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

In an experiment, the variable that is measured to see whether it is affected by the manipulation is the:

  1. AIndependent variable
  2. BDependent variable
  3. CControl variable
  4. DExtraneous variable
2.Easy

In a matched pairs design:

  1. AParticipants are randomly allocated with no matching
  2. BParticipants are paired on relevant characteristics and one of each pair goes into each condition
  3. CThe same participants take part in all conditions
  4. DOnly twins can take part
3.Easy

Why should correlation not be taken as proof of causation?

  1. ACorrelations are never statistically significant
  2. BCorrelations can only be negative
  3. CA third variable or reverse causation could explain the relationship
  4. DCorrelation coefficients are always too weak to indicate any real relationship
4.Medium

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

  1. AWilcoxon signed-rank test
  2. BChi-square test
  3. CPearson correlation
  4. DIndependent samples t-test
5.Medium

Which test compares two independent groups when the data are ordinal or clearly not normal?

  1. AWilcoxon signed-rank test
  2. BIndependent samples t-test
  3. CChi-square test
  4. DMann–Whitney U test
6.Medium

Which kind of data is collected with an open question in an interview?

  1. AInterval data
  2. BRatio data
  3. CNominal quantitative data only
  4. DQualitative data
7.Hard

A psychology department recruits participants only from introductory psychology courses. Critics say samples are "WEIRD". What does this refer to?

  1. ASamples that are unusually strange in their behaviour
  2. BWestern, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic samples that may not generalise
  3. CSamples that withdraw early from studies
  4. DSamples recruited using weighted random methods
8.Hard

A participant takes a drug or a sugar pill but does not know which, while the researcher does. What design is this and what bias remains possible?

  1. AOpen trial; placebo effects are fully controlled
  2. BSingle-blind; experimenter bias is still possible
  3. CDouble-blind; no bias is possible
  4. DSingle-blind; demand characteristics are impossible

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Dependent variable
  2. 2. B · Participants are paired on relevant characteristics and one of each pair goes into each condition
  3. 3. C · A third variable or reverse causation could explain the relationship
  4. 4. D · Independent samples t-test
  5. 5. D · Mann–Whitney U test
  6. 6. D · Qualitative data
  7. 7. B · Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic samples that may not generalise
  8. 8. B · Single-blind; experimenter bias is still possible

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