Research Design and Data Analysis: Master the Basics of Psychological Research

Question 1

In a correlational study, what does the researcher do?

Accepted Answer

Measures two or more variables and examines their relationship.

Answer

Randomly assigns participants to different groups.

Answer

Manipulates one variable to see how it affects another.

Answer

Makes predictions about the relationship between variables before the study.

Question 2

To examine the connection between personality traits and job performance in a corporate setting, which research design is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Longitudinal design

Question 3

To analyze the relationship between two continuous variables, which statistical test is most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Correlation analysis

Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Question 4

In research studies, what is the main difference between a between-subjects design and a within-subjects design?

Accepted Answer

How participants are assigned to groups

Answer

The number of participants

Answer

The type of data collected

Answer

The research hypothesis

Question 5

Which characteristic is unique to a correlational research design?

Accepted Answer

The researcher investigates relationships between variables without manipulating them.

Answer

The researcher actively alters variables to study their effects on other variables.

Answer

Participants are randomly assigned to groups to control for external influences.

Question 6

In a correlational study, which correlation type is present when one variable increases and the other variable generally decreases?

Accepted Answer

Negative correlation

Answer

Positive correlation

Answer

Zero correlation

Answer

Curvilinear correlation

Question 7

Which of the following is **not** a type of research design typically employed in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Narrative design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Correlational design

Question 8

In an experimental design, the independent variable is the:

Accepted Answer

Variable that is manipulated by the researcher

Answer

Variable that is measured by the researcher

Answer

Variable that is not controlled by the researcher

Answer

Variable used to compare two or more groups

Question 9

Quasi-experimental designs are used when:

Accepted Answer

The researcher cannot randomly assign participants to groups

Answer

The researcher has a large sample size

Answer

The researcher is studying a rare phenomenon

Answer

The researcher wants to generalize the results to a larger population

Question 10

Correlation coefficients range from:

Accepted Answer

-1 to 1

Answer

0 to 1

Answer

-1 to 0

Answer

0 to +infty

Question 11

The p-value is utilized to assess the:

Accepted Answer

Null hypothesis

Answer

Alternative hypothesis

Answer

Research hypothesis

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Question 12

Statistical significance is achieved when:

Accepted Answer

The p-value is less than 0.05

Answer

The p-value is greater than 0.05

Answer

The research hypothesis is supported

Answer

The null hypothesis is rejected

Question 13

Which of the following is **not** an ethical consideration in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Publishing only positive findings

Answer

Protecting participants from harm

Answer

Obtaining informed consent

Answer

Ensuring confidentiality

Question 14

Which action violates a fundamental principle of research ethics in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Coercing individuals to participate in research

Answer

Respecting participants' rights and autonomy

Answer

Maximizing potential benefits while minimizing potential harms

Answer

Ensuring fair and equitable treatment of all participants

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a type of research design commonly used in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Narrative design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Correlational design

Question 16

In an experimental design, the researcher intentionally manipulates the:

Accepted Answer

Independent variable

Answer

Dependent variable

Answer

Extraneous variable

Answer

Control variable

Question 17

The primary purpose of conducting a power analysis in research is to:

Accepted Answer

Determine the minimum sample size needed for statistical significance

Answer

Analyze the data collected in a research study

Answer

Select the appropriate statistical test for a research study

Answer

Determine the effect size of a research study

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a measure of central tendency?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Answer

Mode

Question 19

Which type of statistical test is used to compare the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 20

Which of the following is a type of non-probability sampling method?

Accepted Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Question 21

The ethical principle that requires researchers to obtain informed consent from participants prior to their involvement in a study is known as:

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Debriefing

Answer

Anonymity

Question 22

Which of the following is a type of experimental design that involves comparing different groups of participants who are randomly assigned to different conditions?

Accepted Answer

Between-subjects design

Answer

Within-subjects design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Correlational design

Question 23

Which of the following statistics is used to measure the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

Pearson's correlation coefficient

Answer

Mean

Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Analysis of variance

Question 24

What is the difference between a population and a sample?

Accepted Answer

A population is the entire group of individuals being studied, while a sample is a subset of the population

Answer

A sample is the entire group of individuals being studied, while a population is a subset of the sample

Answer

A population is the group of individuals being studied at a particular time, while a sample is the group of individuals being studied over a period of time

Answer

There is no difference between a population and a sample

Question 25

What is the null hypothesis in a statistical test?

Accepted Answer

The hypothesis that there is no difference between the groups being compared

Answer

The hypothesis that there is a difference between the groups being compared

Answer

The hypothesis that the independent variable causes the dependent variable to change

Answer

The hypothesis that the dependent variable causes the independent variable to change

Question 26

What is the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics make inferences about the population from the sample

Answer

Inferential statistics summarize data, while descriptive statistics make inferences about the population from the sample

Answer

Descriptive statistics are used to describe the data, while inferential statistics are used to make predictions about the future

Answer

There is no difference between descriptive and inferential statistics

Question 27

Identify the sampling method that is NOT a probability sampling technique:

Accepted Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Question 28

Which aspect is a fundamental limitation of correlational research?

Accepted Answer

Inability to establish causality

Answer

External validity that is difficult to evaluate

Answer

High time and financial requirements for execution

Answer

Bias caused by uncontrolled confounding variables

Question 29

In an independent samples t-test, what does the null hypothesis propose?

Accepted Answer

There is no difference between group means

Answer

There exists a difference between group means

Answer

The group means are identical

Answer

The group variances are equivalent

Question 30

Which measure represents effect size in a chi-square test for independence?

Accepted Answer

Phi coefficient

Answer

Pearson's correlation

Answer

Cohen's d

Answer

Eta squared

Question 31

In a repeated measures ANOVA, which type of error term is employed to test the effect of the within-subjects factor?

Accepted Answer

Within-subjects error

Answer

Between-subjects error

Answer

Sphericity error

Answer

Greenhouse-Geisser error

Question 32

Which test does not make assumptions about data distribution?

Accepted Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Student's t-test

Answer

One-way ANOVA

Answer

Linear regression

Question 33

Which ethical principle obliges researchers to maintain the privacy of participants?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Debriefing

Answer

Beneficence

Question 34

In research involving human participants, which ethical principle serves as the cornerstone for all other ethical considerations?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Data confidentiality

Answer

Participant anonymity

Answer

Research benefits

Question 35

In research design, internal validity refers to:

Accepted Answer

The extent to which a study shows that the relationship between the independent and dependent variables is not due to other factors.

Answer

A minor concern in research design that is difficult to establish.

Answer

Something that can only be achieved in experimental research.

Answer

Solely concerned with the reliability of the measuring instruments used in a study.

Question 36

Design a research study that can effectively investigate the mediating role of a third variable in the relationship between two other variables.

Accepted Answer

Utilize a path analysis with two IVs, a mediator variable (M), and a DV.

Answer

Conduct an experimental study with two independent variables (IVs) and one dependent variable (DV).

Answer

Perform a regression analysis with a single predictor variable and an outcome variable.

Answer

Conduct a t-test with two groups and one DV.

Question 37

What is the main goal of conducting a meta-analysis in research?

Accepted Answer

To combine and analyze quantitative findings from multiple studies to gain a broader understanding of research results

Answer

To determine the most important study in a specific research area

Answer

To evaluate the quality of individual studies

Question 38

In research, which method involves studying a phenomenon in its natural environment without manipulating variables?

Accepted Answer

Observational research

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Correlational research

Question 39

What's the main purpose of power analysis in research?

Accepted Answer

Finding the smallest sample size needed for a certain level of statistical power.

Answer

Assessing the results of a research study.

Answer

Choosing the best statistical test to use.

Answer

Explaining the findings of a research study.

Question 40

In a research study, a researcher wants to compare the average scores on a test among three different groups of participants. Which statistical test is most appropriate for analyzing the data?

Accepted Answer

One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Pearson correlation coefficient

Answer

Student's t-test

Question 41

Why is it important to report an effect size in research findings?

Accepted Answer

To show the strength and practical meaning of a relationship

Answer

To determine if there is a causal relationship between variables

Answer

To calculate the probability of making a Type I error

Question 42

In an experimental design, the researcher:

Accepted Answer

Manipulates one or more independent variables to observe their effects on a dependent variable.

Answer

Studies the relationship between variables without manipulating them.

Answer

Observes the behavior of participants in a natural setting.

Answer

Collects data from non-randomly selected participants.

Question 43

Which statistical test is used to compare the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Question 44

In research involving human participants, which ethical principle is of utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining informed consent from participants

Answer

Prioritizing statistical significance in data analysis

Answer

Expediting participant recruitment to meet deadlines

Answer

Manipulating data to support the hypothesis

Question 45

What is the significance of statistical power in research studies?

Accepted Answer

Statistical power indicates the likelihood of detecting a meaningful effect when one exists.

Answer

Statistical power determines the likelihood of finding no effect when there is none.

Answer

Statistical power calculates the ideal sample size for a study.

Answer

Statistical power is irrelevant in research studies.

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a type of research design used in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Sequential design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Experimental design

Question 47

When designing an experiment, which element is essential to control for?

Accepted Answer

Confounding variables

Answer

Self-report measures

Answer

Small sample size

Answer

Participant bias

Question 48

What is the primary purpose of a quasi-experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Estimating the causal effect of an intervention in the absence of random assignment

Answer

Exploring relationships between variables

Answer

Testing specific hypotheses about a population

Question 49

Which of the following is an advantage of correlational research?

Accepted Answer

Examining relationships between variables in their natural setting

Answer

Ensuring replicability

Answer

Establishing causal relationships

Question 50

How does a population differ from a sample?

Accepted Answer

A population represents the entire group of interest, while a sample is a subset of that group

Answer

A population is always smaller than a sample

Answer

A sample is always representative of the population

Question 51

Which statistical measure represents the central tendency of a data set?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

Regression coefficient

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

Standard deviation

Question 52

In statistical hypothesis testing, what does the null hypothesis represent?

Accepted Answer

The assumption of no difference or relationship between variables

Answer

The hypothesis that a difference or relationship exists

Answer

The assumption of a normal distribution in the data

Question 53

Which of the following software programs is used for statistical analysis?

Accepted Answer

SPSS

Answer

Google Sheets

Answer

Adobe Photoshop

Answer

Microsoft Word

Question 54

What is the primary purpose of randomization in an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

To eliminate or minimize bias by ensuring that the treatment and control groups are comparable.

Answer

To increase the sample size

Answer

To reduce the likelihood of a Type I error

Question 55

What is the primary purpose of a histogram in data analysis?

Accepted Answer

To visually represent the distribution of data for a continuous variable.

Answer

To perform statistical hypothesis testing

Answer

To summarize the central tendency of a dataset

Question 56

Which of the following is a type of inferential statistic?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Answer

Standard deviation

Question 57

What does the null hypothesis in statistical hypothesis testing represent?

Accepted Answer

The claim that there is no significant difference or relationship between variables.

Answer

The claim that the mean of a population is equal to a proposed value

Answer

The alternative hypothesis

Question 58

What is the significance level in statistical hypothesis testing?

Accepted Answer

The probability of rejecting the null hypothesis when it is actually true (Type I error).

Answer

The level of confidence in the results

Answer

The probability of accepting the null hypothesis when it is false (Type II error)

Question 59

What is the main purpose of conducting a power analysis in research?

Accepted Answer

To determine the minimum sample size required to achieve a desired level of statistical power for a given effect size and significance level.

Answer

To calculate the effect size of a study

Answer

To test the statistical significance of the results

Question 60

Which of the following is a valid experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Between-subjects design

Answer

Observational study

Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Case study

Question 61

What is a key limitation of quasi-experimental designs?

Accepted Answer

Lack of true experimental control, limiting causal inferences.

Answer

Unreliable data collection methods.

Answer

Small sample sizes.

Question 62

Which correlational design technique allows researchers to eliminate the influence of specific extraneous variables?

Accepted Answer

Partial correlation

Answer

Rank-order correlation

Answer

Cross-sectional correlation

Question 63

What is the fundamental principle underlying inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

Generalizing from a sample to a population.

Answer

Identifying causal relationships.

Answer

Predicting future outcomes.

Answer

Exploring data patterns.

Question 64

Which statistical test is appropriate for comparing the means of three or more independent groups?

Accepted Answer

Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Pearson's correlation coefficient

Answer

Two-sample t-test

Answer

Chi-square test