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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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Data that are categories with no order, such as eye colour, are at which level of measurement?

  1. ARatio
  2. BInterval
  3. CNominal
  4. DOrdinal
2.Easy

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

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

Keeping participants' personal information private and not identifying them in reports is called:

  1. AInformed consent
  2. BDeception
  3. CDebriefing
  4. DConfidentiality
4.Medium

A researcher studies the effect of gender on memory scores. Why is this a quasi-experiment rather than a true experiment?

  1. AThe IV is a pre-existing characteristic, so participants cannot be randomly allocated to it
  2. BThe DV is not measured
  3. CThere are only two conditions, and a true experiment needs at least three levels of the IV
  4. DThe study takes place in a laboratory
5.Medium

A student scores 130 on a test with mean 100 and standard deviation 15. What is the z-score?

  1. A0.5
  2. B3.0
  3. C1.5
  4. D2.0
6.Medium

In a normal distribution, approximately what percentage of scores lie within one standard deviation of the mean?

  1. A50%
  2. B95%
  3. C99.7%
  4. D68%
7.Hard

Exercise reduces depression, and the effect occurs because exercise improves sleep, which in turn lowers depression. Sleep is best described as a:

  1. AExtraneous variable
  2. BMediator
  3. CModerator
  4. DControl variable
8.Hard

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

  1. AHot weather increases both ice cream sales and swimming
  2. BThe correlation must be a calculation error
  3. CDrowning increases ice cream sales
  4. DIce cream causes drowning

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Nominal
  2. 2. C · A pilot study
  3. 3. D · Confidentiality
  4. 4. A · The IV is a pre-existing characteristic, so participants cannot be randomly allocated to it
  5. 5. D · 2.0
  6. 6. D · 68%
  7. 7. B · Mediator
  8. 8. A · Hot weather increases both ice cream sales and swimming

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