Research Methods

Question 1

What is the main purpose of the experimental method in psychology?

Answer 1

To manipulate the independent variable (IV) to observe its effect on the dependent variable (DV).

Question 2

What is the difference between a directional and non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 2

A directional hypothesis predicts the direction of the effect, while a non-directional hypothesis only predicts that an effect will occur.

Question 3

What does operationalisation of variables mean?

Answer 3

It means defining variables in measurable terms for accuracy and clarity in research.

Question 4

Why are control and experimental conditions used?

Answer 4

To compare effects of the IV and isolate causal relationships by controlling other variables.

Question 5

What is an extraneous variable?

Answer 5

A variable that affects the DV but does not systematically vary with the IV.

Question 6

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 6

A variable that changes systematically with the IV, potentially obscuring the true cause of changes in the DV.

Question 7

What are demand characteristics?

Answer 7

Cues that may reveal the study’s aim to participants, affecting their natural behavior.

Question 8

What is the ‘screw-U’ effect?

Answer 8

When participants deliberately act against expectations to sabotage results.

Question 9

What are investigator effects?

Answer 9

Any influence the researcher may have on participants or results, consciously or unconsciously.

Question 10

What is randomisation in research?

Answer 10

Using chance to minimise the influence of bias in study design and participant selection.

Question 11

What is standardisation?

Answer 11

Ensuring all participants receive identical instructions and conditions.

Question 12

What is a key strength of laboratory experiments?

Answer 12

High control over variables and replicability.

Question 13

What is a limitation of field experiments?

Answer 13

Less control over extraneous variables.

Question 14

How is a quasi-experiment different from a natural one?

Answer 14

In quasi-experiments, the IV exists naturally but conditions are controlled; in natural experiments, both are naturally occurring.

Question 15

Why are natural experiments considered high in external validity?

Answer 15

They involve real-life events and settings.

Question 16

What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 16

Selecting participants who are conveniently available.

Question 17

What is the main strength of random sampling?

Answer 17

It eliminates researcher bias in participant selection.

Question 18

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 18

A method where subgroups of a population are represented proportionally.

Question 19

What is a limitation of volunteer sampling?

Answer 19

It may lead to a biased, unrepresentative sample.

Question 20

What is the independent groups design?

Answer 20

Participants are split into groups, each doing only one condition of the IV.

Question 21

What is repeated measures design?

Answer 21

The same participants take part in all conditions of the IV.

Question 22

What is counterbalancing?

Answer 22

Alternating the order of conditions to control order effects.

Question 23

What is the matched pairs design?

Answer 23

Participants are paired on relevant variables before being split across conditions.

Question 24

What is a pilot study?

Answer 24

A small-scale trial run of a study to identify issues before the main investigation.

Question 25

What is the purpose of a single-blind procedure?

Answer 25

To prevent participants from knowing the study’s aim and reduce demand characteristics.

Question 26

Why use a double-blind procedure?

Answer 26

To prevent both participant and researcher bias.

Question 27

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 27

Observing behavior in a natural setting without interference.

Question 28

What is overt observation?

Answer 28

Participants know they are being observed.

Question 29

What is covert observation?

Answer 29

Participants do not know they are being observed.

Question 30

What is participant observation?

Answer 30

The observer becomes part of the group being studied.

Question 31

How is inter-observer reliability calculated?

Answer 31

Agreements ÷ total observations × 100; above 80% indicates good reliability.

Question 32

What is qualitative data?

Answer 32

Non-numerical data expressed in words, rich in detail.

Question 33

What is quantitative data?

Answer 33

Numerical data used for statistical analysis.

Question 34

What is primary data?

Answer 34

Data collected firsthand by the researcher.

Question 35

What is secondary data?

Answer 35

Data collected by someone else, used by the researcher.

Question 36

What is a meta-analysis?

Answer 36

Combining results from multiple studies to draw overall conclusions.

Question 37

What is the mean?

Answer 37

The average value in a data set.

Question 38

What is the mode?

Answer 38

The most frequently occurring value.

Question 39

What is the median?

Answer 39

The middle value in an ordered data set.

Question 40

What does the standard deviation show?

Answer 40

The spread of data around the mean.

Question 41

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 41

As one variable increases, so does the other.

Question 42

What is a curvilinear relationship?

Answer 42

A non-linear relationship, often forming an inverted U shape.

Question 43

What is the main limitation of correlations?

Answer 43

They cannot show cause and effect.

Question 44

What are the conditions for using the sign test?

Answer 44

Nominal data, repeated measures design, test of difference.

Question 45

What is the 'Rule of R' in statistical testing?

Answer 45

If the test name includes 'R', the calculated value must be greater than the critical value.

Question 46

What is a Type I error?

Answer 46

Incorrectly rejecting a true null hypothesis.

Question 47

What is a Type II error?

Answer 47

Failing to reject a false null hypothesis.

Question 48

What is the purpose of an abstract in a report?

Answer 48

To summarize the entire study in about 150–200 words.

Question 49

What is included in the 'method' section of a report?

Answer 49

Design, participants, procedure, and materials.

Question 50

Why is referencing important in scientific writing?

Answer 50

To credit sources and allow readers to verify information.

Question 51

What is internal validity?

Answer 51

Whether changes in the DV are due to the IV, not other factors.

Question 52

What is face validity?

Answer 52

Whether a test appears to measure what it claims to.

Question 53

What is test-retest reliability?

Answer 53

Consistency of a test over time.

Question 54

How can observational reliability be improved?

Answer 54

Use well-defined behavioral categories and train observers.

Question 55

What is a structured interview?

Answer 55

An interview with predetermined questions.

Question 56

What is an open question in a questionnaire?

Answer 56

A question allowing free, qualitative responses.

Question 57

What is acquiescence bias?

Answer 57

Tendency to agree with all items regardless of content.

Question 58

What is the purpose of filler questions?

Answer 58

To disguise the aim of the study and reduce demand characteristics.

Question 59

What is presumptive consent?

Answer 59

Gaining consent from a similar group instead of actual participants.

Question 60

How is deception addressed ethically?

Answer 60

By debriefing participants afterwards.

Question 61

What is the role of the ethics committee?

Answer 61

To weigh up the costs and benefits of a study.

Question 62

What is falsifiability?

Answer 62

The idea that a theory must be testable and able to be proven false.

Question 63

What is a paradigm?

Answer 63

A shared set of beliefs or assumptions in a scientific field.

Question 64

Why is psychology sometimes seen as a pre-science?

Answer 64

Because it lacks a single unifying paradigm.

Question 65

What is theory construction?

Answer 65

Developing general principles based on empirical evidence.