Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
Pre-Test Questions
Course Introduction
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and techniques of research design, data collection, and data analysis in the behavioral sciences. Students will explore a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, including experimental, correlational, survey, and observational approaches. Emphasis is placed on developing skills in critical evaluation of existing research, formulation of research questions and hypotheses, ethical considerations, and the interpretation and reporting of findings. By the end of the course, students will have acquired the foundational knowledge necessary to design and conduct rigorous scientific studies in fields such as psychology, sociology, and related disciplines.
Recommended Textbook Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences 4th Edition by Frederick J Gravetter
Available Study Resources on Quizplus
16 Chapters
1073 Verified Questions
1073 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/442 Page 2
Chapter 1: Introduction, Acquiring Knowledge, and the Scientific Method
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7835
Sample Questions
Q1) A good hypothesis should make a positive statement about the existence of a relationship,a difference,or a treatment effect.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q2) One difference between a scientific answer and answers gained by other methods is that the scientific answer is more likely to be an absolute or final answer.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q3) Distinguish between science and pseudoscience.
Answer: Science is based on evidence gathered from systematic and objective observations.Pseudoscience tends to rely on subjective evidence,anecdotal reports,and a few hand-picked examples of success.Science examines hypotheses and theories that can be tested and refuted.As a result,scientific theories are open to change or revision when new results contradict old ideas.Pseudoscience typically does not acknowledge or accept negative results,and does not change or evolve.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 3
Chapter 2: Research Ideas
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
68 Verified Questions
68 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7836
Sample Questions
Q1) What is the difference between a primary and a secondary source?
Answer: A primary source is a first-hand report in which the authors describe their own research study,including why the research was done,how the study was conducted,what results were found,and how those results were interpreted.To obtain complete and accurate information regarding a study,it is important to consult the primary source.In contrast,a secondary source is a secondhand report in which the authors discuss someone else's study.Secondary sources provide concise summaries of past research.However,they are always incomplete and can be biased or simply inaccurate.
Q2) An empirical journal article is an example of a ________ source.
A)primary
B)secondary
C)premier
D)germinal
Answer: A
Q3) It is best to let the background literature lead you to a new research idea.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 3: Defining and Measuring Variables
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
68 Verified Questions
68 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7837
Sample Questions
Q1) Describe one of the modes of measurement (behavioral,self-report,physiological).Discuss both the advantages and the limitations of this mode of measuring.
Answer: The three modes of measurement are: (1)self-report measures,(2)physiological measures,and (3)behavioral measures.The advantage of self-report measures is that the actual participant has the best possible information about himself or herself.The disadvantage is that it is easy for participants to lie or misrepresent themselves with self-report measures.The advantage of physiological measures is that they are objective.The disadvantage is that the equipment can be expensive and it can intrude on normal behavior.Behavioral measures have the advantage of providing a large number of options that allow a researcher to select a behavior that is directly related to the situation being studied.The disadvantage is that a behavior may be only temporary or situational so that it does not accurately represent the true underlying situation.
Q2) Whenever an operational definition is used for a hypothetical construct,the question of reliability is important to consider.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 5
Chapter 4: Ethics in Research
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7838
Sample Questions
Q1) Describe a situation where it may be permissible to dispense with informed consent.
Q2) If deception is used,participants must be debriefed as soon as possible after the study.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Deliberately putting inaccurate information in a research report is an example of fraud.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Which element of ethical responsibility requires special attention for populations such as young children or people diagnosed with mental retardation?
A)protection from any risk of harm
B)informed consent
C)confidentiality
D)anonymity
Q5) Questions of ethics concern moral versus immoral behavior.
A)True
B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 6
Chapter 5: Selecting Research Participants
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
66 Verified Questions
66 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7839
Sample Questions
Q1) A researcher would like to select a sample of 50 people so that five different age groups are equally represented in the sample.Assuming that the researcher does not know the entire list of people in the population,which sampling technique should be used?
A)quota sampling
B)stratified random sampling
C)proportionate stratified random sampling
D)cluster sampling
Q2) A professor teaching an introductory psychology class of 200 obtains a sample of 25 students by selecting every 8?? name from the class list.The professor is using A)simple random sampling.
B)convenience sampling.
C)proportionate stratified random sampling.
D) systematic sampling.
Q3) Stratified and proportionate stratified sampling both involve selecting individuals from predetermined subgroups in the population.
A)True
B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 6: Research Strategies and Validity
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7840
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following questions can be addressed with the descriptive strategy?
A)What is the average number of text messages that a typical adolescent sends in a month?
B)Is there a relationship between the number of text messages that adolescents send each month and the number of pages of leisure reading done by adolescents?
C)Does decreasing the number of text messages sent by adolescents cause an increase in number of pages read for leisure?
D)None of these questions can be addressed with this strategy
Q2) Any factor that allows for an alternative explanation for the results of a study is a threat to external validity.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Any factor that allows an alternative explanation for the results of a study is a threat to
A)internal validity.
B)external validity.
C)reliability.
D)accuracy.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
8
Chapter 7: The Experimental Research Strategy
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7841
Sample Questions
Q1) The measured variable in an experiment is the
A)independent variable.
B)dependent variable.
C)extraneous variable.
D)confounding variable.
Q2) Researchers often use simulation experiments in an attempt to obtain the _________ of an experiment and still keep much of the _________ of research conducted in the real world.
A)external validity,internal validity
B)internal validity,external validity
C)experimental realism,mundane realism
D)mundane realism,experimental realism
Q3) What is the advantage of a field study over a laboratory study?
A)increased internal validity
B)increased external validity
C)increased reliability
D)elimination of history effects
Q4) Explain why manipulation of an independent variable is a necessary component of an experiment.
Q5) Explain how simulation and field studies increase external validity.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 9
Chapter 8: Experimental Designs: Between-Subjects Design
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7842
Sample Questions
Q1) When comparing means in a two-group design,which statistical analysis is most appropriate?
A)independent-measures t test
B)repeated-measures t test
C)single-factor analysis of variance
D)chi-square test for independence
Q2) If a between-subjects experiment produces 50 scores in treatment 1 and 50 scores in treatment 2,then the experiment must have employed
A)50 participants.
B)100 participants.
C)25 participants.
D)200 participants.
Q3) Describe the advantages and disadvantages of holding a participant characteristic constant in a between-subjects experiment.
Q4) Differential attrition can threaten the internal validity of a between-subjects experiment.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Explain the benefit of independent scores in a between-subjects design.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 10
Chapter 9: Experimental Designs: Within-Subjects Design
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7843
Sample Questions
Q1) Random assignment is used to control order effects in a within-subjects experiment.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Counterbalancing is used in
A)between-subjects designs to reduce individual differences.
B)within-subjects designs to distribute order effects evenly across the treatment conditions.
C)between-subjects designs to distribute order effects evenly across the treatment conditions.
D)within-subjects designs to reduce the effects of reactivity.
Q3) In a Latin square
A)each participant receives each treatment in the same order.
B)each treatment is administered first in the series for one group of participants.
C)each participant receives a different treatment.
D)every possible ordering of treatment conditions is used.
Q4) Describe a matched-subjects design and explain how this design attempts to avoid the major problems that exist with a between-subject design and a within-subjects design.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
11
Chapter 10: The Nonexperimental and Quasi-Experimental
Strategies: Nonequivalent Group, Pre-Post, and Developmental Designs
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7844
Sample Questions
Q1) Differential research is classified as
A)correlational.
B)experimental.
C)quasi-experimental.
D)nonexperimental.
Q2) The changes that occur as a person ages from child to adult to elderly,are called cohort effects.
A)True
B)False
Q3) A problem with a longitudinal design is that the results may be distorted by A)cohort effects.
B)participant attrition.
C)differential history effects.
D)assignment bias.
Q4) A one-group pretest-posttest study is an example of a nonequivalent groups design.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Distinguish nonexperimental designs from quasi-experimental designs. Page 12
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 13
Chapter 11: Factorial Designs
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7845
Sample Questions
Q1) How many independent variables are there in a 2*2*2 factorial design?
A)2
B)3
C)4
D)8
Q2) In a 3*4 factorial design there are ________ main effect(s)and ________interaction(s)possible.
A)3; 4
B)2; 3
C)2; 1
D)1; 2
Q3) In order to determine whether factors influence or interact with each other,a researcher must use
A)two experiments.
B)a factorial design.
C)a between-subjects design.
D)a mixed design.
Q4) For a two-factor design,describe what is meant by a "main effect" and an "interaction."
Q5) Describe two situations in which factorial designs are commonly used.
Page 14
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 12: The Correlational Research Strategy
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7846
Sample Questions
Q1) A researcher reports an inverse relationship between weight and exercise level for a group of 8-year-old children (greater weight is associated with less exercise).However,the researcher cannot be sure whether the extra weight is preventing the children from exercising or whether the lack of exercise is leading to greater weight.This is an example of A)the third-variable problem. B)the directionality problem.
C)the reversal problem.
D)the criterion problem.
Q2) In correlational studies,the consistency of a relationship is typically measured and described by the numerical value obtained for a A)mean.
B)t test.
C)correlational coefficient.
D)standard deviation.
Q3) With a very large sample,even a very small correlation can be statistically significant.
A)True
B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 15
Chapter 13: Descriptive Research Strategy
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7847
Sample Questions
Q1) A researcher who wanted to observe behaviors in a private social club would probably need to use
A)naturalistic observation.
B)participant observation.
C)contrived observation.
D)unstructured observation.
Q2) The goal of the descriptive research strategy is
A)to describe an individual person or patient in great detail.
B)to describe a variable (or variables)as they exist naturally.
C)to describe the relationship between two variables.
D)to establish the existence of a cause and effect relationship between variables.
Q3) Archival research involves applying the techniques of behavioral observation to record behaviors in books or movies.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Suppose you are interested in performing an observational study of eating behavior of rats in a laboratory.Describe one method to quantify this behavior: that is explain how you could convert the observations into numerical scores.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 16
Chapter 14: Single-Subject Research Designs
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7848
Sample Questions
Q1) A clear indication of a treatment effect is a gradual change in behavior after the treatment is initiated.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using visual inspection of graphs rather than statistics to evaluate the significance of the results.
Q3) In single-subject research,a group of observations of the same individual under the same conditions is known as
A)a time series.
B)a phase.
C)a sequence.
D)a data set.
Q4) The alternating-treatments design does not consist of phases or phase changes.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Describe how single-case designs are similar to descriptive case studies and quasi-experimental time-series designs.
Q6) Describe the goal of a single-subject research study.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 17
Chapter 15: Statistical Evaluation of Data
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7849
Sample Questions
Q1) To construct a frequency distribution graph displaying a set of scores that were measured on a nominal or an ordinal scale,you should use
A)only a histogram.
B)only a polygon.
C)only a bar graph.
D)either a histogram or a polygon.
Q2) The concept of degrees of freedom is associated with
A)the mean for a sample.
B)the median for a sample.
C)the mode for a sample.
D)the variance for a sample.
Q3) Statistical techniques that summarize,organize,and simplify data are classified as A)population statistics.
B)sample statistics.
C)descriptive statistics.
D)inferential statistics.
Q4) The median is the most commonly used measure of central tendency.
A)True
B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 18
Chapter 16: Writing a Research Report
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
67 Verified Questions
67 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/7850
Sample Questions
Q1) Describe what elements are typically contained in an APA-style abstract for a research report.
Q2) The discussion section of an APA-style research report typically contains which of the following?
A)restatement of the hypothesis
B)restatement of major results
C)discussion of limitations of the research
D)the other three choices are all typically included in the discussion section
Q3) The major subsections of an APA-style method section describing a study conducted with nonhumans are: subjects and procedure.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Which of the following is the proper way to cite a source with two authors in a research report,when the authors' names appear as the subject of the sentence?
A)Smith and Jones,2005
B)Smith & Jones,2005
C)Smith and Jones (2005)
D)Smith & Jones (2005)
Q5) What is the purpose of a research proposal?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 19