Deck 2: Research Methods

Question 1

Consider these two statements: (1) Morbidity always exceeds mortality. (2) Prevalence always exceeds incidence. Which of these statements is/are true?

A) Only Statement (1) is true.
B) Only Statement (2) is true.
C) Both statements are true.
D) Neither statement is true.

Answer 1

Both statements are true.

Question 2

In an experiment, the factor under consideration as a potential cause is generally the ______ variable.

A) dependent
B) randomized
C) independent
D) control

Answer 2

independent

Question 3

Dr. Carroll is conducting ______ when she tests a hypothesis by examining data from the National Nursing Home Survey available on the website of the National Center for Health Statistics.

A) archival research
B) a case study
C) a survey
D) naturalistic observation

Answer 3

archival research

Question 4

Dr. Jackson is performing statistical analyses to combine the results of a number of studies investigating the relationship between locus of control and health-promoting behaviors among young adults. Dr. Jackson is conducting a ______.

A) meta-analysis
B) significance test
C) replication
D) longitudinal study

Question 5

With respect to the scientific method, the statistics courses that undergraduate psychology degree programs usually require are MOST relevant to the step of ______.

A) analyzing data
B) developing a theory
C) proposing a hypothesis
D) revising a theory

Question 6

Iyesha reads a journal article reporting a study in which a small sample of women undertook tests of spatial ability at two points during their menstrual cycle. She decides to conduct a similar study using a larger sample of women. Iyesha is performing a ______.

A) meta-analysis
B) replication
C) significance test
D) correlation

Question 7

Which research strategy is correctly matched with the type of validity it is aimed at minimizing?

A) using a double-blind design--internal validity
B) replicating a study--internal validity
C) using a representative sample--internal validity
D) using a placebo--external validity

Question 8

Which field MOST explicitly recognizes that genes and the environment always interact?

A) epigenetics
B) genetics
C) behavioral genetics
D) behavioral health

Question 9

A researcher is MOST likely to find a ______ correlation between scores on a measure of social support and scores on a measure of subjective well-being. Assume that higher scores on the measure indicate greater social support and higher well-being.

A) minimal
B) negative
C) perfect
D) positive

Question 10

A ______ sample is one that is easily accessible to the researcher.

A) randomized
B) double-blind
C) representative
D) convenience

Question 11

The two types of validity are ______ and ______ validity.

A) observational; correlational
B) descriptive; experimental
C) observational; correlational.
D) internal; external

Question 12

Suppose that in one study, breast-cancer patients write either about their feelings concerning their diagnosis or simply about the facts of their disease. For each group, the researchers track the number of contacts the women make with the health-care system for 60 days. In this study, the number of contacts is a(n) ______ variable.

A) dependent
B) randomized
C) independent
D) control

Question 13

Inaccurate reporting, constrained response options, and leading questions are all potential drawbacks of ______.

A) naturalistic observation
B) experiments
C) case studies
D) surveys

Question 14

With respect to descriptive research methods, Sigmund Freud's theory was built on a foundation of ______ data.

A) archival research
B) case study
C) survey
D) cross-sectional

Question 15

With respect to epidemiological research, prospective study is to retrospective study as ______ is to ______.

A) past; future
B) future; past
C) correlational; experimental
D) experimental; correlational

Question 16

Theory is to hypothesis as ______ is to ______.

A) description; explanation
B) explanation; prediction
C) prediction; description
D) prediction; explanation

Question 17

Which method is considered the "gold standard" in clinical research?

A) randomized controlled trials
B) meta-analyses
C) natural experiments
D) naturalistic observation

Question 18

A developmental health psychologist is comparing middle-aged and older-adults' perceptions of health care options in her community. She is matching the adults on such variables as ethnicity, education, and SEs. The psychologist is conducting a(n) ______ using a ______ design.

A) experiment; cross-sectional
B) experiment; longitudinal
C) quasi-experiment; cross-sectional
D) quasi-experiment; longitudinal

Question 19

Experiments differ from descriptive research techniques in that experiments ______.

A) use groups of participants that are carefully matched with respect to key variables
B) track a group of participants for an extended period of time
C) involve the random assignment of participants to conditions
D) are conducted on only a single individual

Question 20

A researcher assesses stress by measuring levels of cortisol in the blood. This is a(n) ______ definition of stress.

A) operational
B) theoretical
C) experimental
D) descriptive

Question 21

______ psychologists and psychology majors support the use of animals in research.

A) Few
B) Some
C) Most
D) Almost all

Question 22

In quasi-experiments, the influence of third variables can be eliminated through careful participant matching procedures.

Question 23

In a double-blind procedure, the researcher knows which participants are receiving the treatment.

Question 24

Define "randomized controlled trial (RCT)."
Consider this description of an RCT: Espada and colleagues (2016) conducted a test of the efficacy of a smoking cessation program for adolescents in Spain. Prospective participants were recruited using a convenience sample, then randomly assigned to either a program condition or a control condition. The control condition consisted of adolescents placed on a waiting list for the program. Six months after the program, 8% of the program group had quit smoking, whereas no one in the control group had. This difference was statistically significant. After 1 year, 43% of the participants were available for follow-up data collection; this proportion was similar across both program and control conditions.
Making explicit reference to the concepts of internal and external validity, highlight several potential strengths and weakness of this study.

Question 25

In round figures, animals are used in about ______ of psychological research studies.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 35%
D) 50%

Question 26

When psychologists speak of empirical evidence, they are referring to evidence gathered using the scientific method.

Question 27

Distinguish between positive and negative correlations. Suggest one pair of health-related variables that is probably positively correlated, and one that is probably negatively correlated. For each pair, draw a hypothetical scatterplot, being sure to label the axes.

Question 28

Epigenetic changes can be passed from one generation to the next.

Question 29

Which sequence BEST reflects the order of events in a typical experimental session?

A) informed consent, then experiment, then debriefing
B) informed consent, then debriefing, then experiment
C) debriefing, then experiment, then informed consent
D) debriefing, then informed consent, then experiment

Question 30

Randomized controlled trials in clinical research are analogous to experiments in nonclinical research.

Question 31

In descriptive research, a researcher manipulates behavior in a laboratory setting.

Question 32

The Tuskegee experiments had a lasting effect on African Americans' perception of health care professionals.

Question 33

O'Malley is telling participants before he begins his experiment that their participation is completely voluntary and that they can stop taking part at any time. Dr. Quick is providing a detailed explanation to participants who have just completed a study. Which statement is true?

A) Dr. O'Malley is debriefing his participants. Dr. Quick is obtaining informed consent from her participants.
B) Dr. O'Malley is obtaining informed consent from his participants. Dr. Quick is debriefing her participants.
C) Both Dr. O'Malley and Dr. Quick are obtaining informed consent from their participants.
D) Both Dr. O'Malley and Dr. Quick are debriefing their participants.

Question 34

Deception is NOT used in psychological research.