Research Methods Practice Quiz

Which of the following best explains bidirectional ambiguity?

• It means there is no relationship between the two variables.
• It means one variable clearly causes the other.
• It means we are unsure if variable A causes B, or B causes A.
• It means both variables are unrelated to the study.

Answer explanation

Bidirectional ambiguity happens when we don't know whether one variable is causing another or vice versa. For example, we might see a relationship between stress and poor academic performance, but it's unclear if stress causes poor performance or poor performance causes stress.

What is an example of a sampling method that uses a pre-existing group?

• Stratified sampling
• Random sampling
• Self-selected sampling
• Opportunity (convenience) sampling

Answer explanation

• Opportunity sampling involves selecting participants who are easily available or part of a group that already exists, such as students in a classroom or shoppers at a mall.

True or False: A random sample is always the best way to ensure your results apply to the general population.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

While a random sample gives each individual in the population an equal chance of being selected, it’s not always the best way to ensure generalizability. In some cases, a random sample might not represent key subgroups within the population. For example, if you're studying a population with diverse characteristics (e.g., age, income, or cultural backgrounds), a stratified sample (which divides the population into subgroups and randomly selects from each) might provide a better reflection of the population's diversity.

Also, practical limitations (like difficulty accessing the full population) can prevent random sampling from being the most feasible or accurate method. Therefore, while random sampling is often ideal, it’s not a universal solution for every research scenario.

When a psychologist's personal beliefs influence the results of their research, this is called:

• Demand characteristics
• Researcher bias
• Experimenter effect
• Participant variability

Answer explanation

Researcher bias occurs when the researcher’s own beliefs or expectations unintentionally influence the outcome of the study, often making the results less objective.

In a study that examines whether stress impacts academic performance, what is the dependent variable?

• The level of stress
• The academic performance
• The number of study hours
• The school environment

Answer explanation

The dependent variable is what is being measured in the experiment. In this case, academic performance is measured to see if it changes based on levels of stress.

Which of these would NOT be considered a strong research hypothesis?

• There is no relationship between the IV and the DV.
• The independent and dependent variables are clearly operationalized.
• The population is not clearly identified.
• The variables are well defined and measurable.

Answer explanation

A strong hypothesis typically predicts a relationship between the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV). A hypothesis that states there is no relationship is actually a null hypothesis, which is tested to be rejected.

True or False: Social desirability bias occurs when participants answer questions in a way that makes them look better to the researcher.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Social desirability bias happens when participants give answers they think will be viewed favorably, rather than their true responses, often in sensitive or socially judged topics.

Which of these sampling techniques aims to reflect the population demographics in the sample?

• Snowball sampling
• Purposive sampling
• Stratified sampling

Answer explanation

Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into different subgroups (strata) and then sampling from each group in proportion to its size to make the sample more representative.

What could be a problem with using a repeated measures design in a study?

• Participant variability
• Order effects such as fatigue or practice
• Difficulty controlling variables
• Increased sample size requirements

Answer explanation

In a repeated measures design, participants take part in all conditions, which can lead to order effects. They might get tired (fatigue effect) or improve due to practice (practice effect) over time.

If you want to study the effects of a new school platform on student learning, what would be your independent variable?

• The new school platform
• The amount of homework given
• The students' test scores
• The time spent in class

Answer explanation

The independent variable is what the researcher manipulates. In this case, the new teaching platform is what is being tested to see if it affects learning outcomes.