Psychology Research Methods

In an experiment studying the impact of meditation on stress, the control group should

• A.not meditate at all.

• B.meditate as often as the experimental group.

• C.be able to choose whether to meditate or not.

• D.meditate more often than the experimental group.

In an experiment, the _________________ variable is tested by the researcher to observe its effect(s) on the _________________ variable.

• A.independent; dependent

• B.first; second

• C.dependent; independent

• D.research; results

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

An experiment is conducted to determine the effects of a training program, delivered through observation, on the distance perception of pilots. Two groups of pilots are used. Group 1 is told they will receive a training program and are shown a television documentary about flying techniques. Group 2 watches a television program that provides the actual observation training. The participants then complete a series of distance perception exercises and receive a total score for the exercises.

Write an operational dependent variable for this study.

Psychology researchers attempt to minimise or eliminate the impact of uncontrolled variables in experiments because the presence of these variables

• A.can affect the measurement of the independent variable.

• B.means that only the uncontrolled variables are measured.

• C.do not enable the researcher to control the dependent variable.

• D.make it difficult to isolate and evaluate the impact of the independant variable.

A special program was run to improve the goal-shooting accuracy of the school's basketballers. A study of the effectiveness of the program was undertaken to determine if it should be used in other schools.

A trial is run before the program is implemented and the average score for the shooters is 52%. The shooters are then randomly divided into two groups. The members of the control group practise shooting for one hour per day, under the supervision of their classroom teacher. The members of the experimental group undertake the special program for one hour per day, under the supervision of their basketball coach. After five sessions, the test is repeated and the scores recorded.

A potential confounding variable in this study is

• A.the classroom teacher versus the expertise of basketball coach.

• B.the health of the basketball players before and after the program.

• C.the height of the basketball players.

• D.the age of each basketballer, and therefore the average age of the group to which they are assigned.

A school principal wanted to do some research into general literacy abilities of students from grades one to four at his school. He divided the students into year levels. He then randomly selected student names out of a hat to participate in his testing. This is an example of what type of sampling?

In an experiment, debriefing of participants most likely includes information about

• A.each participant’s own results in the study.

• B.the number of hours participants will be expected to participate.

• C.the procedures that will be required of participants during the experiment.

• D.the individual results of other participants in the study.

The main purpose of ethical guidelines for research in Psychology is to

• A.minimise the problems that participants cause for researchers.

• B.guarantee that the experimentation runs without problems.

• C.ensure that any results published will not be challenged.

• D.protect the welfare and rights of the participants.

The experimenter effect might occur when participants in an experiment

• A.undergo the same procedures as an experimental group, but do not experience effects of the independent variable(s).

• B.are all tired from participating from experiments throughout the day.

• C.alter their behaviour because of conscious or unconscious cues given to them by the researcher.

• D.consciously or unconsciously affect the behaviour of the experimenters in the experiment.

In a study, injections of saline solution (which contains no chemicals) were shown to be quite effective for relieving pain. This is an example of

• A.an experimenter effect.

• B.a placebo effect.

• C.the experimental effect.

• D.an order effect.