Gathering detailed and descriptive information

Answer

Applying findings to a larger group of people

Answer

Saving time and money during research

Answer

Collecting numbers that are simple to analyze

Question 24

What are confounding variables, and why are they a threat to the validity of a research study?

Accepted Answer

Variables not controlled for in a study, potentially influencing results.

Answer

Variables always measured and controlled in a study.

Answer

Variables unrelated to either the independent or dependent variables in a study.

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a key principle of psychological research methods?

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Experimental control

Answer

Cultural sensitivity

Question 26

In an experimental design, the variable that the researcher manipulates is called the:

Accepted Answer

Independent variable

Answer

Dependent variable

Answer

Extraneous variable

Answer

Confounding variable

Question 27

Which data collection method involves observing individuals in their natural environment?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Answer

Experiment

Answer

Interview

Answer

Survey

Question 28

Breaking down data into manageable components for analysis is known as:

Accepted Answer

Coding

Answer

Interpretation

Answer

Hypothesis testing

Answer

Operationalisation

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a purpose of statistical analysis in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Generating theories

Answer

Describing data

Answer

Drawing conclusions

Answer

Testing hypotheses

Question 30

In qualitative research, the researcher aims to:

Accepted Answer

Understand subjective experiences

Answer

Objectively measure variables

Answer

Provide statistical generalisations

Answer

Test specific hypotheses

Question 31

In a psychological experiment, what is the primary purpose of a control group?

Accepted Answer

To serve as a baseline for comparison

Answer

To eliminate potential biases

Answer

To increase the sample size

Answer

To verify the reliability of the results

Question 32

Which of the following data collection methods is considered quantitative?

Accepted Answer

Structured questionnaires

Answer

In-depth interviews

Answer

Participant observation

Answer

Focus group discussions

Question 33

What is the distinction between a dependent variable and an independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the manipulated variable, while the dependent variable is the measured variable.

Answer

The dependent variable is the manipulated variable, while the independent variable is the measured variable.

Answer

Both variables are manipulated.

Answer

Both variables are measured.

Question 34

Which of the following is **not** a type of sampling method?

Accepted Answer

Experimental sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Question 35

In experimental design, what is the main purpose of an independent variable?

Accepted Answer

To change and observe its impact on the dependent variable

Answer

To measure the effect on the dependent variable

Answer

To control for other factors that could affect the results

Answer

To make sure the research is accurate and reliable

Question 36

Which of the following is a key advantage of naturalistic observation over participant observation?

Accepted Answer

Participants behave more naturally.

Answer

The researcher has more control over the situation.

Answer

Ethical concerns are less complex.

Answer

Findings can be more easily generalized.

Question 37

Identify the principle of experimental design that is incorrect.

Accepted Answer

Using a single group for both the experimental and control groups

Answer

Manipulation of an independent variable

Answer

Random assignment of participants to groups

Question 38

In a psychological experiment, what is the primary purpose of a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To make an educated guess about the anticipated outcome

Answer

To justify the selection of a particular research method

Answer

To list the research questions being investigated

Question 39

Which data collection approach involves observing participants in their natural environment?

Accepted Answer

Observational research

Answer

Interview

Answer

Experiment

Answer

Survey

Question 40

Distinguish between a population and a sample in terms of research.

Accepted Answer

A population encompasses the entire group under study, while a sample is a smaller, reflective subset.

Answer

A population is always infinite, while a sample is always finite.

Answer

A sample can be larger than a population.

Question 41

Which statistical tool is commonly used to determine differences in means between two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Question 42

Identify the ethical principle that prioritizes the well-being of research participants.

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Autonomy

Question 43

Which research method is categorized as qualitative?

Accepted Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Experiment

Answer

Survey

Answer

Meta-analysis

Question 44

What is the primary objective of a literature review in research?

Accepted Answer

To provide a comprehensive analysis of research on a specific topic

Answer

To introduce the topic of a research project

Answer

To gather data for the research project

Question 45

Which step is not included in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Duplication

Answer

Data analysis

Answer

Experimentation

Answer

Hypothesis generation

Question 46

State the ultimate goal of psychological research.

Accepted Answer

To comprehend, explain, predict, and control behaviors

Answer

To treat psychological disorders

Answer

To design educational curricula

Question 47

In an experiment, what is the purpose of a control group?

Accepted Answer

To compare the effects of the independent variable without the influence of other factors.

Answer

To ensure that the participants are representative of the population.

Answer

To increase the sample size.

Question 48

Which research method is most suitable for examining complex behaviours in a natural setting?

Accepted Answer

Observational research

Answer

Survey research

Answer

Case study

Answer

Experimental research

Question 49

Which of the following is a potential bias that can affect psychological research findings?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Replication

Answer

Generalizability

Answer

Objectivity

Question 50

What is the primary role of a hypothesis in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To provide a specific, testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

Answer

To describe the research question.

Answer

To collect data.

Question 51

Which statistical measure is used to represent the typical or average value in a dataset?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

Correlation

Answer

Variance

Answer

Range

Question 52

Which data collection method is commonly used in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Semi-structured interviews

Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

Psychometric testing

Question 53

Why is research ethics essential in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To protect participant well-being, maintain confidentiality, and ensure the integrity of the research process.

Answer

To avoid legal consequences.

Answer

To obtain research grants.