Research methods in psychology worksheet with answers

Free printable Research methods in psychology worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy

A Type II error occurs when a researcher:

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

In an experiment, the variable the researcher deliberately changes is the:

  1. AConfounding variable
  2. BIndependent variable
  3. CExtraneous variable
  4. DDependent variable
3.Easy

Informed consent in research means participants:

  1. AMust complete the study once they start, as agreed in the signed form
  2. BNever learn the aims of the study
  3. CAgree to take part after being told what the study involves
  4. DAre paid for their time
4.Medium

A p-value of 0.03 means:

  1. AThe result will replicate 97% of the time
  2. BIf the null hypothesis were true, data this extreme would occur about 3% of the time
  3. CGiven the observed data, there is only a 3% probability that the null hypothesis is true
  4. DThe effect is large
5.Medium

In a repeated measures design, order effects can be controlled by:

  1. ACounterbalancing
  2. BUsing a larger sample only
  3. CSingle-blind procedures
  4. DRandom sampling
6.Medium

A test is so easy that almost all participants score near the maximum. This is called:

  1. AAn order effect
  2. BA floor effect
  3. CA practice effect
  4. DA ceiling effect
7.Hard

In multiple regression predicting exam scores from study hours and sleep, R² = 0.36. What does this mean?

  1. AStudy hours cause 36% of exam success
  2. B36% of students passed the exam
  3. CThe correlation between the predictors is 0.36
  4. DThe predictors together explain 36% of the variance in exam scores
8.Hard

A self-report scale finds that people who agree with many statements score high regardless of content. Which response bias is this, and how can it be reduced?

  1. AAcquiescence bias; include reverse-worded items
  2. BOrder effects; use counterbalancing of participants
  3. CSocial desirability bias; use a larger sample
  4. DDemand characteristics; use a double-blind design

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Fails to reject a null hypothesis that is actually false
  2. 2. B · Independent variable
  3. 3. C · Agree to take part after being told what the study involves
  4. 4. B · If the null hypothesis were true, data this extreme would occur about 3% of the time
  5. 5. A · Counterbalancing
  6. 6. D · A ceiling effect
  7. 7. D · The predictors together explain 36% of the variance in exam scores
  8. 8. A · Acquiescence bias; include reverse-worded items

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