#1
Which of the following is a characteristic of experimental research?
High level of control over variables
ExplanationExperimental research emphasizes controlling variables to establish causal relationships.
#2
What does the term 'random assignment' refer to in psychological research?
Assigning participants to experimental conditions in a random manner
ExplanationRandom assignment ensures each participant has an equal chance of being in any experimental group.
#3
What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
To provide a baseline for comparison
ExplanationControl groups establish a baseline against which the effects of experimental manipulations can be compared.
#4
Which of the following is NOT a type of non-experimental research design?
Experimental research
ExplanationExperimental research involves manipulating variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
#5
Which of the following is an example of a longitudinal study?
A study that follows the same group of participants over an extended period
ExplanationLongitudinal studies track participants over time to observe changes and developments.
#6
What is the purpose of debriefing in psychological research involving human participants?
To inform participants about the goals and procedures of the study
ExplanationDebriefing ensures participants understand the study's purpose and procedures after their involvement.
#7
Which statistical measure assesses the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables?
Correlation coefficient
ExplanationCorrelation coefficient quantifies the relationship between variables, ranging from -1 to 1.
#8
In a double-blind procedure, who among the following is unaware of which participants are in the control group and which are in the experimental group?
Both the participants and the researchers
ExplanationDouble-blind procedures prevent bias by keeping both participants and researchers unaware of group assignments.
#9
What does the term 'reliability' refer to in psychological measurement?
Consistency of results over time
ExplanationReliability indicates the consistency and stability of measurement outcomes across repeated trials or over time.
#10
Which research method is best suited for investigating cause-and-effect relationships?
Experimental study
ExplanationExperimental studies provide the best means for establishing causal relationships between variables.
#11
Which of the following best describes the placebo effect?
The tendency for participants to improve simply because they believe they are receiving treatment
ExplanationThe placebo effect highlights the impact of belief or expectation on treatment outcomes.
#12
What is the main advantage of using a random sample in survey research?
It ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being included
ExplanationRandom sampling increases the likelihood of a representative sample and minimizes bias.
#13
What is a confounding variable in psychological research?
A variable that interferes with the relationship between the independent and dependent variables
ExplanationConfounding variables obscure true relationships between independent and dependent variables.
#14
What is a quasi-experimental design?
A research design where participants are not randomly assigned to groups
ExplanationQuasi-experimental designs lack random assignment, making it difficult to establish causality.
#15
In an observational study, what is the role of the researcher?
To passively observe and record behavior in a natural setting
ExplanationResearchers in observational studies refrain from interfering, merely observing and recording behavior.
#16
What is the purpose of a hypothesis in scientific research?
To provide a tentative explanation for observed phenomena
ExplanationHypotheses offer testable predictions or explanations for observed phenomena, guiding scientific inquiry.
#17
What is the purpose of statistical significance testing in psychological research?
To determine whether the results are meaningful or due to chance
ExplanationStatistical significance testing assesses the probability that observed differences or relationships are not due to chance.