Research methods in psychology worksheet with answers

A hypothesis that predicts a difference but does not say in which direction is called:

1. AAn operational definition
2. BNon-directional (two-tailed)
3. CA null hypothesis
4. DDirectional (one-tailed)

A variable other than the IV that changes systematically with the IV and could explain the result is called a:

1. AConfounding variable
2. BControl variable
3. CDemand characteristic
4. DDependent variable

Test-retest reliability is assessed by:

1. AChecking whether the items appear, on the surface, to measure what the test claims to
2. BHaving two observers code the same behaviour
3. CComparing a new test with an established one
4. DGiving the same test to the same people on two occasions and correlating the scores

In a correlation, r = 0.40. What proportion of variance in one variable is shared with the other?

1. A16%
2. B60%
3. C40%
4. D4%

In a positively skewed distribution, such as income:

1. AThe mean is greater than the median
2. BThere are no extreme scores
3. CThe mean is less than the median
4. DThe mean and median are always equal

Standardised instructions are used in an experiment so that:

1. AParticipants can choose their own conditions
2. BThe researcher can adapt the procedure to suit each participant's needs
3. CAll participants receive the same information in the same way
4. DThe results become statistically significant

In thematic analysis, the analyst mainly:

1. ACalculates the mean score of each theme to compare them statistically
2. BTests a numerical hypothesis
3. CIdentifies recurring patterns of meaning across qualitative data
4. DCounts word frequencies only

After analysing the data, a researcher writes the introduction as if an unexpected finding had been predicted all along. This is called:

1. ADebriefing
2. BOperationalisation
3. CHARKing (hypothesising after the results are known)
4. DCounterbalancing