Research Methods in Psychology

In an experiment, the independent variable is treated as the ___ and the dependent variable is treated as the ___.

• cause/effect

• effect/cause

Answer explanation

The way I've always remembered this is that the results of the "dependent variable depends on the independent variable".

A researcher wants to conduct a study in which one of the variables is happiness. Since happiness is an abstract concept that can be measured in many different ways, the researcher must ___ the variable.

• Control

• Operationalize

• Manipulate

Answer explanation

When a researcher is studying a concept like happiness, it can be measured in many different ways like, "number of smiles", "number of times one circles "happy" on a mood chart", "number of times laughing"... you get the point. They have to operationalize or clearly define how they're measuring the variable, so future researchers can replicate their study.

True or false: We never prove our findings in research.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

We look to see if the data supports our prediction or falsifies it. One study that has significant results doesn't mean that it's been proven, every scientific study has bias and limitations. No study ever truly samples the full population.

This type of research design is observation without manipulation in the natural environment.

• Naturalistic Observation

• Participant Observation

• Case Study

• Survey Research

This type of research design is observation through direct participation (without manipulation).

• Naturalistic Observation

• Participant Observation

• Case Study

• Survey Research

This type of research design is an in-depth analysis of a unique circumstance, person, or group of people.

• Naturalistic Observation

• Participant Observation

• Case Study

• Survey

Phineas Gage had a large iron rod driven completely through his brain... Researchers were amazed at the changes that came with recovery. What type of research design was used to study Phineas Gage?

• Naturalistic Observation

• Participant Observation

• Case Study

• Survey

This type of research design is quick, easy, and affordable. It allows one to gather the opinions, perspectives, or attitudes of the individuals who participate.

• Naturalistic Observation

• Participant Observation

• Case Study

• Survey

True or false: Correlation is the same thing as causation.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Correlation never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever equals causation. A correlation is a statistic that measures how much two variables jointly explain an outcome.

A positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other ____.

• Increases

• Decreases

• Stays the same