Research Methods in Psychology

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the fundamental concepts and methodologies used in research methods in psychology.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: research methods psychology experimental design data analysis ethics
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What is the primary goal of descriptive research?

  1. To establish cause-and-effect relationships

  2. To make predictions about future events

  3. To provide a detailed account of a phenomenon

  4. To test hypotheses


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Descriptive research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of a particular phenomenon or situation without attempting to establish cause-and-effect relationships or make predictions.

Which of the following is a type of non-experimental research design?

  1. Randomized controlled trial

  2. Case study

  3. Correlational study

  4. Laboratory experiment


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case studies involve in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event to gain a detailed understanding of a particular phenomenon.

What is the purpose of a hypothesis in scientific research?

  1. To provide a detailed description of the phenomenon being studied

  2. To establish cause-and-effect relationships

  3. To make predictions about future events

  4. To summarize the findings of a study


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A hypothesis is a tentative statement that predicts the outcome of a study and guides the researcher's investigation.

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

  1. A population is a group of individuals who share a common characteristic, while a sample is a subset of the population selected for study.

  2. A population is a group of individuals who share a common characteristic, while a sample is a group of individuals who are not representative of the population.

  3. A population is a group of individuals who are not representative of the population, while a sample is a subset of the population selected for study.

  4. A population is a group of individuals who are not representative of the population, while a sample is a group of individuals who share a common characteristic.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In research, a population refers to the entire group of individuals or objects that the researcher is interested in studying, while a sample is a subset of the population that is selected for study.

What is the purpose of random sampling in research?

  1. To ensure that the sample is representative of the population

  2. To reduce bias in the selection of participants

  3. To increase the generalizability of the findings

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Random sampling is a method of selecting participants for a study in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. This helps to ensure that the sample is representative of the population, reduces bias, and increases the generalizability of the findings.

What is the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable in an experiment?

  1. The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the variable that is measured.

  2. The independent variable is the variable that is measured, while the dependent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher.

  3. The independent variable is the variable that is controlled by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the variable that is not controlled by the researcher.

  4. The independent variable is the variable that is not controlled by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the variable that is controlled by the researcher.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In an experiment, the independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the variable that is measured or observed to see how it is affected by the independent variable.

What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

  1. To provide a baseline for comparison

  2. To reduce bias in the selection of participants

  3. To increase the generalizability of the findings

  4. To ensure that the sample is representative of the population


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A control group is a group of participants in an experiment who do not receive the experimental treatment. The purpose of a control group is to provide a baseline for comparison, so that the effects of the experimental treatment can be evaluated.

What is the difference between internal validity and external validity in research?

  1. Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study is free from bias and confounding variables, while external validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to other populations or settings.

  2. Internal validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to other populations or settings, while external validity refers to the extent to which a study is free from bias and confounding variables.

  3. Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study is free from bias and confounding variables, while external validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be replicated.

  4. Internal validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be replicated, while external validity refers to the extent to which a study is free from bias and confounding variables.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study is free from bias and confounding variables, while external validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to other populations or settings.

What is the purpose of a meta-analysis in research?

  1. To combine the results of multiple studies to provide a more precise estimate of the effect size

  2. To identify potential sources of bias in a study

  3. To evaluate the generalizability of the findings of a study

  4. To determine the statistical significance of the findings of a study


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to provide a more precise estimate of the effect size. This can be useful for identifying trends or patterns across studies and for evaluating the overall strength of the evidence for a particular hypothesis.

What are the three main ethical principles that guide research involving human participants?

  1. Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice

  2. Autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence

  3. Privacy, confidentiality, and anonymity

  4. Informed consent, debriefing, and protection from harm


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The three main ethical principles that guide research involving human participants are respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Respect for persons means that researchers must treat participants with dignity and respect, beneficence means that researchers must act in the best interests of participants, and justice means that researchers must ensure that the benefits and burdens of research are fairly distributed.

What is the purpose of a debriefing session in research involving human participants?

  1. To provide participants with information about the study and their role in it

  2. To obtain feedback from participants about their experience in the study

  3. To address any ethical concerns that participants may have

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The purpose of a debriefing session in research involving human participants is to provide participants with information about the study and their role in it, to obtain feedback from participants about their experience in the study, and to address any ethical concerns that participants may have.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods?

  1. Qualitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of non-numerical data, while quantitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of numerical data.

  2. Qualitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of numerical data, while quantitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of non-numerical data.

  3. Qualitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of data from a small number of participants, while quantitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of data from a large number of participants.

  4. Qualitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of data from a large number of participants, while quantitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of data from a small number of participants.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Qualitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of non-numerical data, such as interviews, observations, and documents, while quantitative research methods involve the collection and analysis of numerical data, such as surveys and experiments.

What is the purpose of a literature review in research?

  1. To identify and summarize existing research on a particular topic

  2. To develop a research question or hypothesis

  3. To design a research study

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The purpose of a literature review in research is to identify and summarize existing research on a particular topic, to develop a research question or hypothesis, and to design a research study.

What is the difference between a correlation and a causation?

  1. A correlation is a relationship between two variables, while a causation is a relationship in which one variable causes the other.

  2. A correlation is a relationship in which one variable causes the other, while a causation is a relationship between two variables.

  3. A correlation is a relationship between two variables that is not necessarily causal, while a causation is a relationship between two variables that is necessarily causal.

  4. A correlation is a relationship between two variables that is necessarily causal, while a causation is a relationship between two variables that is not necessarily causal.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A correlation is a relationship between two variables, while a causation is a relationship in which one variable causes the other. A correlation does not necessarily imply causation, as there may be other factors that are responsible for the relationship between the two variables.

What is the purpose of a research proposal?

  1. To outline the research question or hypothesis, the methods that will be used to investigate the question or hypothesis, and the expected outcomes of the study.

  2. To obtain funding for the research study.

  3. To obtain ethical approval for the research study.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The purpose of a research proposal is to outline the research question or hypothesis, the methods that will be used to investigate the question or hypothesis, the expected outcomes of the study, to obtain funding for the research study, and to obtain ethical approval for the research study.

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