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. AMeasures the wrong dependent variable
  2. BFails to reject a null hypothesis that is actually false
  3. CUses the wrong statistical test
  4. DRejects a null hypothesis that is actually true, finding an effect that is not there
2.Easy

In a naturalistic observation, the researcher:

  1. AObserves behaviour in its usual setting without manipulating variables
  2. BControls the environment in a laboratory
  3. CAsks participants to complete a questionnaire about their everyday behaviour
  4. DRandomly assigns participants to conditions
3.Easy

Which level of measurement has equal intervals and a true zero point, such as reaction time?

  1. AOrdinal
  2. BNominal
  3. CInterval
  4. DRatio
4.Medium

A Type I error occurs when a researcher:

  1. ARejects a null hypothesis that is actually true
  2. BFails to reject a null hypothesis that is false
  3. CCollects too much data
  4. DUses the wrong statistical test
5.Medium

Which test is suitable for comparing the means of two independent groups with interval data that are roughly normal?

  1. AIndependent samples t-test
  2. BChi-square test
  3. CWilcoxon signed-rank test
  4. DPearson correlation
6.Medium

Split-half reliability involves:

  1. AComparing scores on two halves of the same test to check internal consistency
  2. BSplitting the sample into an experimental and a control group and comparing their scores
  3. CUsing two observers for half the sessions each
  4. DTesting two halves of the sample at different times
7.Hard

A researcher records data at nine time points and tests at the 5% level each time without correction. What is the problem?

  1. AThe data become more reliable each time, so the final test is the most accurate
  2. BThe chance of at least one false positive rises well above 5%
  3. CThe effect size falls with each test
  4. DThere is no problem with this approach
8.Hard

A researcher finds that ice cream sales and drowning deaths are positively correlated. Which explanation is most plausible?

  1. AIce cream causes drowning
  2. BDrowning increases ice cream sales
  3. CThe correlation must be a calculation error
  4. DHot weather increases both ice cream sales and swimming

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Fails to reject a null hypothesis that is actually false
  2. 2. A · Observes behaviour in its usual setting without manipulating variables
  3. 3. D · Ratio
  4. 4. A · Rejects a null hypothesis that is actually true
  5. 5. A · Independent samples t-test
  6. 6. A · Comparing scores on two halves of the same test to check internal consistency
  7. 7. B · The chance of at least one false positive rises well above 5%
  8. 8. D · Hot weather increases both ice cream sales and swimming

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