Research methods in psychology worksheet with answers

A Type II error occurs when a researcher:

1. AUses the wrong statistical test
2. BMeasures the wrong dependent variable
3. CRejects a null hypothesis that is actually true, finding an effect that is not there
4. DFails to reject a null hypothesis that is actually false

In psychology, the conventional significance level used to decide whether a result is statistically significant is:

1. Ap < 0.50
2. Bp < 0.05
3. Cp > 0.95
4. Dp < 0.20

A small-scale trial run of a study before the main research is called:

1. AA pilot study
2. BA meta-analysis
3. CA replication
4. DA field experiment

A study conducted only with American undergraduates may lack:

1. AContent validity
2. BInternal consistency
3. CPopulation validity
4. DInter-rater reliability

In a perfectly normal distribution:

1. AThe mean is always larger than the median
2. BThe mean, median and mode are equal
3. CMost scores lie in the tails
4. DThe mode is the lowest score

A 95% confidence interval for a mean of 50 is 46 to 54. What is the most accurate interpretation?

1. AThe result is not significant
2. BThe procedure used produces intervals that contain the true mean 95% of the time
3. C95% of the individual participants in the sample scored between 46 and 54 on the measure
4. DThere is a 95% chance the sample mean is 50

A study finds a correlation of r = 0.05 between height and IQ in only professional basketball players, though it is higher in the general population. What best explains the weak correlation?

1. ARegression to the mean
2. BRestriction of range
3. CA ceiling effect in IQ tests
4. DDemand characteristics

A researcher manipulates mood by showing a sad film, then asks participants to rate how sad they feel before the main task. Why is this rating included?

1. AAs a manipulation check to confirm the IV worked as intended
2. BTo counterbalance the order of conditions
3. CAs the main dependent variable of the study
4. DTo debrief participants about the aims