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Unit 1A – Research Methods and Statistics Unit Exam

Total questions: 65

Worksheet time: 3hrs 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Match each research technique with the scenario it best addresses in minimizing confounding variables in an experiment.

a)

replication

1.

Repeating a study to see if the results are consistent

b)

statistical measurement

2.

Using numerical data to analyze experimental results

c)

random assignment

3.

Ensuring participants are placed in groups by chance to control for age or personality differences

d)

operational definitions

4.

Clearly defining variables so they can be measured or manipulated

e)

the double-blind procedure

5.

Preventing both participants and researchers from knowing group assignments to reduce bias

2.

In a group of five individuals, two report annual incomes of 10,000,andtheotherthreereportincomesof10,000, and the other three report incomes of 14,000, 15,000,and15,000, and 31,000, respectively. The mode of this group's distribution of annual incomes is

a)

$10,000.

b)

$15,000.

c)

$16,000.

d)

$31,000.

e)

$80,000.

3.

An experiment was designed to study the potential impact of alcohol consumption on emotional stability. A specification of the procedures used to measure emotional stability illustrates

a)

the independent variable.

b)

an operational definition.

c)

the double-blind procedure.

d)

random assignment.

e)

the dependent variable.

4.

In order to learn about the political attitudes of all students enrolled at Arizona State University, Professor Marlow randomly selected 800 of these students to complete a questionnaire. In this instance, all the students enrolled at Arizona State University are considered to be a(n)

a)

independent variable.

b)

representative sample.

c)

control.

d)

dependent variable.

e)

population.

5.

A correlation coefficient is a measure of the

a)

difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.

b)

average squared deviation of scores from a sample mean.

c)

direction and strength of the relationship between two variables.

d)

statistical significance of a difference between two sample means.

e)

frequency of scores at each level of some measure.

6.

Which of the following statements is most correct about the relationship between correlation and causation?

a)

Correlations are statistical relationships, causations are logical relationships.

b)

Correlation indicates the possibility of a causal relationship, but it does not prove causation.

c)

If one variable is strongly positively correlated with another variable, the relationship is causal.

d)

if one variable is strongly negatively correlated with another variable, the relationship is not causal.

e)

Both correlations and causations need to be proven with experimental data.

7.

Hypotheses are best described as

a)

assumptions.

b)

replications.

c)

explanations.

d)

confirmations.

e)

predictions.

8.

The biggest danger of relying on case-study evidence is that it

a)

is based on naturalistic observation.

b)

may be unrepresentative of what is generally true.

c)

overestimates the importance of operational definitions.

d)

leads us to underestimate the causal relationships between events.

e)

relies mostly on correlational rather than causational evidence.

9.

A researcher interested in proving a causal relationship between two variables should choose the (a)   research method.

Choose from the below words
correlation
survey
naturalistic observation
experiment
case study
10.

Professor Smith told one class that alcohol consumption has been found to increase sexual desire. He informed another class that alcohol consumption has been found to reduce sexual appetite. The fact that neither class was surprised by the information they received best illustrates the power of

a)

overconfidence.

b)

replication.

c)

the hindsight bias.

d)

the double-blind procedure.

e)

the placebo effect.

11.

To learn about the TV viewing habits of all the children attending Oakbridge School, Professor DeVries randomly selected and interviewed 50 of the school's students. In this instance, all the children attending the school are considered to be a(n)

a)

population.

b)

representative sample.

c)

independent variable.

d)

control condition.

e)

dependent variable.

12.

Researchers are interested in studying the relationship between poor prenatal nutrition and early cognitive development. Because of ethical concerns, which research method would be most appropriate for researchers to use?

a)

survey

b)

case study

c)

experimentation

d)

correlational

e)

naturalistic observation

13.

Match each research method or concept with its correct description as used in psychological studies.

a)

naturalistic observation.

1.

Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

b)

the hindsight bias.

2.

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it.

c)

random sampling.

3.

A process for selecting a representative group from the population under study.

d)

the double-blind procedure.

4.

Neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the treatment or the placebo.

e)

replication.

5.

Repeating the essence of a research study to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

14.

In a drug treatment study, participants given a pill containing no actual drug are receiving a(n)

a)

random sample.

b)

experimental treatment.

c)

double-blind.

d)

replication.

e)

placebo.

15.

Knowing the difference between an experimental condition and a control condition is most relevant to understanding the nature of

a)

correlations.

b)

random sampling.

c)

replication.

d)

independent variables.

e)

hindsight bias.

16.

Match each statistical measure to the scenario where it would be the most appropriate to use in determining housing values in a particular community.

a)

range

1.

To describe the difference between the highest and lowest housing prices

b)

mode

2.

To identify the most frequently occurring housing price

c)

median

3.

To find the middle value of housing prices, especially when there are outliers

d)

mean

4.

To calculate the average housing price

e)

standard deviation

5.

To measure how much housing prices vary from the average

17.

In the 1800s, the activist Dorothea Dix led a movement in support of

a)

using introspection as a therapeutic procedure

b)

eliminating the policy of deinstitutionalization

c)

adopting the belief that mental disorders occur when people fail to conform to society’s expectations

d)

outlawing the practice of surgical lobotomy

e)

improving the treatment of patients with mental disorders who were housed in asylums

18.

In an experiment designed to study the effectiveness of a new drug, research participants who receive a placebo are participating in the ________ condition.

a)

dependent variable

b)

correlational

c)

experimental

d)

replication

e)

control

19.

In the hypothesis “Students who study a list of terms in the morning, just after waking up, will recall more terms than students who study the list just before falling asleep,” what is the dependent variable?

a)

list of terms

b)

memorization

c)

time of day

d)

number of terms remembered

e)

students

20.

Following the scientific discovery that a specific brain structure is significantly larger in violent individuals than in those who are nonviolent, a news headline announced: “Enlarged Brain Structure Triggers Violent Acts.” The headline writer should most clearly be warned about the dangers of

a)

perceiving illusory correlations.

b)

explaining events in hindsight.

c)

confusing correlation with causation.

d)

generalizing from unrepresentative samples.

e)

discerning order in random events.

21.

The most commonly reported measure of central tendency is the

a)

mode.

b)

mean.

c)

normal distribution.

d)

median.

e)

standard deviation.

22.

According to Professor Fayad, we like people who like us because their affection for us boosts our own self-esteem. His idea is an example of

a)

naturalistic observation.

b)

illusory correlation.

c)

hindsight bias.

d)

replication.

e)

a theory.

23.

Which technique involves repeating the essence of an earlier research study with different participants and in different circumstances?

a)

replication

b)

correlational research

c)

random sampling

d)

naturalistic observation

e)

the double-blind procedure

24.

Which of the following questions most likely could be answered using an empirical approach?

a)

Is human nature basically good or evil?

b)

What causes aggression?

c)

What happens after we die?

d)

How will style choices change in the future?

e)

What is the basis of faith?

25.

Researchers use experiments rather than other research methods in order to distinguish between (a)  

Choose from the below words
facts and theories.
causes and effects.
case studies and surveys.
random samples and representative s
hypotheses and operational definiti
26.

George was worried about his bakery's new cupcakes after two customers disliked them on the first day, but when he surveyed his customers over the next week, more than 90% of the customers said they loved them. By giving too much weight to those two customers before the survey, George almost committed an error known as

a)

a sampling bias.

b)

wording effects.

c)

a replication error.

d)

confusing correlation with causation.

e)

not following ethical guidelines.

27.

When provided with the unscrambled solution to anagrams, people underestimate the difficulty of solving the anagrams by themselves. This best illustrates

a)

illusory correlation.

b)

hindsight bias.

c)

the placebo effect.

d)

wording effects.

e)

overconfidence.

28.

Professor Ober carefully observes and records the behaviors of children in their classrooms in order to track the development of their social and intellectual skills. Professor Ober is most clearly engaged in

a)

survey research.

b)

naturalistic observation.

c)

experimentation.

d)

replication.

e)

correlation.

29.

When you question whether anecdotal evidence can be generalized to all people, you are applying (a)  

Choose from the below words
overconfidence.
the placebo effect.
the hindsight bias.
random assignment.
critical thinking.
30.

If the correlation between the physical weight and reading ability of children is +0.85, this would indicate that

a)

there is very little statistical relationship between weight and reading ability among children.

b)

low body weight has a negative effect on the reading abilities of children.

c)

better reading ability is associated with greater physical weight among children.

d)

body weight has no causal influence on the reading abilities of children.

e)

weight is a causal variable dependent on reading ability.

31.

To understand the unusual behavior of an adult client, a clinical psychologist carefully investigates the client's current life situation and his physical, social-cultural, and educational history. Which research method has the psychologist used?

a)

the survey

b)

the case study

c)

experimentation

d)

naturalistic observation

e)

correlation

32.

Introspection as practiced by early structuralists is best illustrated by which of the following behaviors?

a)

Describing one's immediate sensations while looking at a rose

b)

Determining the best way for children to learn in school

c)

Conditioning an infant to fear rabbits

d)

Recalling one's unconscious desires

e)

Creating intelligence tests for use in the military

33.

According to the ethical guidelines set by the American Psychological Association (APA), which of the following is true of psychological research in which animals are used as subjects?

a)

It must not involve the use of surgical procedures.

b)

It is no longer permitted by the APA without special authorization.

c)

It should conform to all APA ethical guidelines for animal research.

d)

It must be limited to investigations that use correlational procedures.

e)

It may not be conducted by psychologists who do not have a license.

34.

A researcher uses debriefing when he (a)  

Choose from the below words
uses deception in a study
has a study approved by the Institu
has a study approved by the Institu
explains the purpose of a study bef
explains the true purpose of a stud
35.

John B. Watson is best known as the founder of

a)

behaviorism

b)

functionalism

c)

rationalism

d)

structuralism

e)

mechanism

36.

A disadvantage of longitudinal studies is that

a)

Differences observed among participants of different ages are usually due to differences in the environment in which they were reared

b)

participants who drop out during the course of the study may be different in important ways from ones who do not drop out

c)

unfamiliarity with testing situations can put older participants at a disadvantage

d)

personality traits do not remain constant across the life span

e)

men and women confront different developmental crises in the course of their lives because of their different social roles

37.

Ten participants in a treatment group were asked to rate their feelings of self-worth on a scale of one to ten, with a value of ten indicating a very positive feeling of self-worth. The data for the participants are above. What is the mode for these data?

a)

4

b)

5

c)

6

d)

7

e)

8

38.

A double-blind control is essential for which of the following?

a)

A study comparing the IQ test scores of children from different educational systems

b)

A study of relationships among family members

c)

An experiment to determine the effect of a food reward on the bar-pressing rate of a rat

d)

Assessment of a treatment designed to reduce schizophrenic symptoms

e)

A survey of drug use among teenagers

39.

A psychologist designed a study to test the effects of cell phone use on driving safety. Participants were randomly assigned either to drive an automobile simulator while talking to a friend on a cell phone or to drive a simulator without talking on a phone. Which type of research does the scenario describe?

a)

Participant observation

b)

Naturalistic observation

c)

Correlational

d)

Case study

e)

Experimental

40.

A survey shows that children who have encyclopedias in their homes earn better grades in school than children whose homes lack encyclopedias. The researcher concludes that having encyclopedias at home improves grades. This conclusion is erroneous primarily because the researcher has incorrectly

a)

failed to allow for experimenter bias

b)

identified the independent variable

c)

identified the dependent variable

d)

inferred correlation from causation

e)

inferred causation from correlation

41.

A teacher finds the distribution of scores on a final exam to be positively skewed with low variability. On the basis of this information, the teacher would be most justified in concluding that

a)

a small number of students in the class did poorly on the exam

b)

the students in her classroom have a very wide range of intellectual abilities

c)

the exam was too difficult

d)

the exam is not a reliable assessment tool

e)

most of her students are of above average ability

42.

A test has a mean of 80 with a standard deviation of 4. A score that is within one standard deviation of the mean is (a)  

Choose from the below words
75
77
86
90
99
43.

A test with normally distributed results was returned to a class of 100 students. Later, the teacher realized an error was made and added 10 points to each student's score. Which of the following must have changed as a result of the increase in scores?

a)

A student's percentile rank

b)

The standard deviation of the scores

c)

The variance of the scores

d)

The skew of the distribution

e)

The mode

44.

An instructor conducted an experiment to determine the effects of two different methods of study on the amount students learned in introductory physics. The results showed that the average amount learned by the group using one method was greater than the average amount learned by the group using the other. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Which of the following is the most appropriate conclusion to be drawn?

a)

The group of students attaining the higher mean score had studied more than the other group.

b)

The better study method will have different effects for students of varying levels of ability.

c)

Neither group learned a significant amount.

d)

There is a positive correlation between the results of the two methods.

e)

There is a possibility that the difference between the two groups occurred by chance.

45.

Dr. Grayson is interested in studying the relationship between weight loss and mood. To conduct the study, Dr. Grayson analyzes the results of several previous studies on weight loss and emotional state. Which research strategy is Dr. Grayson using?

a)

Meta-analysis

b)

Naturalistic observation

c)

An experiment

d)

A survey

e)

A case study

46.

Match each description with the correct aspect of informed consent.

a)

Explaining only the benefits of the study

1.

Describing only positive outcomes to participants

b)

Informing participants of procedures, risks, and rights before participation

2.

Providing all necessary information for voluntary participation

c)

Allowing deception without explanation

3.

Using misleading information without participant awareness

d)

Keeping participant data confidential

4.

Ensuring privacy of participant information

47.

Which ethical guideline ensures that participants can leave a study at any time without penalty?

a)

Confidentiality

b)

Protection from harm

c)

Right to withdraw

d)

Informed consent

48.

Which ethical principle protects the privacy of participants’ personal information?

a)

Debriefing

b)

Confidentiality

c)

Right to withdraw

d)

Institutional review

49.

After a study, researchers explain the true purpose of the experiment and provide resources to participants. This process is known as:

a)

Informed consent

b)

Debriefing

c)

Confidentiality

d)

Voluntary participation

50.

In psychological research, deception is permitted only if:

a)

It entertains participants

b)

It is necessary, does not harm participants, and is revealed in debriefing

c)

The researcher prefers it

51.

Which group oversees and approves research involving human participants in the United States?

a)

American Psychological Association (APA)

b)

Congress

c)

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

d)

Research Methods Committee

52.

Match each guideline with its description regarding the use of animals in psychological research.

a)

Using animals only for observational studies

1.

Permitting only non-intrusive observation of animals in research

b)

Providing humane housing, care, and minimizing suffering

2.

Ensuring ethical treatment and welfare of animals during studies

c)

Avoiding use of animals under all circumstances

3.

Prohibiting animal involvement in any research activities

d)

Obtaining written consent from animal owners

4.

Requiring formal approval from those responsible for the animals

53.

Which ethical guideline is violated if participants are physically or emotionally harmed during a study?

a)

Debriefing

b)

Protection from harm

c)

Confidentiality

d)

Right to withdraw

54.

If a study involves minors, which additional step is required?

a)

Informing teachers only

b)

Allowing children to decide independently

c)

Obtaining parental consent and child assent

d)

Keeping results anonymous

55.

Why is replication connected to ethical standards?

a)

It ensures researchers get the same participants again

b)

It prevents plagiarism

c)

It confirms reliability of results and avoids misleading claims

d)

It allows deception

56.

The biological perspective in psychology focuses on:

a)

Cultural values shaping behavior

b)

Brain structures, genetics, and neurotransmitters

c)

Observable behavior only

d)

Childhood unconscious conflicts

57.

Which perspective emphasizes observable actions and reinforcement over internal processes?

a)

Cognitive

b)

Behavioral

c)

Humanistic

d)

Sociocultural

58.

According to the cognitive perspective, memory, thought, and problem-solving are explained by:

a)

Social influence

b)

Reinforcement

c)

Mental processes

d)

Childhood experiences

59.

The psychodynamic perspective stresses that behavior is driven by:

a)

Immediate rewards and punishments

b)

Cultural norms

c)

Unconscious motives and early childhood experiences

d)

Brain structures

60.

Which perspective highlights personal growth, free will, and self-actualization?

a)

Biological

b)

Cognitive

c)

Humanistic

d)

Evolutionary

61.

A researcher studies how peer pressure affects teenagers’ behavior. Which perspective best explains this?

a)

Evolutionary

b)

Sociocultural

c)

Cognitive

d)

Biological

62.

Which perspective explains behavior in terms of natural selection and adaptation?

a)

Psychodynamic

b)

Evolutionary

c)

Humanistic

d)

Behavioral

63.

According to the behavioral perspective, phobias are best explained as:

a)

Results of unconscious conflicts

b)

Natural brain responses

c)

Learned behaviors through conditioning

d)

Cultural influences

64.

Which perspective would examine how serotonin levels influence depression?

a)

Cognitive

b)

Behavioral

c)

Biological

d)

Humanistic

65.

Which perspective emphasizes how society, culture, and environment shape an individual's behavior?

a)

Biological

b)

Evolutionary

c)

Sociocultural

d)

Cognitive