Question 1

A researcher is measuring the heart rate of subjects as an index of anxiety. In this study, heart rate is ​

Accepted Answer

Heart rate is being used as a measurable representation (operational definition) of the concept of anxiety in this study.

Question 2

Dr. Critell is studying aggression in children and plans to define aggression as the number of times one child pushes or strikes another child. Defining aggression in this way would

Accepted Answer

Dr. Critell's approach of defining aggression as the number of times one child pushes or strikes another child is an example of an operational definition. This means she is specifying the exact operations or methods she will use to measure or observe aggression in her study, which is crucial for clarity and replicability in research.

Question 3

The final step in a scientific investigation is to ​

Accepted Answer

The final step in a scientific investigation is to report the findings. This step comes after conducting the study, analyzing the data, and deciding whether the hypothesis was supported. Reporting the findings allows the scientific community to review, critique, and build upon the work.

Question 4

Publication of research findings is extremely important to the scientific method because ​

Accepted Answer

Publication allows other scientists to review, critique, and replicate the findings, which is essential for validation and self-correction in the scientific community.

Question 5

Dr. Malm predicts that if teachers ignore students who act up in class, fewer students will act up in class. Dr. Malm's prediction is an example of ​

Accepted Answer

Dr. Malm's prediction is an example of a hypothesis, which is a testable prediction derived from a scientific theory. It suggests a possible outcome that can be tested through research and experimentation.

Question 6

A psychologist monitors changes in the subject's heart rate as the subject watches a violent movie. The data collection technique being used is ​

Accepted Answer

The psychologist is using physiological recording, which involves measuring and recording physical or biological responses, such as heart rate, to assess psychological states or reactions.

Question 7

Researchers typically report their findings ​

Accepted Answer

Researchers typically report their findings in a journal, which is a peer-reviewed publication that ensures the research meets certain standards of quality and validity.

Question 8

Which of the following data collection techniques is BEST suited for studying attitudes?

Accepted Answer

Questionnaires are best suited for studying attitudes because they can directly ask participants about their beliefs, opinions, and feelings, allowing researchers to gather subjective data on attitudes efficiently.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT true regarding common sense analyses of behavior?

Accepted Answer

Common sense analyses of behavior are often criticized for not being based on precise definitions and hypotheses. Instead, they tend to be vague, tolerate contradictions, and involve little effort in verification or error detection, contrasting with scientific approaches that emphasize precision and testability.

Question 10

Laura answered a series of written questions that asked about her attitudes and opinions on a number of current issues. The method of data collection used in this case was

Accepted Answer

Laura's responses to written questions about her attitudes and opinions on current issues indicate the use of a questionnaire as the method of data collection. Questionnaires are designed to gather information by asking people to respond to questions, making it the appropriate choice for this scenario.

Question 11

A scientific journal is a

Accepted Answer

Scientific journals are periodicals that publish technical and scholarly articles, often peer-reviewed, to disseminate research findings and discussions within the scientific community.

Question 12

In scientific investigations, researchers must clearly define the variables under study by precisely describing how they will be measured or controlled. These definitions are referred to as _____ definitions.

Accepted Answer

Operational definitions specify the exact procedures used to measure or control a variable in a study, ensuring that other researchers can replicate the study or understand the variables involved.

Question 13

A standardized measure used to obtain a sample of a person's behavior is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A psychological test is a standardized measure designed to obtain a sample of a person's behavior or psychological traits. These tests are used to assess various aspects of an individual's mental functions and behaviors.

Question 14

The scientific approach requires that people specify exactly what they are talking about when they formulate hypotheses. Which of the following advantages of scientific investigation does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The scientific approach requires that people specify...

Question 15

Jackson is helping a company develop more effective training programs for its employees. He has spent a great deal of time reviewing all the company's documentation about previous training opportunities it has provided for its employees. Up to this point in time, Jackson has been engaged in

Accepted Answer

Jackson has been reviewing the company's documentation about previous training opportunities, which is a form of archival research. Archival research involves analyzing existing records or archives to gather data, which is exactly what Jackson has been doing.

Question 16

Statistical procedures are used during which of the following steps in conducting a scientific investigation?

Accepted Answer

Statistical procedures are primarily used in the analysis of data and drawing conclusions from that data, which is a crucial step in conducting a scientific investigation.

Question 17

A psychologist measures blood alcohol level to determine intoxication. In this example, blood alcohol level is the _____ definition of intoxication.

Accepted Answer

Operational definition specifies the measurement that will be used to indicate a concept in a particular study, making blood alcohol level the operational definition of intoxication in this context.

Question 18

Hypotheses are typically expressed as ​

Accepted Answer

Hypotheses are typically expressed as predictions. They are statements made by researchers that are testable predictions about the relationship between two or more variables.

Question 19

Dr. Licciardi predicts that people who are observed while they perform a complex task will make more errors. Dr. Licciardi's prediction is an example of

Accepted Answer

Dr. Licciardi's prediction is an example of a hypothesis because it is a specific, testable prediction about how one factor, in this case, being observed, will influence another factor, namely, the number of errors made during a complex task.

Question 20

Dr. Dobbins wants to study attachment patterns in single-parent families. The first step in her scientific investigation would be to

Accepted Answer

The first step in a scientific investigation after identifying a research topic (in this case, attachment patterns in single-parent families) is to formulate a testable hypothesis. This hypothesis will guide the design of the study, the selection of research methods, and the subsequent steps of data collection and analysis.

Quiz 2: The Research Enterprise in Psychology