Q.1 Which of the following best defines an independent variable in research?
The variable that is measured for changes
The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect
The variable that remains constant throughout the study
The variable that is uncontrolled and random
Explanation - An independent variable is deliberately manipulated by the researcher to observe its impact on the dependent variable.
Correct answer is: The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect
Q.2 Which research design is most appropriate to establish cause-and-effect relationships?
Correlational design
Experimental design
Observational design
Case study design
Explanation - Experimental designs allow manipulation of the independent variable while controlling confounding variables, making them ideal for determining causation.
Correct answer is: Experimental design
Q.3 A researcher is studying the effect of sleep on memory performance. The number of hours slept is the:
Dependent variable
Independent variable
Extraneous variable
Confounding variable
Explanation - The independent variable is what the researcher manipulates—in this case, the amount of sleep—to see its effect on memory performance.
Correct answer is: Independent variable
Q.4 Which of the following is a threat to internal validity?
Random assignment
Confounding variables
Large sample size
Standardized procedures
Explanation - Confounding variables are uncontrolled factors that may influence the dependent variable, threatening the internal validity of a study.
Correct answer is: Confounding variables
Q.5 In a between-subjects design, each participant:
Experiences all levels of the independent variable
Experiences only one level of the independent variable
Is observed without manipulation
Serves as their own control
Explanation - In between-subjects designs, different participants are assigned to different levels of the independent variable, preventing carryover effects.
Correct answer is: Experiences only one level of the independent variable
Q.6 Which type of research design involves repeated measurements of the same participants?
Cross-sectional design
Longitudinal design
Between-subjects design
Experimental design
Explanation - Longitudinal designs track the same individuals over time to observe changes, unlike cross-sectional designs which study different individuals at one point in time.
Correct answer is: Longitudinal design
Q.7 Random assignment helps to:
Increase sample size
Eliminate sampling bias
Control for extraneous variables
Ensure generalizability
Explanation - Random assignment distributes participants across groups in a way that reduces the influence of extraneous variables, enhancing internal validity.
Correct answer is: Control for extraneous variables
Q.8 Which research design is most suitable for studying rare psychological phenomena?
Case study
Experimental
Correlational
Survey
Explanation - Case studies allow in-depth analysis of rare or unique psychological phenomena that cannot be generalized to large populations.
Correct answer is: Case study
Q.9 A confounding variable is best described as:
A variable manipulated by the researcher
A variable that changes with the dependent variable
An uncontrolled variable that affects the outcome
A variable measured but not manipulated
Explanation - Confounding variables are extraneous factors that may impact the dependent variable, potentially misleading the results.
Correct answer is: An uncontrolled variable that affects the outcome
Q.10 Cross-sectional designs are limited because they:
Require manipulation of variables
Cannot establish causation
Take a long time to complete
Involve repeated testing
Explanation - Cross-sectional studies can identify correlations but cannot determine cause-and-effect relationships because variables are not manipulated over time.
Correct answer is: Cannot establish causation
Q.11 Which type of validity examines whether a study measures what it intends to measure?
Internal validity
External validity
Construct validity
Face validity
Explanation - Construct validity ensures that the operational definitions and measurements truly reflect the theoretical constructs being studied.
Correct answer is: Construct validity
Q.12 In an experimental design, the dependent variable is:
Manipulated by the researcher
Measured to observe changes
Randomly assigned
A control variable
Explanation - The dependent variable is the outcome of interest that is measured to see how it responds to changes in the independent variable.
Correct answer is: Measured to observe changes
Q.13 Which of the following is a non-experimental research design?
Randomized controlled trial
Quasi-experimental design
Longitudinal study
Laboratory experiment
Explanation - Longitudinal studies can observe changes over time without manipulating variables, making them non-experimental.
Correct answer is: Longitudinal study
Q.14 The term 'operational definition' refers to:
Defining variables abstractly
Defining how variables are measured
Assigning participants randomly
Controlling confounding variables
Explanation - Operational definitions specify exactly how concepts are measured or manipulated in a study, allowing replication and clarity.
Correct answer is: Defining how variables are measured
Q.15 A study with high external validity is one where:
Results can be generalized to other settings and populations
Results are unaffected by confounding variables
Variables are clearly defined
Participants are randomly assigned
Explanation - External validity refers to the extent to which study findings can be applied beyond the studied sample or conditions.
Correct answer is: Results can be generalized to other settings and populations
Q.16 Which design allows researchers to study naturally occurring groups without random assignment?
Quasi-experimental design
True experimental design
Cross-sectional survey
Case study
Explanation - Quasi-experiments involve manipulation of an independent variable without random assignment, often using pre-existing groups.
Correct answer is: Quasi-experimental design
Q.17 Which of the following best describes a repeated-measures design?
Each participant is tested only once
Participants are randomly assigned to different groups
The same participants are tested under all conditions
Different participants are tested in each condition
Explanation - Repeated-measures designs involve testing the same participants multiple times to control for individual differences.
Correct answer is: The same participants are tested under all conditions
Q.18 Which type of research design would be most affected by participant dropout over time?
Cross-sectional
Longitudinal
Case study
Experimental
Explanation - Longitudinal studies require following the same participants over time, so attrition can threaten the study's validity.
Correct answer is: Longitudinal
Q.19 Which of the following is an example of a field experiment?
Testing memory in a laboratory setting
Observing classroom behavior while manipulating seating arrangements
Surveying opinions via online forms
Analyzing archival data
Explanation - Field experiments involve manipulation of variables in natural settings, such as classrooms, rather than in a controlled lab.
Correct answer is: Observing classroom behavior while manipulating seating arrangements
Q.20 Pilot studies are conducted primarily to:
Test hypotheses formally
Assess feasibility and refine procedures
Replace full-scale studies
Generalize findings to populations
Explanation - Pilot studies are small-scale preliminary studies to test procedures and identify potential issues before conducting the main research.
Correct answer is: Assess feasibility and refine procedures
Q.21 A null hypothesis states that:
There is a significant effect between variables
There is no effect or relationship between variables
The research design is experimental
The variables are operationalized
Explanation - The null hypothesis predicts no effect or relationship, serving as a baseline to test the research hypothesis.
Correct answer is: There is no effect or relationship between variables
Q.22 Which design is particularly useful for developmental psychology studies?
Cross-sectional and longitudinal designs
Quasi-experimental designs
Laboratory experiments
Case studies only
Explanation - Developmental studies often use cross-sectional designs for quick comparisons and longitudinal designs to observe development over time.
Correct answer is: Cross-sectional and longitudinal designs
Q.23 Which of the following can improve internal validity in research?
Increasing external validity
Random assignment and control groups
Using a case study design
Avoiding manipulation of variables
Explanation - Random assignment and control groups help control extraneous variables, thereby improving internal validity.
Correct answer is: Random assignment and control groups
Q.24 Which statement correctly describes correlational research?
It manipulates variables to determine causation
It measures the relationship between two variables without manipulation
It is always longitudinal
It involves random assignment
Explanation - Correlational research identifies relationships between variables but cannot establish cause-and-effect.
Correct answer is: It measures the relationship between two variables without manipulation
Q.25 What is the primary purpose of a control group in an experiment?
To manipulate the independent variable
To serve as a baseline for comparison
To measure external validity
To operationalize variables
Explanation - A control group does not receive the experimental treatment, allowing researchers to compare outcomes and isolate the effect of the independent variable.
Correct answer is: To serve as a baseline for comparison