AP Psychology Test Review Research Methods

Hypotheses are: 1. Integrated sets of principles that help to organize observations 2. Testable predictions, often derived from theories 3. Hunches about mental processes 4. Measures of relationships between two factors 5. Always derived from the independent variable

Psychologists use experimental research in order to reveal or to understand: 1. Correlational Relationships 2. Dependent variables 3. Hypotheses 4. Theories 5. Cause-and-effect relationships

The procedure designed to ensure that the experimental and control groups do not differ in any way that might affect the experiment’s results is called: 1. Variable controlling 2. Random assignment 3. Representative sampling 4. Stratification 5. Double-blind procedure

In order to determine the effects of a new drug on memory, one group of subjects is given a pill that contains the drug. A second group is given a sugar pill that does not contain the drug. This second group constitutes the: 1. Random sample 2. Quantifying variable 3. Experimental group 4. Control Group 5. Test Group

In an experiment to determine the effects of exercise on motivation, exercise is the: 1. Confounding variable 2. Intervening variable 3. Independent variable 4. Super-ordinate variable 5. Dependent variable

Which of the following research strategies would be best for determining whether alcohol impairs memory? 1. Experiment 2. Naturalistic Observation 3. Survey 4. Case Study 5. Questionnaire

A psychologist studies the play behavior of third grade children by watching groups during recess at school. Which research strategy is being used? 1. Correlational 2. Single-blind procedure 3. Case Study 4. Experimental 5. Naturalistic Observation

Well done surveys measure attitudes in a representative subset, or _________, of an entire group, or _________. 1. Population; Random Sample 2. Sample group; Population 3. Control Group; Experimental Group 4. Experimental Group; Control Group 5. Random Sample; Population

After detailed study of a gunshot wound victim, a psychologist concludes that the brain region destroyed is likely to be important for memory functions. Which research method did the psychologist use to deduce this? 1. Case Study 2. Survey 3. Correlational Experiment 4. Controlled Experiment 5. Naturalistic Observation

Which of the following research methods does NOT belong with the others? 1. Case Study 2. Survey 3. Naturalistic Observation 4. Controlled Experiment 5. Both 1 and 2

The method that removes the principal investigator from knowing who is in the experimental and control groups is called the: 1. Single-blind procedure 2. Double-blind procedure 3. Experimenter expectancy effect 4. Counterbalancing 5. Countermanding

This type of experimentation studies the differences between subgroups like boys and girls, or even separate high school classes. 1. Controlled experiment 2. Correlational Research 3. Naturalistic Observation 4. Quasi-experiment 5. Case Study

Calculate the mode for the following set of numbers: 4,5,6,45,1,2,5,6,7,6,8,6,45,

Calculate the Median of the following set of numbers: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,

Calculate the Mean of the following numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8,

What is the range for the following set of numbers? 5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,11,

Which of the following numbers indicates a stronger statistical correlation?

Which of these values would be considered more statistically significant? 1. p < p < p < p < P <.11

Organized sets of concepts that explain phenomenon are: 1. Independents variables 2. Dependent variables 3. Hypothesis 4. Theories 5. Statistics

Of the following, which research method is most effective for studying unusually complex or rare phenomenon? 1. Controlled experiment 2. Quasi-experiment 3. Test 4. Survey 5. Case study

What statistical technique would be appropriate for a researcher to use in trying to determine how consistent intelligences scores are over time? 1. Correlation coefficient 2. Mean 3. Median 4. Standard deviation 5. Range

A scientist’s willingness to admit that she is wrong is an example of? 1. Curiosity 2. Intelligence 3. Humility 4. Skepticism 5. Cynicism

When a distribution of scores is skewed, the best representation of central tendency is the 1. Inference 2. Standard deviation 3. Mean 4. Median 5. Correlation coefficient

Which of the following is a positive correlation? 1. As study time decreases, students achieve lower grades 2. As levels of self-esteem decline, levels of depression increase 3. People who exercise regularly are less likely to be obese 4. Gas mileage decreases as vehicle weight increases 5. Repeatedly shooting free throws is associated with a smaller percentage of missed free throws

Cross-sectional studies: 1. Compare individuals from different age groups at one time. 2. Compare individuals from different ethnic groups at one time. 3. Primarily examine gender differences. 4. Study the same group of people over a long period of time.

The difference between the experimental group and the control group is defined by the presence of the 1. Confounding variable 2. Dependent variable 3. Independent variable 4. Sample group

The ethical requirement of informed consent might contribute to what type of bias in a psychological study? 1. Consent bias 2. Ethical bias 3. Participant bias 4. Researcher bias

A researcher who uses participants’ names in a paper about the results of a study violates which of the ethical principles established by the APA? 1. Confidentiality 2. Debriefing 3. Harm and discomfort 4. Informed consent