IB Paper 3 - Case Study / Research Methods Quiz

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a laboratory experiment?

• High ecological validity

• Random allocation of participants to conditions

• No manipulation of the independent variable

• Lack of control over extraneous variables

A field experiment differs from a lab experiment because:

• It does not manipulate an independent variable

• It is conducted in a controlled environment

• It takes place in a natural setting

• It has lower ecological validity

What is the primary advantage of a natural experiment?

• High control over variables

• Ethical concerns are minimized

• The independent variable occurs naturally

• Results are easier to replicate

A case study is best characterized by:

• Use of large, representative samples

• Manipulation of variables to establish causation

• In-depth analysis of a single individual or group

• Quantitative data collection

Which of the following best describes a semi-structured interview?

• Only closed-ended questions are used

• Researchers strictly follow a predetermined script

• It combines both structured and unstructured questions

• Participants answer in written form

Which of the following is a key weakness of opportunity sampling?

• Time-consuming to collect participants

• High chance of selection bias

• Requires extensive ethical approval

• Impossible to replicate

Snowball sampling is useful when:

• The population is hard to access

• Random sampling is required

• Large-scale experiments are conducted

• Participants must be randomly allocated

What is the primary limitation of volunteer sampling?

• Participants are forced to take part

• It lacks ecological validity

• It often leads to a WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) sample

• The sample is always too large

Which sampling method ensures that every member of a population has an equal chance of being selected?

• Purposive sampling

• Convenience sampling

• Stratified sampling

• Random sampling

A major limitation of purposive sampling is:

• It is difficult to apply to qualitative research

• It is not representative of the wider population

• It requires random allocation of participants

• It is based on convenience rather than specific characteristics