Free Research Methods and Statistics MCQs with Answers

• A. the same people are retested over a period of years
• B. different age groups are tested at the same time
• C. different characteristics of a given individual are assessed at the same time
• D. the behavior of a group is assessed by different researchers

Explanation: A cross-sectional design compares different age groups or other groups at one point in time.

• A. explaining attitudes
• B. predicting behavior
• C. discovering the causes of behavior
• D. doing all the above

Explanation: Correlation shows how strongly two variables are related, so it can help predict one variable from another.

• A. the independent variable
• B. an explanation of a phenomenon
• C. a testable prediction derived from a theory
• D. the dependent variable

Explanation: A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction, often derived from a broader theory.

• A. randomized selection
• B. control group identification
• C. experimental
• D. hypothesis testing

Explanation: The experimental method distinguishes itself by allowing researchers to manipulate an independent variable while controlling other…

• A. sample error
• B. sample bias
• C. population error
• D. population bias
• E. None of these

Explanation: Sample bias occurs when the procedure for selecting participants makes the sample systematically unrepresentative of the population.

• A. field study
• B. case history
• C. survey
• D. life history

Explanation: A field study observes behavior in a natural setting, such as children playing on a playground, without arranging the setting as a…

• A. theory
• B. experiment
• C. hypothesis
• D. proposition

Explanation: A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction that guides the research design and data collection.

• A. an experiment
• B. a theory
• C. a hypothesis
• D. a hunch

Explanation: The prediction that underlining improves retention is a hypothesis because it states a relationship that can be tested by comparing…

• A. using a matched-subjects design
• B. Higher IQ level relatively constant
• C. running a double-blind experiment
• D. randomly assigning subjects to groups

Explanation: Matching participants, holding IQ relatively constant, and random assignment can reduce the effect of IQ differences between groups.

• A. indicate causality
• B. are more valid than laboratory studies
• C. indicate some relationship between two variables
• D. involve manipulation of independent variables

Explanation: Correlation shows that two variables are related and indicates the direction and strength of that relationship, but it does not establish…

• A. it has more subjects
• B. it has less validity
• C. it is less reliable
• D. it must deal with difference among subjects
• E. None of these

Explanation: A between-subjects design uses different participants in each condition, so individual differences between participants can add error.

• A. prove a hypothesis
• B. establish a law
• C. explain and relate observed facts
• D. develop the steps to be used in experimentation

Explanation: A theory organizes observed facts and explains how they are related, allowing researchers to generate testable hypotheses.

• A. case study
• B. survey research
• C. archival research
• D. field research

Explanation: Archival research examines existing records, documents, or databases rather than collecting new information directly from participants.

• A. siblings
• B. identical twins
• C. factor analysis
• D. longitudinal approach

Explanation: Identical twins share nearly all of their genetic material, so comparing them provides the strongest experimental control over genetic…

• A. The TAT
• B. The Rorschach
• C. The MMPI
• D. The Draw-a-Person test
• E. None of these

Explanation: The MMPI is a standardized objective inventory with established scoring procedures and generally higher reliability than projective…

• A. Control group
• B. Experimental group
• C. No group
• D. None of these

Explanation: A control group does not receive the experimental treatment and provides a comparison against which the treatment group's effects can be…

• A. Scientific Study
• B. Biological Study
• C. Methodology
• D. Social Technique

Explanation: A scientific study systematically investigates facts using reliable, controlled, and repeatable methods.

• A. Construct
• B. Theory
• C. Hypothesis
• D. None of these

Explanation: A hypothesis is a provisional, testable explanation proposed for observed facts or relationships.

• A. Situational Crisis
• B. Interaction
• C. Multisituational Effect
• D. Variable Crisis

Explanation: An interaction occurs when the effects of two or more independent variables combine, so the effect of one variable depends on the level of…

• A. One Variable
• B. Two Variables
• C. Three Variables
• D. None of these

Explanation: In the simplest experiment, the experimenter manipulates one independent variable and observes its effect on a dependent variable.