Psychology Degree Research Methods and Ethics Questions and Answers Flashcards

Which type of research design allows a researcher to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables?

Answer: Experimental design

Experimental designs use random assignment and manipulation of independent variables, which are required to establish causation.

What is the primary purpose of a debriefing session in psychological research?

Answer: To inform participants about the true nature and purpose of the study

Debriefing occurs after participation and involves explaining the study's actual purpose, especially if any deception was used.

A researcher finds a correlation coefficient of -0.85 between stress levels and sleep quality. What does this indicate?

Answer: A strong negative relationship

A correlation of -0.85 indicates a strong inverse relationship, meaning as stress increases, sleep quality tends to decrease.

Which ethical principle requires researchers to ensure that participants can withdraw from a study at any time without penalty?

Answer: Voluntary participation

Voluntary participation means subjects freely choose to participate and can leave the study at any point without negative consequences.

What is the main advantage of using a double-blind procedure in an experiment?

Answer: It reduces both experimenter bias and participant expectancy effects

In a double-blind procedure, neither the researcher nor the participant knows group assignment, minimizing bias from both parties.

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) would most likely reject a study proposal if it fails to demonstrate what?

Answer: That the potential benefits outweigh the risks to participants

IRBs evaluate whether the anticipated benefits of research justify any potential risks or harm to participants.