Question 1

A representative sample should have equal numbers of males and females as well as an even balance among all racial groups.

Accepted Answer

While it is important to have diversity within a representative sample, it is not always necessary or appropriate to have equal numbers of males and females or an even balance among all racial groups. The specific characteristics of the sample should depend on the research question and population being studied.

Question 2

A double-blind control is an experimental technique in which biased expectations are eliminated by telling only the experimental assistants which participants have received which treatment.

Accepted Answer

In a double-blind control, neither the participants nor the experimental assistants know who has received which treatment, eliminating bias from both parties.

Question 3

The research of Jane Goodall,who has spent more than three decades studying patterns of behaviour among chimpanzees,is a good example of naturalistic observation.

Accepted Answer

Jane Goodall is a renowned researcher who conducted naturalistic observations of chimpanzees for over 30 years. Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in its natural setting without manipulating or interfering with the environment. This approach allows researchers to gain a better understanding of the behavior of the studied species.

Question 4

When research is potentially upsetting for participants,the Canadian Psychological Association guidelines require that risks must be minimized,participants must be informed of the risks,and suitable precautions must be taken to deal with strong reactions.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately reflects the guidelines of the Canadian Psychological Association regarding potentially upsetting research for participants. Risks must be minimized, participants must be informed of the risks, and suitable precautions must be taken to deal with strong reactions.

Question 5

If the information produced by research or testing accurately measures the psychological variable or quality it is intended to measure,it is said to be valid.

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the accuracy of the measurement tool in measuring the intended variable or quality. If the measure is accurate, then it is considered valid.

Question 6

A researcher or observer should try to subtly communicate to participants in a study the behaviours he or she anticipates,to bring about a desirable expectancy effect.

Accepted Answer

A researcher or observer should not communicate any expectations to participants in order to avoid potential demand characteristics and other biases that could affect the results of the study. It is important to use methods such as double-blind designs and standardized protocols to minimize the influence of expectations on participant behavior.

Question 7

Questionnaires and surveys are examples of self-report measures.

Accepted Answer

This is true as both questionnaires and surveys rely on individuals self-reporting information about their attitudes, behaviors, opinions, and experiences.

Question 8

The primary purpose of using correlational methods is to establish cause and effect relationships.

Accepted Answer

Correlational methods are used to examine the relationship between two or more variables, but they cannot establish cause and effect relationships. Other research designs such as experiments are needed to establish causal relationships.

Question 9

The Canadian Psychological Association's ethical guidelines require that research participants be informed of any deception that will take place,prior to their giving informed consent.

Accepted Answer

The Canadian Psychological Association's ethical guidelines require that participants be informed of any deception as soon as possible after the study, not before giving informed consent, to avoid compromising the study's integrity.

Question 10

The value of a perfect positive correlation is +1.0 and the value of a perfect negative correlation is -1.0.

Accepted Answer

This is correct, as a perfect positive correlation means that the two variables move in the same direction with a strength of +1.0, while a perfect negative correlation means that the two variables move in opposite directions with a strength of -1.0.

Question 11

In an experiment,researchers manipulate the dependent variable and measure the independent variable.

Accepted Answer

In an experiment, researchers manipulate the independent variable and measure the dependent variable.

Question 12

If two variables are completely unrelated to each other,they will yield a correlation coefficient of zero.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. A correlation coefficient of zero indicates that there is no linear relationship between the two variables. However, it is important to note that there may still be other types of relationships or patterns between the variables that are not captured by the correlation coefficient.

Question 13

According to the ethical guidelines proposed by the Canadian Psychological Association,if deception is used in research it must be explained to the participants by the conclusion of the research and the participants must have the opportunity to withdraw their data.

Accepted Answer

The ethical guidelines proposed by the Canadian Psychological Association state that if deception is used in research, it must be explained to the participants by the conclusion of the research and the participants must have the opportunity to withdraw their data.

Question 14

If the results of a test or experiment are consistent and dependable,such that they can be repeated under similar conditions at different times,psychologists would say that the findings are valid.

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to the consistency and dependability of results, while validity refers to the accuracy and truthfulness of the findings.

Question 15

To minimize the potential for bias,researchers must be certain that no variable in an experiment is operationally defined.

Accepted Answer

This statement is actually the opposite of what is true. To minimize the potential for bias, researchers must be certain that all variables in an experiment are operationally defined. This means that the variables are clearly and consistently defined so that they can be measured and replicated by other researchers. Failure to operationally define variables can lead to biased results and a lack of reproducibility.

Question 16

When psychologists conduct research,all data and methods must eventually be open for public verifiability.In other words,the general public determines whether to accept or reject the conclusions reached by a researcher.

Accepted Answer

The scientific community, not the general public, primarily evaluates and verifies research findings through peer review and replication studies.

Question 17

The entire set of individuals to which generalizations will be made based on an experimental sample is called the population.

Accepted Answer

This is a correct statement. The population refers to the entire group of individuals that researchers are interested in studying and making conclusions about based on their sample data.

Question 18

What level of significance is commonly used by psychologists when assessing whether their results are due to chance?
A)5
B).5
C).05
D).01

Accepted Answer

Psychologists commonly use a level of significance of .05 (or 5% chance) when assessing whether their results are due to chance. This level of significance provides a reasonable balance between minimizing the probability of making a type I error (rejecting a true null hypothesis) and maximizing statistical power to detect true effects.

Question 19

In a within-subjects research design,different groups of participants are randomly assigned to experimental conditions or to control conditions.

Accepted Answer

In a within-subjects research design, the same group of participants is exposed to both experimental and control conditions. There is no random assignment to different groups.

Question 20

A theory is defined as an organized set of concepts that explains a phenomenon or set of phenomena.

Accepted Answer

This is the commonly accepted definition of a theory.

Quiz 2: A: Research Methods in Psychology