Psychology Research Methods Quiz

A type of research study that uses random assignment to groups and compares the effects of an intervention or treatment.

A research method where data is collected from participants using mailed questionnaires.

A type of questionnaire where participants must choose from a predetermined set of options, often on rating scales.

Tests designed to measure psychological constructs, such as intelligence, personality, or aptitude.

A statement about the expected outcome of a study, assuming that the independent variable has no effect on the dependent variable.

A hypothesis that predicts a specific direction of effect between the independent and dependent variables.

A hypothesis that predicts that there is a relationship between the independent and dependent variables, but does not specify the direction of the effect.

The extent to which a study can be generalized to other situations, times, and populations.

A type of experiment conducted in a real-world setting, often with participants who are unaware they are being studied.

An ethical concern in field experiments where participants may not know they are being studied and cannot provide informed consent.

The ability to duplicate the findings of an experiment under the same conditions, ensuring reliability and validity.

A group in an experiment that doesn't receive the treatment or manipulation being studied. It provides a baseline for comparison.

A variable that the researcher changes or manipulates to see its effect on the dependent variable.

A variable that is measured to see if it is affected by the independent variable.

A strength of experiments where comparisons between groups allow researchers to determine if the independent variable truly caused changes in the dependent variable.

A technique used in experiments to ensure that any observed differences in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable and not other factors.

A research design where participants are randomly assigned to different groups, each representing a different level of the independent variable.

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or manipulation of the independent variable.

The process of randomly assigning participants to different groups in an experiment to ensure equal distribution of individual differences.

Characteristics or traits of participants that could influence the results of an experiment.

Factors that could influence the results of an experiment because participants know they are being observed.

The extent to which the results of a study can be applied to real-life situations.

A type of research study where participants are randomly assigned to groups, and the effects of different treatments (or the lack of treatment) are compared.

The ability of a research study to accurately measure what it is intended to measure.

The ability of a study to have the same effects even if the study is repeated using a different population, time, and place.

Factors that can influence the outcome of an experiment but are not the independent variable. Researchers aim to control these.

A type of experiment conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, where many variables can be carefully manipulated.

Used in RCTs to ensure participants don't know if they are receiving the real treatment or a fake one, helping to isolate the effect of the treatment itself.

Describes a study where participants are unaware of whether they're receiving the actual treatment or a placebo.

The positive effects experienced by participants simply due to their belief that they are receiving a beneficial treatment.

Improving symptoms due to the belief in a treatment, regardless of whether it has any actual medicinal properties.

A technique used in RCTs to minimize bias by ensuring that participants are randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group.

A research method where neither the participants nor the researchers know who is in which group (treatment or control). This ensures that the researchers' expectations don't influence the results.

A group in an experiment that doesn't receive the treatment being studied. They act as a baseline for comparison.

In an RCT, the control group may not receive the treatment until the end of the study. This helps ensure the effectiveness of the treatment, but can also lead to delayed benefits for participants.

In an RCT, ethical concerns arise because participants may not know they're receiving a placebo. This means they may not be giving fully informed consent.

Participants are randomly assigned to different groups in an RCT to ensure that any differences between groups are due to the treatment and not to other factors.

RCTs are a powerful research method for studying cause and effect because they control for extraneous variables and allow researchers to draw strong conclusions about the effectiveness of interventions.

RCTs can delay access to treatment for participants in the control group, which could be harmful to their well-being, especially if the condition is serious.

Since participants are randomly assigned to groups, they are all treated the same way by the experimenters, ensuring that the results are reliable and can be replicated.