Deck 1: Psychology, Science and Research

Question 1

1) Which of the following sets of steps, describing the process of the classical scientific method, are in the correct order?

A)
I) Detect and summarise general patterns among data
Ii) Test hypothesis by checking predictions with experiment or further observations
Iii) Propose explanation for patterns - create hypothesis
Iv) Make observations of phenomena (use measures, categories etc.)
V) If results are in line with predictions claim support for hypothesis; if not, hypothesis is not supported or may even be challenged with results in opposite direction from predictions
Vi) Find further support, explain challenge or alter theory
B)
I) Test hypothesis by checking predictions with experiment or further observations
Ii) If results are in line with predictions claim support for hypothesis; if not, hypothesis is not supported or may even be challenged with results in opposite direction from predictions
Iii) Detect and summarise general patterns among data
Iv) Make observations of phenomena (use measures, categories etc.)
V) Find further support, explain challenge or alter theory
Vi) Propose explanation for patterns - create hypothesis
C)
I) Make observations of phenomena (use measures, categories etc.)
Ii) Detect and summarise general patterns among data
Iii) Propose explanation for patterns - create hypothesis
Iv) Test hypothesis by checking predictions with experiment or further observations
V) If results are in line with predictions claim support for hypothesis; if not, hypothesis is not supported or may even be challenged with results in opposite direction from predictions
Vi) Find further support, explain challenge or alter theory
D)
I) Make observations of phenomena (use measures, categories etc.)
Ii) If results are in line with predictions claim support for hypothesis; if not, hypothesis is not supported or may even be challenged with results in opposite direction from predictions
Iii) Find further support, explain challenge or alter theory
Iv) Propose explanation for patterns - create hypothesis
V) Detect and summarise general patterns among data
Vi) Test hypothesis by checking predictions with experiment or further observations

Answer 1

C

Question 2

2) A hypothesis is:

A) A prediction about what will be found when testing a theory
B) A statement of fact
C) A claim about the world usually coming from a broader theory
D) A wild guess about the world

Answer 2

C

Question 3

3) Quantitative data are:

A) Lots of numbers
B) Numbers which represent measures of variables
C) Non-numerical data in the forms of words or pictures
D) Something nasty to do with numbers

Answer 3

B

Question 4

4) Qualitative data are:

A) Measures of quality
B) Numbers which represent measures
C) Something nice where I can avoid doing sums
D) Non-numerical data in the forms of words or pictures

Question 5

5) Data obtained in a scientific investigation can:

A) Prove a theory true
B) Be used in an argument to support a theory
C) Prove a theory true if they are very strongly in favour of the theory
D) Be used as part of an argument to prove a theory true

Question 6

6) People forming samples in a psychological study:

A) Are usually studied in order to generalise findings to a wider population
B) Are usually the only people that the psychologist wants to find out about
C) Can only ever consist of people in a psychological study
D) Usually do not need to be representative of the wider population

Question 7

7) The empirical method involves:

A) Testing hypotheses by experiment
B) Creating theories using intuition
C) Accepting traditional theories about how the world works
D) Making observations and creating generalisations

Question 8

8) The hypothetico-deductive method involves:

A) Testing empirical theories using experiments
B) Creating theories using intuition
C) Creating theories from empirical observations and testing predictions made from these theories
D) Using investigation to confirm traditional theories about how the world works

Question 9

9) To guard against accepting fluke results as true research psychologists use:

A) Logical argument to support previous findings
B) Common sense to support previous findings
C) Replication to support previous findings
D) Intuition to support previous findings

Question 10

10) Induction is the process of:

A) Moving from observation of particular instances to assumption of a generalised pattern or 'law'
B) Moving from assumed premises to a logical conclusion
C) Assuming something is true by relying on traditional knowledge
D) Assuming something is true only through controlled experimentation