Question 1

How frequently can scientists prove that their hypotheses are true?

Accepted Answer

Scientific hypotheses can never be proven true; they can only be supported or refuted by evidence. Scientists can gather evidence that supports a hypothesis, but they cannot prove it with absolute certainty.

Question 2

Arthur has developed a hypothesis and now is designing a study to test it. Which of the following can provide the best guidance regarding his choice of measures, types of data to be collected, and methods for interpreting the data?

Accepted Answer

The scientific literature in the area of interest provides established methods, validated measures, and insights into data interpretation, ensuring the study is grounded in existing research.

Question 3

You decide to study weekend dorm life for a sociology term paper. In order to do this, you attend several fraternity parties at a large university, week after week. What method of research are you employing?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation is a research method in which the researcher observes people in their natural setting without interfering with their behavior. In this case, the researcher is attending fraternity parties to observe the behavior of students in a natural setting.

Question 4

The process of having other scientists who are experts examine research prior to its publication is called ____.

Accepted Answer

The process is commonly referred to as peer review, where peers (other scientists in the same field) review and provide feedback on research prior to its publication. It is a critical step in ensuring the quality and validity of scientific research.

Question 5

What is one advantage of using naturalistic observation over the case study method?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is one advantage of using naturalistic...

Question 6

Professor Frankel is an editor for a psychology journal. She is considering which submissions to send out for peer review. Which of the following submissions is likely to receive the strongest consideration based on its research methods?

Accepted Answer

Well-established methods are generally more reliable and have been validated by previous research, making them more likely to be considered favorably for peer review.

Question 7

During the peer review process, whose work is most likely to be accepted rapidly into the body of scientific knowledge?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Koch's results that fit with existing knowledge in her field are more likely to be accepted rapidly into the body of scientific knowledge because they do not contradict established theories and can be easily incorporated into the existing knowledge. While unexpected and unique results (A) or novel research methods and unconventional findings (C) may ultimately be groundbreaking, they may also face greater skepticism and require further replication and validation before being accepted into the scientific community. Results that are unreplicated in previous reports (D) may also face skepticism and require further validation before being accepted.

Question 8

Science is best described as a(n)____ enterprise.

Accepted Answer

Science is best described as a collaborative enterprise because it involves sharing ideas and working together to develop and test hypotheses. Scientists often work in teams, share data and results, and engage in peer review to ensure accuracy and rigor in their work. While there may be elements of hierarchy within specific research groups or academic institutions, the overall nature of science is one of collaboration and cooperation towards advancing knowledge and understanding. It is not a socialist or solitary enterprise as it is not focused on a political ideology or individual effort.

Question 9

Scientific hypotheses are best described as ________.

Accepted Answer

Scientific hypotheses are educated guesses or proposed explanations for a phenomenon that can be tested through experimentation and observation. They are not yet considered theories or proven facts.

Question 10

Naturalistic observation is best suited for ____.

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation involves observing and recording behavior in a natural setting without any intervention or manipulation by the researcher. This method is best suited for developing hypotheses because it allows researchers to gather information about a topic of interest and generate ideas for future research. However, it is not effective for testing cause-and-effect relationships, establishing positive or negative relationships, or proving hypotheses.

Question 11

Professor Scott conducts research on teenage risk-taking behavior. He would like to develop a hypothesis on the parental influence on teenage risk-taking at the extreme end of the spectrum, with a focus on teenagers who sail around the world alone. Would a case study be an appropriate first step, and why or why not?

Accepted Answer

A case study is appropriate because it allows for an in-depth exploration of rare phenomena, such as teenage circumnavigators, which can help generate new hypotheses or challenge existing ones.

Question 12

Keith feels that the results of his research study in autism spectrum disorder among the elderly is finally ready for submission to a journal. For the journal editor to recommend his article for publication, what must the peer reviewers conclude?

Accepted Answer

For a journal editor to recommend an article for publication, the peer reviewers must conclude that the research is important, accurate, and explained thoroughly. This is because peer reviewers are experts in the field who critically evaluate the research to ensure that the methodology, results, and conclusions are valid and contribute to the field's knowledge. While novelty, lack of publications on the topic, and first-of-their-kind findings may be desirable, they are not sufficient criteria for publication without robust methodology and accurate and thorough explanations of the results.

Question 13

Jeanine, a research psychologist, has developed a hypothesis. Her next step is to ____.

Accepted Answer

The next step for Jeanine would be to collect the data necessary to evaluate her hypothesis. This is because a hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction, and data needs to be collected in order to test and evaluate its accuracy. Once data is collected, she can then interpret it, conduct statistical analysis, and undergo peer review.

Question 14

Dr. Crane is studying patients who are in the residual phase of schizophrenia. His colleague, Dr. Mellus, takes detailed notes during a series of interviews and interactions that Dr. Crane has with one such patient for later analysis. What research method are these doctors employing?

Accepted Answer

The doctors are employing a case study method, which involves an in-depth analysis of an individual or group, often through detailed observations and interactions.

Question 15

When a hypothesis is demonstrated to be false using appropriate research methods, what must be done?

Accepted Answer

When a hypothesis is demonstrated to be false using appropriate research methods, the hypothesis must be modified or discarded. This is because the hypothesis is not supported by the data and continuing to rely on it could lead to incorrect conclusions and decisions. Replication by other researchers is always a good idea to ensure the results are reliable, but modifying or discarding the hypothesis is necessary regardless. Conducting different statistical analyses may be helpful in understanding the data, but if the hypothesis is clearly shown to be false, it should still be modified or discarded. Repeating the research with the opposite hypothesis is not necessarily the best solution, as there may be other plausible explanations that need to be considered.

Question 16

Which of the following lends itself to the use of a descriptive method?

Accepted Answer

A descriptive method involves observing and describing a phenomenon or behavior, rather than testing a hypothesis or predicting a relationship between variables. Jonathan's desire to develop a hypothesis regarding the role of parental expression of affection in reducing toxic stress in early childhood is an example of a research question that lends itself to a descriptive method.

Question 17

Dr. Snape was skeptical after reading a study concluding that chocolate truffles reduced the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Therefore, he initiated a similar study to determine whether he would achieve the same results. Dr. Snapeʼs study would be termed a ____.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Snape's study is described as being initiated to determine whether he would achieve the same results, indicating that he is replicating the previous study. Therefore, the best choice is D, replication. Statistical sampling refers to a method of selecting a sample from a larger population for statistical analysis, validity test is a process of determining whether a study measures what it claims to measure, and regressive analysis is a statistical method of modeling the relationship between dependent and independent variables. None of these choices accurately describe Dr. Snape's study.

Question 18

Which of the following statements would be most difficult to falsify?

Accepted Answer

The statement "All men are mortal" is difficult to falsify because it is a universal truth based on the current understanding of human biology and mortality.

Question 19

Research methods designed for making careful, systematic observations are called ____.

Accepted Answer

Descriptive methods are designed for making careful, systematic observations to describe phenomena as they exist.

Question 20

Seth, a psychologist, would like to conduct research in the form of naturalistic observation of drug sales and use among teenagers in his city's poorest neighborhood without their knowledge. What problem does this raise?

Accepted Answer

Conducting research without the knowledge or consent of the participants, especially on sensitive topics like drug use, raises significant ethical concerns regarding privacy and informed consent.

Quiz 2: The Measure of Mind: Methods of Psychology