Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between basic research and applied research in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Basic research seeks to answer fundamental questions about behavior and mental processes, while applied research investigates issues with practical implications for everyday life.

Question 2

A psychologist wants to study the effect of sleep deprivation on learning. Which of the following is the best example of an operational definition for the variable 'sleep deprivation'?

Accepted Answer

The number of hours a participant is awake before a learning task.

Question 3

Which section of a research article typically provides a summary of the research question, methods, results, and conclusions?

Accepted Answer

Abstract

Question 4

A researcher finds a correlation coefficient of $$r = -0.85$$ between stress levels and hours of sleep. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is a strong negative relationship between stress and sleep.

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates why 'correlation does not imply causation'?

Accepted Answer

A study finds that ice cream sales and drowning incidents both increase in summer, but buying ice cream does not cause drowning.

Question 6

Which of the following is a key advantage of experimental research over correlational research?

Accepted Answer

Experimental research can establish causal relationships between variables.

Question 7

A psychologist randomly assigns participants to either use flashcards or not when studying for a test. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

Use of flashcards

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a principle of ethical research with human participants?

Accepted Answer

Requiring participants to complete the study once started

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To determine the cost-benefit ratio and ensure ethical guidelines are followed in research involving humans

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a 'case study' in descriptive research?

Accepted Answer

An in-depth investigation of a single person, family, event, or entity.

Question 11

A researcher wants to know if peer pressure affects recycling behavior among college students. Which type of research design would best allow the researcher to draw causal conclusions?

Accepted Answer

Experimental research

Question 12

Which of the following is a falsifiable research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

If people get too little sleep, then they will have a harder time learning.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of random sampling?

Accepted Answer

Selecting participants from a population using a lottery system.

Question 14

Which of the following is a key feature of a good scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

It is parsimonious and provides the simplest possible explanation.

Question 15

A scatterplot shows a strong positive correlation between hours studied and exam scores. Which correlation coefficient is most likely to represent this relationship?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0.75$$

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the purpose of debriefing in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

To explain the purpose and procedures of the research after participation and mitigate any harmful effects.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a third variable problem in correlational research?

Accepted Answer

A correlation between anxiety and physical health may be explained by a third variable such as stress.

Question 18

Which step is NOT part of the SIFT test for evaluating research claims?

Accepted Answer

Trust your intuition

Question 19

A psychologist wants to test whether a new therapy reduces symptoms of depression. Which research design would best allow the psychologist to infer causality?

Accepted Answer

Experimental research with random assignment to therapy and control groups.

Question 20

Which of the following is the best example of an operational definition for the variable 'happiness'?

Accepted Answer

Rating of happiness from 1 (not at all happy) to 10 (very happy).

Research Methods: The Science of Psychology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards