Research Methods in Psychology

What is the primary purpose of random assignment of subjects to different treatment conditions in an experiment?

To ensure that the treatment conditions are identical for all subjects
To reduce the time difference between the treatment conditions and the subjects' behaviors
To establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the antecedent conditions and the subjects' behaviors
To minimize the impact of environmental factors on the results (correct)

What type of relationship do experiments establish between the antecedent conditions and the subjects' behaviors?

Spatial relationship
Correlational relationship
Temporal relationship (correct)
Causal relationship

What is the primary function of institutional review boards (IRBs) in research ethics?

To provide funding for research projects
To publish research findings in academic journals
To ensure that research proposals follow ethical standards (correct)
To evaluate research proposals for methodological soundness

What is a characteristic of pseudoscience, according to the text?

It has claims that resist empirical testing of specific hypotheses (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of research ethics, according to the text?

To establish a framework of values within which we conduct research (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the value of experiments in establishing a cause-and-effect relationship, according to the text?

They enable researchers to infer a cause-and-effect relationship between the antecedent conditions and the subjects' behaviors (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of control in research?

To apply learned knowledge to effect change or improve behavior (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key requirement for experimentation in research?

Manipulation of aspects of a setting (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of measurement in research?

To assign numerical values to objects or events (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of observation in research?

It is systematic and consistent (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why might a researcher choose to use a nonexperimental or quasi-experimental design?

Because it allows for less risk to subjects (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a necessary condition for experimentation in research?

That the predicted outcome is observable (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary basis of informed consent in research?

The principle of respect for persons (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should happen to participants who wish to withdraw from an experiment?

They should be allowed to withdraw at any time (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of replication in research?

To reproduce the findings of others (A) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of submitted manuscripts are typically printed after peer review?

15-20% (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age at which assent is typically obtained from children?

7 years old (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why might deception be used in research?

When it is the best way to obtain information (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern when constructing questions to avoid confusion?

Avoiding double negatives to ensure clarity (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major step in constructing surveys?

Identifying specific research objectives (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of scale assigns items to distinct categories but does not measure their magnitude?

Nominal scale (D) Signup and view all the answers

What can be a source of ideas for research objectives?

Reviewing research done by others on the topic (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a category that children's responses to the open question might fall into?

Someone looked at me funny (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern when constructing questions to avoid ambiguity?

Keeping items simple and unambiguous (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the experiment with photographs, what was the independent variable?

The size of the pupils (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an operational definition in an experiment?

To specify the exact meaning of a variable in terms of observable operations (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the dependent variable in the experiment with photographs?

The rating of the women's attractiveness (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it necessary to have both conceptual and operational definitions of variables?

Because conceptual definitions are not enough to ensure replicability (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between conceptual and operational definitions?

Conceptual definitions are used in everyday language, while operational definitions are used in carrying out the experiment (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of variables are operational definitions particularly useful for?

Hypothetical constructs (B) Signup and view all the answers