Psychology Degree Psychological Research Methods 3

Question 1

A researcher uses snowball sampling to recruit participants. This method is most appropriate when:

Accepted Answer

The target population is hidden or hard to reach

Answer

Snowball sampling, where participants recruit other participants, is useful for hard-to-reach or stigmatized populations.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a mediating variable?

Accepted Answer

A third variable that explains the mechanism between X and Y

Answer

A mediator explains the process or mechanism by which an independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable.

Question 3

In meta-analysis, what is publication bias?

Accepted Answer

The tendency to publish only studies with positive or significant results

Answer

Publication bias occurs because journals favor statistically significant results, causing the literature to overrepresent positive findings.

Question 4

A Type II error in hypothesis testing occurs when a researcher:

Accepted Answer

Fails to reject a false null hypothesis

Answer

A Type II error (false negative) means failing to detect a real effect — the null hypothesis is false but the researcher does not reject it.

Question 5

Which ethical principle requires that researchers treat all participants fairly and distribute research benefits and burdens equitably?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

The principle of justice requires fair selection of participants and equitable distribution of research risks and benefits across groups.

Psychology Degree Practice Test