Q.1 Which of the following best describes a true experimental design?
A study where participants are observed in natural settings without manipulation
A study with manipulation of an independent variable and random assignment
A study using surveys and questionnaires to collect data
A study analyzing existing records and documents
Explanation - True experiments involve manipulation of the independent variable and random assignment to control for confounding factors.
Correct answer is: A study with manipulation of an independent variable and random assignment
Q.2 In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated by the researcher is called:
Dependent variable
Independent variable
Confounding variable
Extraneous variable
Explanation - The independent variable is the one that the researcher manipulates to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
Correct answer is: Independent variable
Q.3 Which type of experimental design uses the same participants in all conditions?
Independent groups design
Repeated measures design
Matched pairs design
Cross-sectional design
Explanation - In repeated measures designs, the same participants are exposed to all levels of the independent variable.
Correct answer is: Repeated measures design
Q.4 Random assignment helps to:
Reduce sampling bias
Ensure cause-effect relationships
Increase external validity
Control for confounding variables
Explanation - Random assignment ensures that participants are equally likely to be in any condition, minimizing confounding effects.
Correct answer is: Control for confounding variables
Q.5 A placebo control group is used to:
Enhance participant motivation
Control for the effects of expectations
Increase sample size
Manipulate the independent variable
Explanation - Placebo groups help to isolate the effect of the treatment from participants' expectations of improvement.
Correct answer is: Control for the effects of expectations
Q.6 Which threat to internal validity occurs when participants drop out of the study?
Maturation
Attrition
Testing effect
Instrumentation
Explanation - Attrition refers to participant loss over time, which can bias results if the dropouts are not random.
Correct answer is: Attrition
Q.7 Counterbalancing is primarily used to control for:
Order effects
Sampling bias
Random error
Demand characteristics
Explanation - Counterbalancing changes the order of conditions across participants to reduce order-related biases in repeated measures designs.
Correct answer is: Order effects
Q.8 A confounding variable is:
A variable that the researcher manipulates
A variable that is measured as the outcome
An external variable that affects both independent and dependent variables
A variable that remains constant across groups
Explanation - Confounding variables can create a false impression of causality if not controlled.
Correct answer is: An external variable that affects both independent and dependent variables
Q.9 Which design compares different participants in each condition?
Independent groups design
Repeated measures design
Matched pairs design
Factorial design
Explanation - Independent groups design assigns different participants to each level of the independent variable.
Correct answer is: Independent groups design
Q.10 Double-blind procedures are used to control for:
Experimenter and participant bias
Random sampling error
External validity issues
Attrition effects
Explanation - In double-blind studies, neither participants nor researchers know the conditions, reducing bias.
Correct answer is: Experimenter and participant bias
Q.11 Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a well-controlled experiment?
Manipulation of the independent variable
Random assignment
Control over confounding variables
Using only observational data without intervention
Explanation - Well-controlled experiments require manipulation and control, whereas purely observational studies lack these features.
Correct answer is: Using only observational data without intervention
Q.12 Internal validity refers to:
How well the results generalize to other settings
The degree to which causal conclusions are justified
The representativeness of the sample
The reliability of measurement tools
Explanation - Internal validity ensures that changes in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable and not confounds.
Correct answer is: The degree to which causal conclusions are justified
Q.13 External validity is concerned with:
The causal relationship between variables
Generalizability of findings
Random assignment procedures
Measurement reliability
Explanation - External validity assesses whether the results can be applied beyond the experimental context.
Correct answer is: Generalizability of findings
Q.14 A factorial design allows researchers to:
Test multiple independent variables simultaneously
Control for one independent variable only
Avoid random assignment
Use only qualitative data
Explanation - Factorial designs test interactions between two or more independent variables in one experiment.
Correct answer is: Test multiple independent variables simultaneously
Q.15 Which method can help reduce experimenter bias?
Single-blind procedure
Random sampling
Counterbalancing
Longitudinal design
Explanation - In single-blind procedures, participants are unaware of conditions, which reduces the risk of experimenter expectations influencing behavior.
Correct answer is: Single-blind procedure
Q.16 In an experiment, the outcome measured is called:
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Control variable
Confounding variable
Explanation - The dependent variable is the effect or outcome measured to assess the influence of the independent variable.
Correct answer is: Dependent variable
Q.17 Matched pairs designs are useful when:
Participants can easily serve in all conditions
You want to reduce variability between groups
You have a very large sample
Random assignment is not feasible
Explanation - Matched pairs designs pair participants on relevant characteristics to make groups more comparable.
Correct answer is: You want to reduce variability between groups
Q.18 What is the primary goal of experimental research?
Describe patterns of behavior
Establish cause-and-effect relationships
Predict future outcomes
Develop theories without testing
Explanation - Experiments are designed to manipulate variables and determine causality.
Correct answer is: Establish cause-and-effect relationships
Q.19 Which is an example of a quasi-experiment?
Randomly assigning students to different teaching methods
Studying effects of a natural disaster on stress levels without random assignment
Testing memory differences in a lab with random assignment
Comparing two groups of rats in a controlled maze
Explanation - Quasi-experiments lack random assignment but still investigate causal relationships.
Correct answer is: Studying effects of a natural disaster on stress levels without random assignment
Q.20 Which of the following best reduces demand characteristics?
Providing full disclosure of hypotheses
Using deception or cover stories
Allowing participants to choose their group
Measuring dependent variables multiple times
Explanation - Deception helps prevent participants from altering behavior to match perceived expectations.
Correct answer is: Using deception or cover stories
Q.21 Ecological validity is concerned with:
The precision of statistical analysis
How well findings generalize to real-world settings
The reliability of measurements
The strength of the causal relationship
Explanation - Ecological validity examines whether experimental results reflect natural environments.
Correct answer is: How well findings generalize to real-world settings
Q.22 Which is an example of an independent variable?
Participants' IQ scores
Type of therapy administered
Level of anxiety measured after treatment
Number of errors made on a task
Explanation - The independent variable is manipulated to study its effect on outcomes like anxiety or errors.
Correct answer is: Type of therapy administered
Q.23 Pilot studies are conducted to:
Test the full-scale experiment
Identify potential problems in design or procedure
Collect the main data for hypothesis testing
Replace random assignment
Explanation - Pilot studies help refine procedures and ensure the experiment runs smoothly before the main study.
Correct answer is: Identify potential problems in design or procedure
Q.24 Which type of validity is most directly concerned with whether a test measures what it claims to measure?
Internal validity
External validity
Construct validity
Ecological validity
Explanation - Construct validity assesses whether a measurement tool accurately captures the theoretical construct it intends to measure.
Correct answer is: Construct validity