FREE BAPSY Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Psychological Research Methods Questions and Answers Flashcards

A researcher wants to determine whether sleep deprivation causes decreased reaction time. Which research design is most appropriate?

Answer: True experimental design

A true experimental design with random assignment and manipulation of the independent variable is needed to establish causation.

What is the primary purpose of a double-blind procedure in psychological research?

Answer: To reduce both participant and researcher bias

Double-blind procedures prevent both participants and researchers from knowing group assignments, minimizing expectation-related biases.

Which measure of central tendency is most affected by extreme outliers in a data set?

Answer: Mean

The mean incorporates every value in the calculation, making it highly sensitive to extreme scores that pull it toward the outlier.

A psychologist notices that students who exercise more frequently also report lower stress levels. What conclusion can be drawn?

Answer: Exercise and stress are negatively correlated

Correlational data can only establish that a relationship exists and its direction, not that one variable causes changes in another.

In a study with 200 participants, what does a p-value of 0.03 indicate?

Answer: There is a 3% probability the results occurred by chance alone assuming the null hypothesis is true

A p-value of 0.03 means there is a 3% probability of obtaining results at least this extreme if the null hypothesis were true.

Which ethical principle requires researchers to inform participants about potential risks before they agree to take part in a study?

Answer: Informed consent

Informed consent requires that participants receive clear information about procedures, risks, and their right to withdraw before agreeing to participate.