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Topic 2: Research Methods

Practice Test

Practice Test

This activity contains 36 questions.

	___ is the second step of the scientific method.   Specifying a problem Testing a theory Testing the hypothesis Observing events Forming a hypothesis

	___ represent(s) objective observations.   Variables Hypotheses Theories Predictions Data

	A(n) ___ theory can be rejected if its predictions aren't confirmed.   impractical operational valid falsifiable justified

	Suppose a researcher randomly assigns participants to drink 0, 3, or 5 beers and then tests whether they can walk a straight line. In this study, the independent variable would be ___.   the number of beers consumed whether the subject could walk the straight line the subjects who drank beer the alcohol tolerance level of the subjects the subjects who did not consume any beer

	A(n) ___ variable is another possible aspect of the situation that has become entangled with the aspects the researcher has chosen to vary.   control independent confounding dependent experimental

	Suppose a researcher compares the overall life happiness reported by AIDS and cancer patients. In doing such a study, the researcher will MOST LIKELY use a(n) ___ design.   quasi-experimental quasi-correlational naturalistic correlational experimental

	Which of the following correlation coefficients would be considered the "strongest?"   -.65 +15 0 -.78 +.65

	All researchers should assume that correlation does   not imply correctness not imply importance not imply causation. imply causation. imply meaningfulness

	When a researcher focuses on a single instance of a situation, he or she is undertaking a(n) ___ study.   naturalistic case quasi-experimental survey correlational

	___ validity measures assess variables specified by a theory.   Construct Face Criterion Reliable Content

	The study of ___ is an example of psuedopsychology.   astrology astronomy religious beliefs mental processes love

	___ are numbers that summarize or indicate differences or patterns of differences in measurements.   Descriptives Operational definitions Statistics Experiments Data

	If you've consumed a placebo, then you've taken a(n)   absolutely nothing. medically active substance. medically inactive substance. experimental drug. dangerous substance.

	Given the following raw data: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, which of the following statements is TRUE?   The data comes from a skewed distribution. The median is greater than the mode. The mode is seven. The mean equals the median. The mean is greater than the median.

	Examining the wear in stone stairs of a very old building MOST closely helps to illustrate the essence of the ___.   mean standard deviation central tendency normal distribution skewed distribution

	In order to determine the range of scores, you simply have to   state the smallest and largest scores. take the square root of the largest value. subtract the smallest score from the largest and then divide by the number of cases. subtract the smallest score from the largest. square the differences of each score from the mean.

	In a normal distribution, roughly ___ percent of scores within plus or minus two standard deviations from the mean.   68 50 100 95 37

	Becky just found out that she scored at the seventh decile on an exam. This means that   70% of the scores fall at or below Becky's score. 70% of the scores are higher than Becky's score. 70% of the scores fall at or higher than Becky's score. 70% of the scores fall below Becky's score. Becky scored in the top 7% of her class.

	Suppose you're reading about a psychology study and you see the notation of "p <.05." Upon seeing this, you should assume (that)   the result is meaningful and important. inferential statistics haven't been used. absolutely nothing. the result is statistically significant. there is a positive correlation between the variables.

	___ can exaggerate 3-D bar size.   Linear perspective Shaping Size constancy Texture gradients Retinal disparity

	(A) ___ can inform you as to whether a measured difference is due to chance alone.   Mean Mode Standard deviation Graph None of the above

	In the QALMRI method, the "A" stands for ___.   addition affect answer alternatives appropriateness

	If you're trying to determine the apparatus used in an experiment, then you should refer to the ___ section of a research report.   Introduction Footnotes Discussion Results Method

	A researcher's hypothesis is typically explained in depth in the ___.   Introduction Results section Hypothesis section Discussion section Method section

	Mental practice   worsens performance. has no effect on performance. improves performance. depends on the specific movements you imagine. has unknown effects on performance.

	Response bias is a tendency to respond in a particular way regardless of respondents' actual knowledge or beliefs.    True  False

	Most psychologists study data from a population.    True  False

	Factor analysis is a technique that allows researchers to combine results from different studies.    True  False

	The same data can be manipulated to "say" different things.    True  False

	The principle that "less is more" can be very misleading when interpreting graphs.    True  False

	Only shortening---and not lengthening---the Y Axis can be misleading.    True  False

	Line graphs are better than bar graphs when trying to illustrate trends.    True  False

	The QALMRI method is only helping in understanding the meaning of a research study in the literature.    True  False

	Briefly outline the six steps of the scientific method.   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

	Briefly contrast the goals of descriptive and inferential statistics and how they are used in research.   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

	Briefly discuss how the QALMRI method can allow you to understand psychological research.   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

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