CHAPTER 1: Research Methods€¦ · 23. Let’s say you are conducting research to test the idea that regular flossing reduces the incidence of gum disease. In this hypothetical design,

4

CHAPTER 1: Research Methods

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A meta-analysis study __________.

a. is a powerful statistical test that combines the results of many studies

b. attempts to replicate as many prior studies as possible

c. examines alcohol use in adolescents

d. involves groups of researchers conducting similar studies

ANS: A DIF: Medium OBJ: Factual

REF: Introduction

2. The difference between an experimental design and a quasi-experimental design is that __________.

a. only quasi-experimental designs use random assignment

b. quasi-experimental designs are specifically designed to investigate alcohol effects;

experimental designs are not

c. only experimental designs use random assignment

d. experimental design studies are specifically designed to investigate alcohol effects; quasi-

experimental designs are not

ANS: C DIF: Medium OBJ: Factual

REF: Introduction

3. Matt is a well-experienced researcher investigating the effects of college drinking patterns on later life

success. Because Matt is aware of the meta-analysis study conducted by Filmore and described in your

book, he realizes he may be unable to avoid a fatal flaw of many alcohol studies; that is, he may be

unable to __________.

a. account for age differences across subjects

b. use nonrandom assignment when placing subjects into groups

c. use random assignment of subjects into groups

d. control the kind of alcohol consumed by subjects

ANS: C DIF: Medium OBJ: Applied

REF: Introduction

4. Why might a researcher investigating the health of alcohol users versus nonusers NOT use random

assignment?

a. Random assignment cannot be used in humans.

b. Random assignment would have involved convincing people to drink or not drink, based

on their group assignment.

c. Alcohol users cannot be randomly assigned to abstinence groups.

d. All of the above.

ANS: B DIF: Medium OBJ: Applied

REF: Introduction

Research Methods

5

5. Introspection involves __________.

a. random assignment

b. insight into how your own mind or behavior works

c. factual evaluation of individual behavior

d. none of the above

ANS: B DIF: Easy OBJ: Factual

REF: Making Observations

6. An empirical claim involves __________.

a. introspection c. proof that something is true

b. quasi-experimental methods d. claims about facts

ANS: D DIF: Easy OBJ: Factual

REF: Making Observations: Defining the Question

7. Which of the following include the two major forms of data collection for psychologists?

a. observational studies and introspection

b. introspection and experimental studies

c. observational studies and experimental studies

d. reliable and unbiased data collection

ANS: C DIF: Easy OBJ: Applied


8. Which of the following include major questions to be answered when conducting observation?

a. who to observe c. what to observe

b. where to observe d. all of the above

ANS: D DIF: Medium OBJ: Applied


9. Why is the scientific method so important for psychology?

a. It allows psychologists to test empirical claims.

b. It allows psychologists to prove things correct or incorrect.

c. It helps separate out correct from incorrect claims.

d. Both a and c.

ANS: D DIF: Medium OBJ: Conceptual


10. In a scientific experiment, the variable that is measured by the experimenter to determine whether it

has changed is called the __________.

a. dependent variable c. experimental group

b. independent variable d. sample

ANS: A DIF: Easy OBJ: Factual

REF: Making Observations: Systematically Collecting Data

Chapter 1

6

11. In a scientific experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the experimenter to determine its effect

is called the __________.





12. A percentage of correct answers on some test, or the number of seconds needed to complete a

particular task, can be assessed directly, and therefore are both good examples of __________.

a. dependent variables c. demand characteristics

b. independent variables d. confounds

ANS: A DIF: Easy OBJ: Applied


13. Emma has a tendency to recall evidence that confirms her hypothesis or viewpoint, but has a more

difficult time recalling contrary evidence. Emma is demonstrating a phenomenon called __________.

a. confirmation bias c. demand characteristics

b. report bias d. confounds



14. Jarod is in the beginning stages of developing his experiment. According to the scientific method,

where should he begin?

a. with the accumulation of data c. with the identification of a control group

b. with a testable hypothesis d. with anecdotal evidence

ANS: B DIF: Easy OBJ: Applied


15. Disconfirmation of a hypothesis __________.

a. is an important part of the scientific method

b. occurs only when an experiment is poorly conducted

c. is necessarily the end point in a research program

d. leads most researchers to repeat an experiment exactly

ANS: A DIF: Easy OBJ: Conceptual


16. A hypothesis is testable if __________.

a. it can be confirmed

b. it can be disconfirmed

c. it is sufficiently vague

d. virtually any set of circumstances could support it

ANS: B DIF: Easy OBJ: Conceptual


Research Methods

7

17. Face validity is a(n) __________.

a. type of construct validity

b. measure that seems to measure the things it is supposed to measure

c. theory that truly describes how a behavior pattern is constructed

d. operationalization of a behavior

ANS: B DIF: Medium OBJ: Factual


18. Construct validity refers to a(n) __________.

a. operational definition that is true

b. definition that truly reflects the variable named in the hypothesis

c. theory that truly describes how a behavior pattern is constructed

d. defining a behavior to make it into a variable

ANS: B DIF: Medium OBJ: Factual


19. What is an operational definition?

a. a definition of a behavior that translates the variable we want to assess into a specific

procedure or measurement

b. a definition of an operation that translates the variable into an independent variable rather

than a dependent variable

c. a claim about the origin of a behavior

d. both a and c

ANS: D DIF: Medium OBJ: Factual


20. Which of the following is an example of an operational definition?

a. the amount of alcohol intake by a given individual each day

b. what a psychologist believes is the reason an individual drinks alcohol

c. asking individuals to determine whether there might be major changes in their lives in the

near future

d. all of the above

ANS: A DIF: Medium OBJ: Applied


21. In a scientific experiment, the variable that is measured by the experimenter to determine whether it

has changed is called the __________, while the variable that is manipulated by the experimenter is

called the __________.

a. dependent variable; independent variable

b. independent variable; dependent variable

c. experimental group; independent variable

d. Dependent variable; operational definition



Chapter 1

8

22. A researcher conducts a study of the effects of drinking or not drinking coffee on calculus test scores

in a group of college students. In this study, the presence or absence of coffee is the __________.





23. Let’s say you are conducting research to test the idea that regular flossing reduces the incidence of

gum disease. In this hypothetical design, what is the independent variable?

a. gum disease c. the severity of the gum disease

b. flossing frequency d. both a and b are independent variables



24. A friend tells you about how she disagrees with current research regarding a particular drug treatment,

because her grandmother took the drug and it worked. But, you know that when friends tell you, even

with certainty, that a particular treatment helped, that in itself does NOT mean the treatment is

effective. After all, friends are more likely to tell you about successful treatments than about

unsuccessful treatments. This problem is called a(n) __________.

a. report bias c. confound

b. dependent variable d. independent variable



25. How does a psychologist decide what, where, or who to observe?

a. They are guided by the questions they hope to address during their observations.

b. They are guided by whether their questions are testable.

c. They are guided by whether their questions use introspection.

d. Both a and b.



26. Which is of the following is a valid reason that scientists refuse to draw conclusions based on

anecdotal evidence?

a. Anecdotal evidence is informally collected.

b. Anecdotal evidence is not derived from the scientific method.

c. Anecdotal evidence may be based on confirmation biases.




27. Which of the following is not important in designing a persuasive experiment?

a. a testable hypothesis c. the presence of report bias

b. systematic data collection d. a well-specified dependent variable

ANS: C DIF: Medium OBJ: Conceptual


Research Methods

9

28. Not all hypotheses are testable. One must avoid hypotheses that are phrased in a fashion that is too

open-ended. Which of the following hypotheses appears to be MOST amenable to scientific test?

a. Bad things come in threes.

b. An important figure will die in the coming year, maybe some time in the month of May or

June or even maybe July, but it could be another month.

c. If one Oscar-winning actor dies, two more will die in that same month, followed by two

months during which no Oscar-winning actors die.

d. Men will sometimes ask women for dates after they have consumed some number of

alcoholic beverages.

ANS: C DIF: Difficult OBJ: Applied


29. John remembers the one time that he changed his mind at the last minute and decided to not board the

airplane—and it crashed. However, he has also remembered that he has flown on an airplane over 200

times, and even changed his plans on many occasions. None of those times the plane crashed. Based

on his experience, John believes he gets premonitions regarding plane crashes. We could call the

conclusions John has made about his flying experience as based on a(n) __________.

a. confirmation bias c. demand characteristics

b. insight and introspection d. an operational definition

ANS: A DIF: Difficult OBJ: Applied


30. When friends tell you, with certainty, that a particular treatment helped them quit smoking, that in

itself does NOT mean the treatment is effective. After all, friends are more likely to tell you about

successful treatments than about unsuccessful treatments. This problem is called a(n) __________.

a. report bias c. confound




31. A subset of the population a researcher is interested in studying is called a(n) __________.

a. sample c. population



REF: Making Observations: Defining the Sample

32. A strategy that deliberately seeks out unusual or extreme cases is called __________.

a. the sampling technique c. maximum variation sampling

b. random assignment d. independent sampling



Chapter 1

10

33. What is the primary purpose of random assignment?

a. to ensure that experimental and control groups start out with the same number

of participants

b. to ensure that experimental and control groups start out with different numbers

of participants

c. to ensure that experimental and control groups start out identical to each other

d. to ensure that experimental and control groups will end up different from each other

ANS: C DIF: Easy OBJ: Factual


34. You are studying how taking a high school psychology course affects performance in college

psychology courses. If you were to include all students who ever will take, have taken, or are currently

taking a high school psychology course, you would be testing the __________ of students who took

psychology in high school.

a. sample c. population




35. Which of the following is an example of a random sampling procedure?

a. accepting the first set of 20 participants who volunteered to participate in the study

b. selecting participants such that every participant has an equal chance of being picked to

participate in the study

c. selecting participants using the odd/even selection criteria, so that every other volunteer is

selected for the study

d. accepting individuals based on preselected criteria for participation in the study



36. Researchers typically use random assignment in an attempt to __________.

a. allow everyone who wants to participate a chance to participate in the study

b. deliberately seek out unusual or extreme cases

c. deliberately avoid unusual or extreme cases

d. provide the same likelihood of being selected to every member of the potential sample



Research Methods

11

37. Johanna wants to study the effects of study guide use on general psychology student test scores. Which

of the following represents the population, and which represents the sample for her study?

a. all possible general psychology students; current general psychology students enrolled at

her university this semester

b. current general psychology students enrolled at her university this semester; all possible

general psychology students

c. the current general psychology students enrolled at her university this semester; the

general psychology students who actually participate in her study

d. the general psychology students who actually participate in her study; the current general

psychology students enrolled at her university this semester



38. A study is considered internally valid if __________.

a. the experimental and control groups are treated differently from one another, except for

experimental manipulation

b. all confounds have been measured

c. the experimental and control groups are treated identically, including experimental

manipulation

d. all confounds have been eliminated


REF: Making Observations: Assessing External Validity

39. External validity means that a study __________.

a. is representative of the world as it is outside of the investigation

b. is measuring only changes in the independent variable

c. has numerous possible confounds

d. is measuring much more than it claims to be measuring


REF: Making Observations: Assessing External Validity

40. Demand characteristics are __________.

a. orders given to participants

b. cues given by the experimenter or stimulus materials

c. the relevant qualities of participants’ personalities

d. expectations of a particular type of behavior in a laboratory setting


REF: Making Observations: Monitoring Demand Characteristics

41. In a double-blind design, __________.

a. neither the investigators nor the study’s participants know who is in the control group and

who is in the experimental group

b. there is no control or experimental group

c. placebo effects are increased

d. confounds are increased



Chapter 1

12

42. Giovanni wants to investigate the effects of a new drug for attention deficit disorder in children. He

has the pharmacist make envelopes of the drug and a control drug for each day of the trial. Neither the

researcher nor the family knows which drug is given on a particular day. Each day the family and the

teacher rate the child’s behavior. At the end of the study the pharmacist reveals which days the child

got the drug. This type of study is using the __________ design.

a. randomization c. placebo

b. double-blind d. quasi-experimental



43. A test uses several questions that are worded in such a way that one answer is obviously correct.

Because of this, __________ may affect the results of the study.

a. demand characteristics c. sampling bias

b. placebo effects d. confirmation bias



44. The best way to avoid demand characteristics is to __________.

a. tell participants which group (experimental or control) they are in when they arrive in the

lab

b. make sure that only the experimenter knows which group participants are in

c. make sure that neither the experimenter nor the participant knows which group each

participant is in

d. put all participants in the control group rather than the experimental group so that they are

all treated the same



45. If an experimenter inadvertently smiles and is more encouraging when research participants answer

questions in a particular way, or if she asks questions in a leading manner, or if she is friendlier to

members of the experimental group than she is to members of the control group, then she is

unintentionally increasing the experiment’s __________.

a. demand characteristics c. double-blind design

b. placebo effect d. internal validity



46. Inferential statistics refer to procedures for __________.

a. examining data that give measures of how confident the researchers can be in drawing

conclusions based on the sample

b. examining data that only summarize the data but do not draw conclusions

c. examining data that give measures of how confident the researchers can be proving their

hypothesis

d. determining whether there was confirmation bias in the study


REF: Working with Data: Descriptive Statistics

Research Methods

13

47. Descriptive statistics refer to procedures for __________.

a. examining data that give measures of how confident the researchers can be in drawing

conclusions based on the sample

b. examining data that only summarize the data but do not draw conclusions

c. examining data that give measures of how confident the researchers can be proving their

hypothesis

d. determining whether there was confirmation bias in the study



48. Frequency distributions __________.

a. are often displayed as a table that lists how many scores are in each of several designated

categories

b. help researchers determine patterns in the data

c. provide a summary the data

d. all of the above



49. A mean or average is a measure of __________.

a. the central tendency of the data

b. the most frequently occurring data point value

c. the middle value within all of the data point values

d. all of the above



50. The variability of one’s data set refers to the __________.

a. central tendency of the data

b. degree to which individual values differ from one to the next

c. size of the sample

d. kind of sample the researcher is using



51. In a negative correlation, as one variable increases, the value of the other variable __________.

a. decreases c. stays the same

b. increases d. randomly varies



Chapter 1

14

52. Reliability refers to an assessment of __________.

a. the degree of variability in the data set

b. how consistently the subjects performed in the experiment

c. how consistent the measure is in its results

d. the degree of change between the control group and the experimental group



53. A research article you are reading reports the r values of various statistical results. You quickly know

that this research must be a(n) __________ investigation.

a. experimental c. correlational

b. double-blind d. confounded



54. You are conducting a correlational analysis on your data. You find a correlational coefficient of +1.73.

You immediately know that __________.

a. the results must be highly significant

b. the effect was highly effective

c. there was a statistically significant difference in your group

d. you must have made an error in your calculations

ANS: D DIF: Easy OBJ: Applied


55. A researcher gives the test once, lets some time pass, and then gives the same measure again. This

procedure is called the __________ and attempts to measure the __________ of the measure.

a. test-retest; reliability

b. repeat testing; variability

c. inter-time interval procedure; inter-rating reliability

d. variability technique; reliability



56. If a study’s participants are representative of the population as a whole and its stimuli are

representative of stimuli encountered in the real world, then the study is said to have __________.

a. internal consistency c. external validity

b. internal validity d. external consistency



57. Which of the following is not a measure of the central tendency of the data?

a. mean c. standard deviation

b. median d. average



Research Methods

15

58. Which of the following is NOT a way to assess the validity of a measure?

a. variability of the data c. number of observations

b. effect size d. size of the correlation



59. Which of the following can be a significant problem for correlational studies?

a. It is nearly impossible to find an effect in most studies.

b. It can be hard to tell which factor is causing the other.

c. Demand characteristics can be a significant problem.

d. Placebo effects can be a significant problem.

ANS: B DIF: Medium OBJ: Conceptual


60. Which of the following is a common measure of variability of a data set?

a. mean c. average

b. median d. standard deviation



61. Which of the following is most relevant to a study’s external validity?

a. the degree to which the study’s participants reflect the greater population

b. the degree to which the study is measuring what it claims to be measuring

c. the fact that the study is conducted outdoors

d. the degree to which the study’s participants are different from the greater population

ANS: A DIF: Difficult OBJ: Conceptual


62. In a correlational study of level of education and level of depression, the investigators are trying to

observe the relationship between these two variables. This type of study would differ from

experimental studies in several important respects. For instance, __________.

a. in correlational studies, it is difficult to determine what is causing what

b. correlational studies can suffer from what is called the third-variable problem

c. random assignment is not an option in correlational studies

d. all of the above are correct

ANS: D DIF: Difficult OBJ: Applied


Chapter 1

16

63. Inferential statistics __________ while descriptive statistics __________.

a. give measures of how confident the researchers can be in drawing conclusions based on

the sample; summarize the data but do not draw conclusions

b. summarize the data but do not draw conclusions; give measures of how confident the

researchers can be in drawing conclusions based on the sample

c. give measures of how confident the researchers can be proving their hypothesis; determine

whether there was confirmation bias in the study

d. determine whether there was confirmation bias in the study; give measures of how

confident the researchers can be proving their hypothesis

ANS: A DIF: Difficult OBJ: Conceptual


64. Marie analyzes her data and obtains a p-value of 0.001. She can conclude that __________.

a. the results meet the criteria for statistical significance

b. the probability of getting the data pattern is not likely to be due purely to accident

c. it tells us the results are not likely to be due to chance

d. all of the above


REF: Working with Data: Inferential Statistics

65. Which of the following is NOT true of a statistically significant result?

a. It must have a p-value less than 0.05.

b. The probability of getting the data pattern is not likely to be due purely to accident.

c. It tells us the results are not likely to be due to chance.

d. It proves that the experimental manipulation was correct.


REF: Working with Data: Inferential Statistics

66. In a quasi experimental study, the groups __________.

a. were randomly assigned

b. likely exist independent of the research study

c. always involve studies investigating gender effects

d. typically investigate aggression


REF: Observational Studies

67. Which of the following is likely to be a quasi-experimental study?

a. investigating the effects of drug A in rats

b. determining whether pre-exposure to a word set improves retention

c. investigating gender differences in toy play in preschoolers

d. examining whether magnitude of reward increases response rates



Research Methods

17

68. Which of the following is INCORRECT regarding quasi-experimental and correlation studies?

a. They may both utilize data obtained from natural situations.

b. Both use random assignment to a group.

c. Neither study can show causation.

d. Both may involve natural groups of subjects.

ANS: B DIF: Difficult OBJ: Conceptual


69. Scientists refer to the situation in which there exists a possibility that another factor, different from the

dependent and independent variables, may cause changes in both variables as __________.

a. a correlation c. bias

b. the third-variable problem d. confounding variable situation


REF: Observational Studies: Ambiguity about Causation

70. Which of the following statements regarding causation is true?

a. Correlation does not imply causation.

b. Correlation always implies causation.

c. The experimental method cannot show causation.

d. Quasi-experimental methods, but not correlation, can imply causation.



71. The rate of water skiing and barbequing are highly correlated. However, it is likely that the increased

temperature of summertime is the causal variable. This is a good example of __________.

a. a causal relationship c. bias

b. the third-variable problem d. the confounding variable situation

ANS: B DIF: Easy OBJ: Applied


72. A critical difference between quasi-experimental/correlational investigations and experiments is that

only __________.

a. true experiments examine real-world questions

b. quasi-experimental/correlational investigations study real-world questions

c. experiments involve a change or manipulation

d. correlational and quasi-experimental investigations involve a change or manipulation

ANS: C DIF: Medium OBJ: Conceptual


Chapter 1

18

73. In which of the following cases would an observational study be preferable to a traditional

experiment?

a. A researcher wants to know whether a new drug works better than a standard treatment.

b. A researcher is curious whether strawberry or chocolate ice cream tends to improve mood

more.

c. A researcher wants to know whether men are more likely than women to run red lights.

d. Observational studies are preferable to experiments in all of the above cases.



74. A control group should be __________.

a. as different from the experimental group as possible so that an effect can be found

b. matched with the experimental group with respect to the independent variable

c. matched with the experimental group in every way except the independent variable

d. matched with the experimental group in every way except the dependent variable


REF: Establishing Cause and Effect: The Power of Experiments: Experimental Groups versus

Control Groups

75. There seems to be a correlation between schizophrenia and poverty. It may be the case that neither

causes the other. Perhaps a separate factor, such as parental income, accounts best for both

schizophrenia and poverty. This illustrates a problem in assessing causality that is specific to

correlational research and is called __________.

a. the third-variable problem c. random sampling

b. eclecticism d. response bias



Control Groups

76. Which of the following are required in an experiment?

a. an independent variable c. an experimental manipulation.

b. a dependent variable d. all of the above are required

ANS: D DIF: Easy OBJ: Conceptual


Control Groups

77. The control group __________.

a. provides a basis for comparison, allowing the experimenter to assess the effects of the

experimental manipulation

b. must be matched to the experimental group in all respects except for the experimental

manipulation

c. provides a means of reducing demand characteristics

d. both a and b are correct



Control Groups

Research Methods

19

78. A researcher conducts a study of the effects of drinking or not drinking energy drinks on calculus test

scores in a group of college students. In this study, the group that drinks energy drinks is the

__________ group.

a. primary c. control

b. secondary d. experimental



Control Groups

79. Let’s say you want to assess the effect of subliminal suggestions on ratings of attractiveness. You ask

20 students to listen to subliminal tapes and then have them rate the attractiveness of 20 peers. You

discover that all the peers were rated as highly attractive, with a mean of 8 out of a possible 10. Why is

the above experimental design inadequate?

a. It lacks demand characteristics. c. It lacks a dependent variable.

b. It lacks an independent variable. d. It lacks a control group.



Control Groups

80. A random sample is one in which __________.

a. every member of the population has an equal chance of being picked

b. every member of the population is picked

c. some members of the population are more likely than others to be picked

d. the population is selected randomly


REF: Establishing Cause and Effect: The Power of Experiments: Random Assignment

81. The four marbles are randomly chosen from a bag. The four marbles that are chosen compose the

__________; the whole bag of marbles is the __________.

a. experimental group; control group c. control group; experimental group

b. population; sample d. sample; population


REF: Establishing Cause and Effect: The Power of Experiments: Random Assignment

82. A within-subject design guarantees __________.

a. sufficiently different groups to find an effect

b. that an effect will be found

c. precise matching of the groups

d. that all possible confounds are controlled


REF: Establishing Cause and Effect: The Power of Experiments: Within-Subject Comparisons

Chapter 1

20

83. __________ comparisons compare one group to itself in another setting; __________ comparisons

compare two groups in the same setting.

a. between-subject; within-subject c. inter-subject; intra-subject

b. within-subject; between-subject d. intra-subject; inter-subject



84. Because within-subject designs use the same participants in both experimental and control conditions,

these two conditions can easily affect each other. The best way to control the effects of this interaction

is to __________.

a. always run the two conditions in the same order

b. separate the two conditions widely in time

c. separate the two conditions widely in space

d. counterbalance the sequence of the two conditions

ANS: D DIF: Difficult OBJ: Conceptual


85. Internal validity refers to __________.

a. having the properties that allow the conclusion that the independent variable manipulation

produced the changes in the dependent variable

b. having the properties that allow the conclusion that the dependent variable manipulation

produced the changes in the independent variable

c. having the properties that allow the conclusion that the dependent variable(s) reflect real-

world variables

d. having the properties that allow the conclusion that the independent variable(s) reflect

real-world variables


REF: Establishing Cause and Effect: The Power of Experiments: Internal Validity

86. A successful replication of a study is __________.

a. a repetition of a study that yields the same results

b. necessary to show that the results of the first study were not merely a fluke

c. an important step in science

d. all of the above


REF: Establishing Cause and Effect: The Power of Experiments: Beyond the Single Experiment

87. Before a hypothesis is confirmed, results need to be replicated. What does replication mean?

a. the evaluation of the results by peers in the scientific community

b. the statistical analysis of results

c. the application of results to the real world

d. the running of the same experimental procedure with a new group of research participants



Research Methods

21

88. Which of the following is not a technique that allows pooling of information to support an hypothesis?

a. literature review c. replication

b. meta-analysis d. observation

ANS: D DIF: Easy OBJ: Applied


89. Publication of studies in psychology has all of the following functions except __________.

a. allowing for replications

b. allowing others to challenge initial findings with alternative studies

c. opening up particular hypotheses to discussion

d. all of the above are functions of publication



90. Research confirming a particular hypothesis leads to __________.

a. acceptance of the results of the study as fact

b. the sharing of the findings with other researchers to allow for discussion and replication

c. discontinuation of all study related to that hypothesis

d. both a and c

ANS: B DIF: Difficult OBJ: Factual


91. Sam concludes that his theory is proven. What can we conclude about Sam?

a. He has completed lots of research, or he couldn’t have proven this theory.

b. He is open minded but now has sufficient data to make a conclusion.

c. He is likely not a scientist, as a scientist confirms or disconfirms, not proves.

d. He is most likely a scientist, as only scientists have the expertise to prove theories.



92. Under which set of guidelines are psychologists using human participants required to adopt and

follow?

a. American Psychiatric Foundation c. American Board of Psychological Ethics

b. American Psychological Association. d. all of the above


REF: Research Ethics

93. What is meant by the phrase “informed consent”?

a. Participants must be given as much information as possible about the experimental task

prior to the onset of the experiment.

b. Participants must be apprised of any risk prior to the onset of the experiment.

c. The participants must be informed that they can leave or quit the experiment at any time.




Chapter 1

22

94. Which of the following must be protected in psychological research with human participants?

a. their physical safety c. their autonomy and dignity

b. their privacy d. all of the above



95. A typical psychological study proceeds from __________ to __________ to __________.

a. informed consent; debriefing; data collection

b. informed consent; data collection; debriefing

c. debriefing; data collection; informed consent

d. data collection; informed consent; debriefing

ANS: A DIF: Easy OBJ: Conceptual


96. Debriefing must include which of the following?

a. informing the participant about the experiment prior to the onset of the experiment

b. having the experimenter explain any deception or hidden manipulation used in the

experiment at the conclusion of the subject’s participation in the experiment

c. If the study involved manipulation of beliefs, mood or emotion, the investigator must

attempt to undo these changes at the conclusion of the subject’s participation in the

experiment.

d. both b and c



97. The purpose of informed consent is to tell participants __________.

a. whether they will be in the experimental or control group

b. what the expected outcome of the study is

c. what the actual outcome of the study was, after the study has been completed

d. what the study will involve and what the relevant risks are, and to inform participants that

they are free to leave the study if they wish



98. What might be a consequence for researchers who do not follow the U.S. government and APA

regulations governing research with human and animal participants?

a. loss of current and future funding from federal and state grant agencies

b. acceptance of the resulting manuscript in a minor, but not a major, research journal

c. requirement to pay for the research from his or her own pocket

d. all of the above



Research Methods

23

99. Deception __________.

a. can never be used in psychological research because of ethical concerns

b. is used in most psychological research

c. should be minimized for ethical reasons and followed by careful debriefing

d. is not a problem for psychological research because all participants are debriefed

ANS: C DIF: Difficult OBJ: Factual


100. Shariff is concerned that the informed consent he is required to give may interfere with the validity of

his experiment. He decides to __________ the informed consent because he knows that research ethics

__________ than experimental validity.

a. forego; less important c. continue to provide; less important

b. forego; more important d. continue to provide; more important



101. Ben believes that standing on his head for 5 minutes first thing every day will help him to be in a good

mood all morning. He stands on his head for 5 minutes when he wakes up for3 days in a row. On all

three of these mornings he is in a good mood, so he concludes that standing on his head is responsible.

Which of the following is a potential confound in Ben’s study?

a. the lack of a control condition where Ben does not stand on his head

b. the expectation that standing on his head will put him in a good mood

c. the very small amount of data that he collects (just 3 days’ worth)

d. all of the above



102. When discussing the various types of research methods available to psychologists, most psychologists

would agree that __________.

a. an experiment that provides conclusions about causation is always the best approach to

answering a question

b. psychologists can rarely conduct true experiments because they cannot use random

assignment

c. each type of method has advantages and disadvantages, and the question to be asked

dictates the method used

d. observational methods can only be used with children


REF: The Power of Science

Chapter 1

24

103. How can science help individuals in other areas of their lives?

a. It tells you what to believe.

b. The logic of science can also help individuals draw more sensible conclusions in their

everyday lives.

c. It can help people learn how to conduct experiments to test variables in their everyday

lives.

d. The conclusions in science provide all the necessary information for making conclusions

regarding nonscience information.



104. The difference between common sense and science is that __________.

a. science tells you what to believe

b. the logic of science can also help individuals draw more sensible conclusions in their

everyday lives; common sense does not necessarily rely on logic

c. the logic of common sense an also help individuals draw more sensible conclusions in

their everyday lives; science cannot help in one’s everyday life

d. the conclusions in science provide the necessary information for making conclusions about

science; common sense provides the necessary information for making conclusions about

all other areas of one’s life

ANS: B DIF: Difficult OBJ: Conceptual


Documents

CHAPTER 1: Research Methods€¦ · 23. Let’s say you are conducting research to test the idea that regular flossing reduces the incidence of gum disease. In this hypothetical design,