Question 1

Dr. Haynes finds that in her laboratory, bacterium X can be killed with antibiotic Y. However, Dr. Swensson does not observe this same result in her laboratory. What is the most plausible explanation for why this happened?

Accepted Answer

Differences in experimental outcomes, especially in biomedical research, can often be attributed to variations in methodology or experimental conditions. Even slight differences in procedure, environment, or materials used can lead to different results.

Question 2

Holding factors such as temperature, lighting, and seating arrangement constant during experimental testing supports which of the following characteristics of scientific research?

Accepted Answer

Holding factors constant during experimental testing is a method of control, ensuring that the variables being tested are the only factors that can influence the outcome of the experiment. This helps in isolating the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable, thereby increasing the validity of the experiment.

Question 3

Many people mistake "theory" for "guess" or for "unfounded assumption." This is an incorrect portrayal because theories

Accepted Answer

Theories are comprehensive explanations of some aspect of nature that are supported by a vast body of evidence and are derived from empirical research, not mere guesses or assumptions.

Question 4

Which of the following is the best example of an operationalization of the construct of "hunger"?

Accepted Answer

Operationalization involves defining a concept in measurable terms. Option D provides a specific, observable behavior that can be measured, making it the best example of operationalizing "hunger."

Question 5

Dr. Nettles conducts a literature review in the area of cognitive behavioral therapy and then decided to quantitatively combine and integrate multiple research studies on this topic. This technique is called

Accepted Answer

Meta-analysis is the process of statistically combining the results of multiple studies on a specific topic to derive a comprehensive understanding of that topic, which is what Dr. Nettles is doing with studies on cognitive behavioral therapy.

Question 6

If scientific studies are to be of general use, they should be readily reproducible by others in a procedure known as

Accepted Answer

Replication is the process by which scientific studies are repeated by other researchers to verify or challenge the findings of the original study, ensuring their reliability and applicability to broader contexts.

Question 7

Which of the following are important characteristics of scientific research in psychology?

Accepted Answer

All of the above options are important characteristics of scientific research in psychology. Operationalism ensures that abstract concepts are defined in measurable terms, control allows for the isolation of variables to determine cause and effect, and replication ensures that findings are reliable and not due to chance.

Question 8

Even though replication is accepted as an important aspect of the scientific method, few scientists actually do studies that use the exact same procedure of past experiments. Why not?

Accepted Answer

Replications are often seen as less novel and therefore less likely to be published in academic journals, which prioritize new and original research findings over confirmation of existing results. This can discourage scientists from conducting replication studies.

Question 9

Control in an experimental situation involves

Accepted Answer

Control in an experimental situation primarily involves eliminating the influence of extraneous variables to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the variables being studied. This ensures that the results of the experiment can be attributed to the variable being tested, rather than to some other, uncontrolled factors.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the relationship between empirical observation and theory?

Accepted Answer

The relationship between empirical observation and theory is reciprocal. Empirical observations can guide the development of theories (logic of discovery), and theories can guide the direction of future research, which is then empirically tested (logic of justification). This constant interaction enriches both the development of theory and the accumulation of empirical evidence.

Question 11

In order to isolate the cause of a behavior, research psychologists rely primarily on being able to

Accepted Answer

Controlling the environment allows researchers to manipulate variables and observe the effects, helping to isolate the cause of a behavior.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT an operational definition of "memory"?

Accepted Answer

Operational definitions specify how something is measured or manipulated in a study. Choices A, C, and D describe specific, measurable outcomes related to memory. Choice B, however, is a conceptual definition, describing memory in abstract terms rather than specifying how to measure it.

Question 13

Operationalism

Accepted Answer

Operationalism is necessary for researchers to clearly define the terms of their studies, ensuring that constructs are measurable and understandable.

Question 14

Some scientists have criticized the concept of operational definitions as being too strict stating that a single operational definition could not completely define the meaning of a term. What has been proposed to overcome this criticism?

Accepted Answer

Multiple operationalism has been proposed as a solution to the criticism against operational definitions being too strict. It suggests using multiple operational definitions to fully capture the meaning of a term, thereby addressing the concern that a single operational definition might not be comprehensive enough.

Question 15

Which of the characteristics of scientific research indicates the reliability of operational definitions?

Accepted Answer

Replication is a characteristic of scientific research that indicates the reliability of operational definitions because it allows the study to be repeated under the same conditions to see if the same results can be obtained, thereby testing the reliability of the operational definitions used in the research.

Question 16

Although we should be cautious when drawing conclusions from a single study, we can be more confident in the findings of_____ research which involves combining information from multiple studies.

Accepted Answer

Meta-analysis is a research method that involves combining and analyzing data from multiple studies to draw more reliable conclusions.

Question 17

Why do scientists favor operationalizing terms used in their research?

Accepted Answer

Operationalizing terms means defining them in such a way that they can be empirically measured or observed, which minimizes ambiguity and enhances the clarity and replicability of research.

Question 18

Finding a cure for cancer or Autism are being investigated by science. The assumption of science that these cures are potentially knowable is called

Accepted Answer

Discoverability is the assumption that it is possible to find answers or solutions to questions and problems, including finding cures for diseases like cancer or conditions like Autism.

Question 19

Suppose that a student taking research methods proposes to test the hypothesis that "playing violent video games leads men to have negative attitudes toward women." After being asked to operationalize her variables the student proposes the following hypotheses. Which one provides the best operational definitions of her variables?

Accepted Answer

Option C provides the best operational definitions of the variables by specifying the exact video game (Battle Warrior), the duration and frequency of playing (2 hours a day for one week), and the method of measuring attitudes toward women (the Hostility Toward Women scale). This level of detail allows for clear and measurable variables.

Question 20

Theory plays an important role in science. Which of the following is NOT generally seen as a function of theory?

Accepted Answer

Theory in science primarily focuses on summarizing facts, integrating them into a coherent whole, and generating hypotheses, rather than stating a scientist's personal philosophy about the world.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Scientific Research