Research methods in psychology worksheet with answers

Ranking runners as first, second and third produces which level of data?

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

A correlation of −0.85 indicates:

1. AA weak negative relationship
2. BA strong positive relationship
3. CNo relationship
4. DA strong negative relationship

A case study is:

1. AA survey of thousands of randomly selected people from the general population
2. BAn in-depth investigation of one person, group or event
3. CA laboratory experiment with two conditions
4. DA statistical review of many published studies

A Cronbach's alpha of 0.88 for a 15-item anxiety scale indicates:

1. AThe scale has a significant effect on anxiety
2. BThe scale predicts future anxiety well
3. CGood internal consistency of the items
4. DScores are stable over six months

Why are behaviour categories in an observation operationalised before data collection?

1. ASo participants know exactly what is being recorded
2. BSo the hypothesis can be changed after the data are seen
3. CSo the observation becomes an experiment
4. DSo observers record the same behaviours consistently, improving reliability

Split-half reliability involves:

1. ATesting two halves of the sample at different times
2. BUsing two observers for half the sessions each
3. CSplitting the sample into an experimental and a control group and comparing their scores
4. DComparing scores on two halves of the same test to check internal consistency

A researcher manipulates mood by showing a sad film, then asks participants to rate how sad they feel before the main task. Why is this rating included?

1. AAs a manipulation check to confirm the IV worked as intended
2. BTo debrief participants about the aims
3. CAs the main dependent variable of the study
4. DTo counterbalance the order of conditions

A study finds that the effect of stress on illness is weaker in people with strong social support. Social support is acting as a:

1. AConfound
2. BDependent variable
3. CMediator
4. DModerator