Question 1

Which of the most important defining characteristics of a 'big question' in psychology has been missed from the following list: answers to the question would have significant consequences; there is a long tradition of research on the question; the public are interested in it; it has become potentially answerable for the first time due to new methods becoming available; and new data relevant to it are available.
A) It will attract media interest.
B) It is easy to explain to non-psychologists.
C) It provides the underlying basis for a major theoretical breakthrough if answered.
D) It has never been answered.

Accepted Answer

The most important defining characteristic of a 'big question' in psychology that has been missed is that it provides the underlying basis for a major theoretical breakthrough if answered. The other characteristics listed are important, but not as essential as having the potential to advance the field through the resolution of a major theoretical problem.

Question 2

What started the 'replication debate'?
A) Researchers failing to provide good enough information about their studies so as to allow other people to repeat them.
B) Researchers who have repeated a published study have failed to find the same results as the original.
C) Researchers who have conducted the same study on a number of occasions have reported finding different results.
D) Researchers who have misreported their findings.

Accepted Answer

The 'replication debate' started when researchers attempting to repeat a published study were unable to find the same results as the original study. This has led to a discussion about the reliability and validity of scientific research and the need for replication studies to confirm or refute previous findings.

Question 3

Which of the following does data science NOT include?
A) Big data
B) Data mining
C) Data capture
D) Data torture

Accepted Answer

Data torture is not a real term or practice in the field of data science, and is not a legitimate component of the overall process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.

Question 4

In 2017, how many zettabytes of data did the International Data Corporation say would be available by 2025?
A) A trillion gigabytes
B) 163 zettabytes
C) 352 zettabytes
D) 961 zettabytes

Accepted Answer

The International Data Corporation predicted that by 2025, there would be 163 zettabytes of available data.

Question 5

How are data analytics changing research methods in psychology?
A) Human researchers are no longer needed.
B) They eradicate biases in data interpretation.
C) They provide the means to analyse more complex and larger data sets.
D) They limit the use of qualitative methods.

Accepted Answer

Data analytics are improving research methods in psychology by providing the means to analyse more complex and larger data sets. This allows researchers to uncover patterns and relationships that may not have been detected with traditional research methods. The use of data analytics does not eliminate the need for human researchers or qualitative methods, but they may be used in combination with these approaches. Data analytics can help reduce bias in data interpretation by providing objective and quantifiable analysis.

Question 6

To which classic debate in psychology is epigenetics directly relevant?
A) Idealism vs realism
B) Behaviourism vs functionalism
C) Nature vs nurture
D) Qualitative vs quantitative

Accepted Answer

Epigenetics directly addresses the debate of nature vs nurture, as it explores how environmental factors can alter gene expression and how these changes can be passed on to future generations.

Question 7

A researcher tackling a 'big question' is likely to come under a number of pressures - most notably these include the possibility that their errors could have damaging broad-ranging societal implications or that an error could harm people directly dependent upon the research. What is the other most significant pressure that might emerge?
A) The possibility that any error could misdirect future theoretical development within psychology
B) The question is answered by another researcher
C) The question is so big that it fragments into many sub-questions
D) The question is superseded by other questions

Accepted Answer

Errors in research can misdirect future theoretical development within psychology, leading to wasted resources and potentially incorrect conclusions being drawn in future studies.

Question 8

How is Artificial Intelligence defined?
A) AI is a robotic system.
B) AI is a digital system that can learn and problem-solve.
C) AI reproduces the human thought process.
D) AI has no emotional capacity.

Accepted Answer

AI is defined as a digital system that can learn and problem-solve using algorithms and data processing to simulate human cognitive functions such as perception, reasoning, natural language processing, and decision making. While AI systems can sometimes be incorporated into robotics, AI is not limited to physical robots. AI also does not necessarily reproduce the entire human thought process, nor does it have emotions.

Question 9

What does research 'knowledge translation and transfer' mainly involve?
A) Making findings available and comprehensible to the public and policy makers
B) Publishing research findings in a number of languages
C) Focusing research on practical problems
D) Conducting multidisciplinary studies

Accepted Answer

Knowledge translation and transfer involves making research findings understandable and accessible to the public and policy makers, so they can be used to inform decision-making and improve outcomes. It is not primarily focused on publishing in multiple languages, practical problem-solving, or multidisciplinary studies (although these may be aspects of the research process).

Question 10

Psychologists now often work in multidisciplinary teams. This is changing psychology in some ways but not others. In the following list, what is not changing?
A) The types of data available
B) The techniques for representing data
C) The ethical standards applicable to the use of data
D) The volume of data available

Accepted Answer

The ethical standards applicable to the use of data remain consistent despite the changes in multidisciplinary approaches, as these standards are fundamental to the practice of psychology and are upheld regardless of the context in which psychologists work.

Question 11

What is the false consensus feedback paradigm? A research design in which:
A) subjects are given false feedback on what other people say/think about a topic.
B) subjects are given feedback that other people disagree with the subjects' attitudes about a topic.
C) subjects are given fabricated information that the majority of other people agree with each other on an issue.
D) subjects are given information that the majority of people agree with the subjects' attitudes about a topic.

Accepted Answer

The false consensus feedback paradigm involves providing subjects with fabricated information that suggests the majority of other people agree with each other on an issue, creating a false sense of consensus.

Question 12

When reporting results from a study, what thing from this list should a research never do?
A) Rationalise the limitations they know to exist in their study design
B) Present the details of the data they excluded from the analysis
C) Present reasons for modifying the original theoretical model they used
D) Report the ethical issues addressed in the study

Accepted Answer

Rationalizing the limitations of a study design in the report is not recommended. Instead, researchers should objectively acknowledge and discuss these limitations, rather than trying to justify or downplay them.

Question 13

Which of the following issues is a problem specifically associated with the new methods now being used by psychologists?
A) The complexity and volume of the data they collect make the description of patterns in the data difficult.
B) They use expensive technologies.
C) They are not based in any one epistemological tradition.
D) They require statistical expertise.

Accepted Answer

The passage mentions that the new methods used by psychologists involve collecting large volumes of complex data, which can make it difficult to describe patterns within the data. Therefore, A is the correct answer. B, C, and D are not explicitly cited as problems associated with the new methods.

Question 14

What is a 'data cake'?
A) A technique of data visualisation
B) A compilation of layers of varied forms of data
C) A way of slicing data sets
D) A data set based on mixed methods

Accepted Answer

A data cake is a compilation of layers of varied forms of data, similar to a layered cake. Each layer contains a different set of data, and together, they form a comprehensive analysis of a particular topic. This technique allows for the visualization of complex data sets in a more understandable way.

Question 15

What does symphonic social science use?
A) Inductive approaches to data
B) Deductive approaches to data
C) Reductive approaches to data
D) Abductive approaches to data

Accepted Answer

Symphonic social science uses abductive approaches to data, which involve combining deductive and inductive reasoning. It aims to bring together multiple forms of knowledge and disciplines to better understand social phenomena, rather than relying on a single methodological approach.

Question 16

Which of these is NOT a brain imaging technique?
A) fMRI
B) PET
C) iMCD
D) SPECT

Accepted Answer

The acronym "iMCD" does not refer to any known brain imaging technique. fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), PET (positron emission tomography), and SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) are all common brain imaging techniques.

Question 17

In which way that big data is collected lead to unexpected biases?
A) When qualitative data are involved
B) When the database is has systematic omissions
C) When qualitative and quantitative data are included simultaneously
D) When data used are from different levels of analysis

Accepted Answer

When a database has systematic omissions, it may not capture certain groups or variables, resulting in biases. For example, if a medical database only includes data from patients who can afford expensive treatments, then it would not be representative of the general population and would have biases towards wealthier patients.

Question 18

Which discipline listed is NOT regarded usually to be the basis for data science?
A) Mathematics
B) Statistics
C) Linguistics
D) Computer science

Accepted Answer

Mathematics, statistics, and computer science are commonly regarded as the basis for data science due to their focus on modeling, analysis, and computation. While linguistics may overlap with some aspects of data science (such as natural language processing), it is not typically seen as a foundational discipline for the field.

Question 19

Is the availability of new methods making it more likely that psychology will develop a 'grand theory' echoing those in the physical sciences - like Einstein's theory of relativity?
A) It is possible
B) It will
C) It will not
D) It is irrelevant

Accepted Answer

The development of a 'grand theory' in psychology, akin to those in the physical sciences, remains a possibility due to the continuous advancement and availability of new research methods. These methods can enhance our understanding of complex psychological phenomena, potentially leading to more unified theories. However, the inherent complexity and variability of human behavior make it challenging to predict the emergence of a single, overarching theory with certainty.

Question 20

How will AI most change research methods in psychology?
A) It will change how information is elicited and stored.
B) It will change how information is manipulated, interpreted, and represented.
C) It will change the epistemological issues that concern psychologists.
D) It will change both data capture and analysis techniques.

Accepted Answer

AI is expected to revolutionize data capture and analysis techniques in psychology by offering automated tracking, recording, and analysis tools that can process vast amounts of data more accurately and efficiently than human researchers. It may also help identify patterns and relationships in data that would be otherwise difficult or impossible to detect using traditional research methods. While AI may also impact how information is elicited and stored, manipulated, interpreted, and represented, these changes are likely to be more gradual and less dramatic compared to the impact on data analysis.

Quiz 3: Big Questions and New Methods

What started the 'replication debate'?

Which of the following does data science NOT include?

In 2017, how many zettabytes of data did the International Data Corporation say would be available by 2025?

How are data analytics changing research methods in psychology?

To which classic debate in psychology is epigenetics directly relevant?

How is Artificial Intelligence defined?

What does research 'knowledge translation and transfer' mainly involve?

Psychologists now often work in multidisciplinary teams. This is changing psychology in some ways but not others. In the following list, what is not changing?

What is the false consensus feedback paradigm? A research design in which:

When reporting results from a study, what thing from this list should a research never do?

Which of the following issues is a problem specifically associated with the new methods now being used by psychologists?

What is a 'data cake'?

What does symphonic social science use?

Which of these is NOT a brain imaging technique?

In which way that big data is collected lead to unexpected biases?

Which discipline listed is NOT regarded usually to be the basis for data science?

Is the availability of new methods making it more likely that psychology will develop a 'grand theory' echoing those in the physical sciences - like Einstein's theory of relativity?

How will AI most change research methods in psychology?