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

A correlation of −0.85 indicates:

  1. ANo relationship
  2. BA strong negative relationship
  3. CA strong positive relationship
  4. DA weak negative relationship
2.Easy

In an experiment, the variable the researcher deliberately changes is the:

  1. ADependent variable
  2. BIndependent variable
  3. CExtraneous variable
  4. DConfounding variable
3.Easy

A covert observation is one in which:

  1. AParticipants do not know they are being observed
  2. BParticipants know about the study and agree to it
  3. CBehaviour is recorded in a laboratory
  4. DThe observer joins the group being observed
4.Medium

Internal validity refers to:

  1. AWhether participants found the study interesting
  2. BWhether the observed effect was really caused by the IV rather than other factors
  3. CWhether the findings generalise beyond the study to other populations, settings and times
  4. DWhether a test gives the same results over time
5.Medium

Standardised instructions are used in an experiment so that:

  1. AThe researcher can adapt the procedure to suit each participant's needs
  2. BThe results become statistically significant
  3. CParticipants can choose their own conditions
  4. DAll participants receive the same information in the same way
6.Medium

Experimenter bias is reduced most directly by:

  1. AUsing a researcher who does not know the hypothesis or conditions to collect data
  2. BUsing a larger sample
  3. CUsing only volunteers
  4. DUsing a one-tailed hypothesis
7.Hard

A researcher measures the effect of noise on concentration. Participants in the noise condition happened to be tested in the morning and the quiet condition in the afternoon. What is the problem?

  1. AThe study has too many conditions
  2. BTime of day is a confounding variable
  3. CTime of day is the dependent variable
  4. DThe data are at nominal level
8.Hard

A researcher compares three or more group means. Why is a one-way ANOVA used instead of several t-tests?

  1. At-tests cannot handle numbers above 100
  2. BMultiple t-tests inflate the overall Type I error rate
  3. CANOVA always finds larger effects than the equivalent set of t-tests would
  4. Dt-tests need qualitative data

Answer key

  1. 1. B · A strong negative relationship
  2. 2. B · Independent variable
  3. 3. A · Participants do not know they are being observed
  4. 4. B · Whether the observed effect was really caused by the IV rather than other factors
  5. 5. D · All participants receive the same information in the same way
  6. 6. A · Using a researcher who does not know the hypothesis or conditions to collect data
  7. 7. B · Time of day is a confounding variable
  8. 8. B · Multiple t-tests inflate the overall Type I error rate

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