Research methods in psychology worksheet with answers

A hypothesis that predicts the direction of an effect is called:

1. AAn operational hypothesis
2. BA null hypothesis
3. CNon-directional (two-tailed)
4. DDirectional (one-tailed)

The median of the scores 3, 7, 8, 12, 20 is:

1. A10
2. B12
3. C8
4. D7

In psychology, the conventional significance level used to decide whether a result is statistically significant is:

1. Ap > 0.95
2. Bp < 0.05
3. Cp < 0.50
4. Dp < 0.20

To obtain a sample with the same proportions of first-, second- and third-year students as the university population, a researcher should use:

1. AStratified sampling
2. BOpportunity sampling
3. CVolunteer sampling
4. DSnowball sampling

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

1. AUsing a larger sample only
2. BRandom sampling
3. CCounterbalancing
4. DSingle-blind procedures

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

1. A0.5
2. B2.0
3. C3.0
4. D1.5

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. ADemand characteristics; use a double-blind design
2. BAcquiescence bias; include reverse-worded items
3. CSocial desirability bias; use a larger sample
4. DOrder effects; use counterbalancing of participants

A memory study uses a repeated measures design where everyone learns list A then list B. Recall is better for list B. What is the most likely flaw?

1. AThe use of an ordinal level of measurement
2. BIndividual differences between the groups
3. COrder effects such as practice, because conditions were not counterbalanced
4. DToo large a sample size