Psychology Degree Research Methods and Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher finds a statistically significant result (p < .05) but a very small effect size (d = 0.05). What does this most likely indicate?
- The finding is practically meaningless despite statistical significance (Correct answer)
- The study had too few participants
- The hypothesis was incorrect
- The measurement instrument was invalid
Correct answer: The finding is practically meaningless despite statistical significance
A tiny effect size means the difference is statistically detectable (due to large N) but has little real-world significance.
Question 2: Which research design is most appropriate for studying whether childhood trauma causes adult anxiety disorders?
- Cross-sectional survey
- Case study
- Prospective longitudinal study (Correct answer)
- Meta-analysis
Correct answer: Prospective longitudinal study
A prospective longitudinal study follows participants over time, allowing researchers to track trauma exposure and later anxiety outcomes.
Question 3: In a double-blind study, who is unaware of the treatment condition?
- Only the participants
- Only the researchers
- Both participants and the researchers interacting with them (Correct answer)
- The IRB reviewing the study
Correct answer: Both participants and the researchers interacting with them
Double-blind means neither the participants nor the researchers administering the treatment know who is in which condition.
Question 4: A psychology professor offers extra credit to students who participate in her study on exam stress. What ethical concern does this raise?
- Deception
- Undue inducement/coercion (Correct answer)
- Breach of confidentiality
- Inadequate debriefing
Correct answer: Undue inducement/coercion
Extra credit from an authority figure can compromise voluntary participation because students may feel pressured to join.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a manipulation check in an experimental study?
- To verify the dependent variable was measured reliably
- To confirm that the independent variable was successfully operationalized (Correct answer)
- To test whether randomization worked
- To assess whether participants liked the study
Correct answer: To confirm that the independent variable was successfully operationalized
A manipulation check is a separate measure confirming that the IV actually induced the intended psychological state or condition.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the ecological validity of a laboratory experiment?
- How well the sample represents the population
- The degree to which findings generalize to real-world settings (Correct answer)
- Whether the study was conducted ethically
- The reliability of the dependent variable measure
Correct answer: The degree to which findings generalize to real-world settings
Ecological validity refers to how well a study's conditions reflect real-world environments, affecting generalizability.
Question 7: A researcher administers the same personality questionnaire twice, three months apart, and finds a correlation of r = .85. This reflects which psychometric property?
- Internal consistency
- Construct validity
- Test-retest reliability (Correct answer)
- Predictive validity
Correct answer: Test-retest reliability
Test-retest reliability measures the stability of a test score over time using repeated administrations.
Psychology Degree Research Methods and Ethics 2
A researcher finds a statistically significant result (p < .05) but a very small effect size (d = 0.05).
What does this most likely indicate?