Free Research Methods and Statistics MCQs with Answers

• A. reliable
• B. valid
• C. conclusive
• D. both a and b

Explanation: A sound psychological measurement device should be reliable, producing consistent results, and valid, measuring what it claims to measure.

• A. Weber's law
• B. the opponent-process theory
• C. feature detection
• D. the difference threshold

Explanation: Weber's law states that the just noticeable difference is a constant proportion of the original stimulus, rather than a fixed physical…

• A. cross-sectional study
• B. longitudinal study
• C. life-history study
• D. sequential study

Explanation: A longitudinal study follows the same individuals or subject group across an extended period, allowing researchers to observe change over…

• A. case study
• B. survey
• C. correlational
• D. experimental
• E. None of these

Explanation: An intensive investigation of one injured person, including the effects of damage to a brain region, is a case study.

• A. case history
• B. correlation
• C. negative correlation
• D. positive correlation

Explanation: When caloric intake and weight gain both increase, the variables move in the same direction, showing a positive correlation.

• A. intervening variable
• B. independent variable
• C. dependent variable
• D. irrelevant variable

Explanation: Driver attention is the outcome being measured, so it is the dependent variable.

• A. applied research
• B. basic research
• C. clinical research
• D. developmental research
• E. None of these

Explanation: Applied research uses psychological knowledge to solve practical problems, such as improving worker productivity through office design.

• A. invalid
• B. biased
• C. error
• D. unreliable

Explanation: The rumor creates a demand characteristic, causing participants to change their behavior to appear non-racist.

• A. an experiment
• B. a correlational study
• C. a descriptive study
• D. a self-report study

Explanation: The psychologist only observes and records behavior without manipulating conditions or asking participants to report their experiences.

• A. replication
• B. placebo
• C. random sample
• D. double blind
• E. None of these

Explanation: A placebo is an inactive treatment made to resemble the real treatment, allowing researchers to separate pharmacological effects from…

• A. research hypothesis
• B. observer expectancy effect
• C. independent variable
• D. inferential statistics

Explanation: A research hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables, here that toy-filled environments will improve…

• A. survey research
• B. naturalistic observation
• C. experimentation
• D. replication

Explanation: Naturalistic observation involves systematically watching and recording behavior in its usual setting without manipulating conditions.

• A. casually related
• B. negatively correlated
• C. independent variables
• D. dependent variables
• E. None of these

Explanation: A lower marital-satisfaction score among wealthier people means the two variables move in opposite directions, which is a negative…

• A. the survey
• B. experimentation
• C. naturalistic observation
• D. the case study

Explanation: Observing chimpanzees in their natural jungle setting without manipulating conditions is naturalistic observation.

• A. experiment
• B. the survey
• C. the case study
• D. naturalistic observation

Explanation: Survey research asks a sample of people standardized questions about their opinions, experiences, or behavior.

• A. survey research
• B. case study research
• C. correlation
• D. experimental research

Explanation: Experimental research is the strongest method for testing therapy effectiveness because researchers can compare treatment and control…

• A. the survey
• B. the experiment
• C. correlations
• D. naturalistic observation

Explanation: An experiment manipulates an independent variable while controlling other conditions, allowing researchers to test whether it produces…

• A. explain observed facts
• B. organize scientific observation
• C. generate hypothesis
• D. do all the above

Explanation: A scientific theory organizes observations, explains established findings, and generates testable hypotheses for new research.

• A. case history
• B. literature review
• C. meta-analysis
• D. theory

Explanation: A literature review systematically summarizes and evaluates existing research on a topic.

• A. the only variable of interest
• B. a variable that is independently verified
• C. a variable whose value depends on that of the dependent variable
• D. the variable that is manipulated by experimenter

Explanation: The independent variable is the factor deliberately changed or controlled by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent…