Question 1

One of the four main goals of science is description.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to describe:
A) what laws are needed to reduce dangerous behaviors.
B) what measures to use to assess a phenomenon.
C) which types of research studies would best address the phenomenon.
D) what a phenomenon is.

Accepted Answer

The main goal of scientists addressing the goal of description is to provide a clear and accurate definition or explanation of what a phenomenon is. They aim to define the parameters, components, and characteristics of the phenomenon being studied. This is important for developing a common understanding among researchers and providing a foundation for further research and analysis. A, B, and C are more related to the goals of prediction, explanation, and control, respectively.

Question 2

How are a theory and a hypothesis different?
A) A hypothesis is more specific than a theory.
B) A hypothesis and a theory are the same thing.
C) A theory can only be used for one study while a hypothesis can be used for several.
D) A theory is unchanging while a hypothesis can be altered.

Accepted Answer

A theory is a broad explanation of a phenomenon that is supported by multiple studies and observations. A hypothesis, on the other hand, is a specific prediction or explanation that is made before conducting a study and is based on existing knowledge or observations. A hypothesis is more narrow and specific than a theory.

Question 3

Another word for a theory is a/an:
A) explanation or model.
B) experiment or study.
C) prediction or guess.
D) data point or finding.

Accepted Answer

A theory is an explanation or model that attempts to explain a set of phenomena or observations.

Question 4

Dr.Sherman is studying marital relationships and wants to be able to determine which types of couples are at the highest risk for divorce.Which of the four primary goals of science is he addressing?
A) description
B) control
C) prediction
D) explanation

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sherman is seeking to predict which couples are at the highest risk for divorce, which falls under the primary goal of science known as prediction.

Question 5

Psychologist Jean Piaget observed children to see how they solved problems.Over the course of many studies,he was able to spot general patterns of behavior.This led him to connect different concepts and behaviors within a single:
A) theory.
B) hypothesis.
C) experiment.
D) sample.

Accepted Answer

Piaget's observations and findings were connected and synthesized into a comprehensive theory of cognitive development.

Question 6

One of the four main goals of science is prediction.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to predict:
A) what might control a behavior.
B) how many scientific studies are needed to study a phenomenon.
C) when a phenomenon will occur.
D) which type of researchers will investigate a phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The goal of prediction is to forecast when a phenomenon or event will occur. Choices A, B, and D may be important considerations in scientific research, but they do not directly relate to the goal of prediction.

Question 7

Dr.Meyers is investigating the relationship between stress and obesity.In his latest study,he found that stress often leads to obesity because it causes overeating and has slowing effects on metabolism.Which of the four primary goals of science is he addressing with his most recent work?
A) description
B) control
C) prediction
D) explanation

Accepted Answer

Dr. Meyers is addressing the primary goal of explanation, as he is trying to explain the relationship between stress and obesity and the mechanisms behind it.

Question 8

Clara is working on a study to examine shy children's behavior with peers they have not met before.She is developing theories,forming hypotheses,and conducting research to determine if her theory is supported by the data.In what process is she engaged?
A) random selection
B) correlational studies
C) directionality
D) the scientific method

Accepted Answer

Clara is engaged in the scientific method, which involves developing theories, forming hypotheses, and conducting research to gather data and determine if the theory is supported. The other choices (random selection, correlational studies, and directionality) do not accurately describe the process Clara is engaged in.

Question 9

Which of the following formal elements of the scientific method consists of a set of interconnected ideas or concepts?
A) a theory
B) a hypothesis
C) an experiment
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

A theory consists of a set of interconnected ideas or concepts that have been supported by extensive experimentation and observation. Hypotheses are specific predictions or explanations for a particular observation, whereas experiments involve manipulating variables in order to test hypotheses.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true of theories in science?
A) Good theories lead to a number of testable hypotheses.
B) A good hypothesis will support a number of different theories.
C) Good theories are likely to be supported by research findings.
D) Both A and C are true.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements is true...

Question 11

According to your textbook,which of the following lists the steps of the scientific method in the correct order?
A) conduct literature review,design study,conduct study,analyze data,form hypothesis,report results
B) form hypothesis,conduct literature review,design study,conduct study,analyze data,report results
C) design study,conduct study,conduct literature review,form hypothesis,report results,analyze data
D) conduct study,analyze data,form hypothesis,report results,design study,conduct literature review

Accepted Answer

The correct order of the steps of the scientific method is to first form a hypothesis, then conduct a literature review to see what information already exists on the topic, design a study to test the hypothesis, conduct the study, analyze the data collected, and finally report the results. Choice B correctly follows this order.

Question 12

One of the four main goals of science is explanation.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to explain:
A) why a behavior occurs.
B) the steps of the scientific method.
C) how data collection works.
D) why a researcher wants to study a behavior.

Accepted Answer

The goal of explanation in science is to provide an understanding of why a certain behavior, phenomenon, or event occurs. This involves identifying the causes and mechanisms that underlie the behavior or phenomenon.

Question 13

A researcher studying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is gathering information on how many children receive an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis each year.Which of the four primary goals of science is she addressing?
A) description
B) control
C) prediction
D) explanation

Accepted Answer

The researcher is addressing the goal of description by gathering information on how many children receive an ADHD diagnosis each year.

Question 14

How are the scientific goals of description and explanation different?
A) Description aims to identify the state of a research field; explanation aims to discuss the future of a research field.
B) Description aims to characterize what a phenomenon is; explanation aims to illustrate why a phenomenon occurs.
C) Explanation aims to identify the state of a research field; description aims to discuss the future of a research field.
D) Explanation aims to characterize what a phenomenon is; description aims to illustrate why a phenomenon occurs.

Accepted Answer

The scientific goal of description is to characterize what a phenomenon is, while the scientific goal of explanation is to illustrate why a phenomenon occurs. Therefore, option B correctly identifies the difference between the two. Option A and C are incorrect because they interchange the scientific goals of description and explanation. Option D is incorrect because it describes the goals in reverse order.

Question 15

How do theories reflect the law of parsimony?
A) Good theories should be based on the smallest amount of data possible.
B) Theories should be supported by several researchers.
C) Theories usually do not need to be tested if they are concise.
D) Good theories tend to be the simplest explanations that fit the data.

Accepted Answer

The law of parsimony, also known as Occam's razor, states that the simplest explanation is usually the best one. This means that good theories tend to be the simplest explanations that fit the data, making choice D the best answer. Choices A, B, and C are not accurate reflections of the law of parsimony.

Question 16

One of the four main goals of science is control.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to control:
A) the causes of a phenomenon.
B) access to publications about a phenomenon.
C) the institutions that research a phenomenon.
D) the literature on a certain phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The goal of control in science is to understand the causes of a phenomenon and to be able to manipulate or control those causes. This can allow scientists to prevent or mitigate negative effects, and to enhance or promote positive effects. Controlling access to publications or institutions is not a goal of science, and controlling the literature on a phenomenon goes against the principles of open and unbiased research.

Question 17

Based on your text's discussion of scientific inquiry,the goals of psychological science include each of the following EXCEPT ________ behavior and mental processes.
A) explaining
B) controlling the causes of
C) synthesizing
D) predicting

Accepted Answer

The text discusses that the goals of psychological science are to explain, control the causes of, predict, and understand behavior and mental processes. There is no mention of synthesizing as a goal of psychological science.

Question 18

Another word for a hypothesis is a/an:
A) theory.
B) prediction.
C) outcome.
D) naturalistic observation.

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction about the possible relationship between two variables. It is not yet a theory, which requires more supporting evidence, nor is it an outcome, which refers to the result of an experiment or study. Naturalistic observation is a research method, not a synonym for hypothesis.

Question 19

A group of policymakers are working to address issues of public safety in a residential neighborhood by increasing police presence.Which of the four primary goals of science are they addressing?
A) description
B) control
C) prediction
D) explanation

Accepted Answer

The policymakers are working to increase police presence in order to control public safety issues in the residential neighborhood. Therefore, the primary goal of science being addressed is control.

Question 20

According to the text,how do hypotheses relate to theories?
A) Hypotheses are specific predictions used to test a theory's prediction.
B) Hypotheses are formulated after a research study and later made into theories.
C) Theories are specific predictions used to test a theory's prediction.
D) Hypotheses always become theories after a study is complete.

Accepted Answer

Hypotheses are specific predictions that can be tested to support or reject a theory's prediction. In other words, hypotheses are more specific and testable versions of the predictions made by a theory, and they are developed in order to gather empirical evidence to support or refute a theory. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Quiz 2: Research Methodology

One of the four main goals of science is description.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to describe:

How are a theory and a hypothesis different?

Another word for a theory is a/an:

Dr.Sherman is studying marital relationships and wants to be able to determine which types of couples are at the highest risk for divorce.Which of the four primary goals of science is he addressing?

Psychologist Jean Piaget observed children to see how they solved problems.Over the course of many studies,he was able to spot general patterns of behavior.This led him to connect different concepts and behaviors within a single:

One of the four main goals of science is prediction.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to predict:

Dr.Meyers is investigating the relationship between stress and obesity.In his latest study,he found that stress often leads to obesity because it causes overeating and has slowing effects on metabolism.Which of the four primary goals of science is he addressing with his most recent work?

Clara is working on a study to examine shy children's behavior with peers they have not met before.She is developing theories,forming hypotheses,and conducting research to determine if her theory is supported by the data.In what process is she engaged?

Which of the following formal elements of the scientific method consists of a set of interconnected ideas or concepts?

Which of the following statements is true of theories in science?

According to your textbook,which of the following lists the steps of the scientific method in the correct order?

One of the four main goals of science is explanation.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to explain:

A researcher studying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is gathering information on how many children receive an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis each year.Which of the four primary goals of science is she addressing?

How are the scientific goals of description and explanation different?

How do theories reflect the law of parsimony?

One of the four main goals of science is control.The main goal of scientists addressing this goal is to control:

Based on your text's discussion of scientific inquiry,the goals of psychological science include each of the following EXCEPT ________ behavior and mental processes.

Another word for a hypothesis is a/an:

A group of policymakers are working to address issues of public safety in a residential neighborhood by increasing police presence.Which of the four primary goals of science are they addressing?

According to the text,how do hypotheses relate to theories?