Question 1

This criterion of a good theory states that it should be practical and help to describe, explain, and predict an important phenomenon. Thus, a good theory must be:

Accepted Answer

The criterion states that a good theory should be practical and useful in describing, explaining, and predicting an important phenomenon. Therefore, the best choice is B, which states that it should be useful. A theory being systematic, deterministic, or testable does not guarantee that it is practical or contributes to the understanding of an important phenomenon.

Question 2

Researchers are using _____ when they start with data and create a theory to explain it; and they are using _____ when they start with a theory and collect data to support or refute that theory.

Accepted Answer

Induction is using data to form a theory or generalization, while deduction is starting with a theory and using data to test it.

Question 3

The goals of science include description, explanation, control, and:

Accepted Answer

In addition to description, explanation, and control, the goal of science is also to make predictions about future events based on the knowledge gained through research and experimentation. Therefore, prediction is the most appropriate option. Option A (expectation) is not a commonly accepted goal of science. Option B (prescription) is not always a goal of science, as it suggests a directive rather than an objective. Option C (confirmation) may be a desired outcome of research but is not a goal of science in and of itself.

Question 4

The approach to science that involves starting with a theory and propositions and then collecting data to test those propositions is:

Accepted Answer

This approach is known as deduction, where one starts with a general theory or hypothesis and then tests it by collecting data and making observations. Deductive reasoning often involves making specific predictions based on the theory or hypothesis and seeing if those predictions are supported by the data.

Question 5

Which of these is the key characteristic of science?

Accepted Answer

Formal and systematic observation is a key characteristic of science, as it allows for consistency and replicability in experiments and studies. The use of laboratories and technological advances may be common in scientific research, but they are not defining characteristics. The assertion that science is performed only by professors is inaccurate, as scientific research can be conducted by anyone with the appropriate training and resources.

Question 6

Sofia has heard about a theory that suggests that when people are in a group they tend to put forth less effort than when they work alone. She decides to collect some data to see if they support this theory. Sofia is using:

Accepted Answer

Sofia is collecting data through empirical observation to see if it supports or refutes a theory. This process of drawing a conclusion based on specific observations is known as induction.

Question 7

The goal of science that involves the accurate portrayal of a certain phenomenon is known as:

Accepted Answer

The goal of science that involves the accurate portrayal of a certain phenomenon is known as description, which often involves gathering data through observations and measurements to create a clear and detailed picture of the phenomenon being studied. Control involves manipulating variables to test hypotheses and evaluate cause-and-effect relationships. Explanation involves providing a theoretical framework that accounts for the phenomenon being studied. Evaluation involves making judgments about the effectiveness or value of a particular intervention or program.

Question 8

Jill develops the theory that students learn better from lectures than from reading. Sam believes that this theory is not very good because it is unclear what Jill means by "better." In other words, Jill's theory lacks:

Accepted Answer

Jill's theory lacks precision because she does not define what she means by "better." This could include various factors such as retention, understanding, or exam performance, and without a clear definition, the theory is not precise.

Question 9

Professor Fisk has developed a theory that contains statements that are verifiable by experimentation. The professor's theory has met the criterion for a "good" theory that is known as:

Accepted Answer

Testability is the criterion that refers to the ability to test or verify a theory through experiment or observation. If a theory cannot be tested, it cannot be falsified or supported, which makes it less valuable scientifically. Therefore, Professor Fisk's theory meets this criterion and can be considered a "good" theory.

Question 10

A scientist who believes that behavior is orderly and systematic and does not happen by chance holds the basic assumption of science known as:

Accepted Answer

Determinism is the basic assumption in science that behavior is orderly and systematic and does not occur randomly or by chance. This assumption suggests that behavior is the result of a set of underlying rules or laws, which can be discovered through scientific research. Empiricism is another basic assumption of science, which holds that knowledge is acquired through direct observation and experimentation. Descriptivism refers to the practice of describing behavior and phenomena in a detailed and accurate manner. Discoverability is not a commonly used term in the context of basic assumptions in science.

Question 11

Professor Sandhurst collects data from employees before developing a theory of job satisfaction. This approach is known as:

Accepted Answer

Induction is a research approach in which data is collected before developing a theory. In this case, Professor Sandhurst is collecting data from employees before theorizing about job satisfaction, making the approach inductive. Reduction refers to breaking down a larger system into smaller parts to understand it better, deduction involves starting with a theory and testing it through observation, and postduction involves making conclusions based on hindsight.

Question 12

The scientific philosopher Karl Popper stated that science is really about:

Accepted Answer

Popper's idea of falsificationism states that scientific theories cannot be proven true, but they can be falsified by empirical evidence. Therefore, scientific inquiry involves proposing hypotheses and testing them through experimentation or observation in order to rule out alternative explanations until one explanation or theory fits the data.

Question 13

Dr. Le believes that humans behave in orderly ways, and it is possible to detect this orderliness . Dr. Le appears to believe in an assumption of science known as:

Accepted Answer

Dr. Le's belief in the detectability of orderliness in human behavior aligns with the assumption of discoverability in science, which suggests that orderly patterns can be observed and studied through scientific methods. Parsimony refers to the principle of simplicity, precision relates to the accuracy of measurement, and generativity pertains to the ability of scientific theories to generate new hypotheses and explanations.

Question 14

Which of these is a criterion of a good theory?

Accepted Answer

Usefulness is a criterion of a good theory because it measures the theory's ability to explain and predict phenomena.

Question 15

When considering whether to begin scientific research with data or with theory, it is important to know that the approach taken by most distinguished scientists is one that:

Accepted Answer

Most distinguished scientists combine both inductive and deductive processes when conducting scientific research. Inductive reasoning involves making observations and drawing conclusions based on those observations, while deductive reasoning involves starting with a hypothesis or theory and testing it through experimentation or observation. By combining both approaches, scientists can gather data and refine their theories to develop a better understanding of the natural world. Some scientists may lean more heavily towards one approach than the other, but a balanced approach that incorporates both inductive and deductive reasoning is generally considered to be the most effective way to conduct scientific research.

Question 16

Which of these is a goal of science?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

The goal of science that involves the manipulation of antecedent conditions to affect behavior is called:

Accepted Answer

The term "control" refers to the goal of manipulating antecedent conditions to affect behavior in a predictable manner, and is a key aspect of experimental methods in psychology and other sciences. Prediction and explanation are also important goals of science, but they are not specifically focused on manipulating variables to influence behavior. Disconfirmation refers to the process of testing hypotheses by looking for evidence that contradicts them.

Question 18

The goal of science that involves learning about how and why a phenomenon exists is known as:

Accepted Answer

The goal of science is to provide explanation for natural phenomena, to understand how and why they exist. Control refers to the manipulation of variables in an experiment, description refers to the objective and accurate portrayal of a phenomenon, and proving is not always possible in science as it is based on evidence and probabilities rather than absolute certainty.

Question 19

Ting believes that if you die in a dream you will also die in real life. Karen points out that if someone dies in his or her sleep we could never find out what happened in the dream. Thus, there is no way to demonstrate support for Ting's theory. His theory lacks:

Accepted Answer

Ting's theory lacks testability because there is no way to prove or disprove it. It is not possible to ask someone who has died in their sleep if they also died in their dream, and there is no way to verify what happened in the dream of a person who died during their sleep. Therefore, Ting's theory cannot be tested and is not a scientifically valid claim.

Question 20

Professor Sanchez has data from an experiment that indicate that being treated rudely by a boss leads to employees missing work more often. With such data the professor can draw a(n):

Accepted Answer

A causal inference can be drawn from the data because it suggests a cause-and-effect relationship between being treated rudely by a boss and employees missing work more often.

Quiz 2: Research Methods in Io Psychology