The Scientific Method and Descriptive Research Methods// Chapter 1

Which statement is MOST accurate?

Correlation does not mean causation

A person who engages in _____ does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Instead, she or he analyzes assumptions, looks into hidden values, and tries to determine if whether the conclusions are warranted.

Critical thinking

Naturalistic observation is a form of _____ research that involves studying participants in their natural environment using systematic observation.

Descriptive

_____ uses study methods to describe and explore behaviors, although the findings cannot definitively state cause-and-effect relationships.

Descriptive research

In a study designed to measure whether number of hours of sleep significantly predicts higher test scores, researchers vary the number of hours of sleep that subjects get per night. This method of manipulating one variable to measure change in a second variable is part of the _____ method.

Experimental

A _____ predicts a specific set of circumstances based on researchers' expectations.

Hypothesis

A large pharmaceutical company writes a research protocol based on its belief that the new medication called Drug R may be useful in treating anxiety. It predicts that Drug R should lower symptoms of anxiety. This prediction is a(n):

Hypothesis

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of utilizing naturalistic observation as a way of gathering data?

Naturalistic observation allows researchers to manipulate variables in order to measure the change due to this manipulation.

According to the scientific method, a good _____ helps others understand how to perform an observation or take a measurement.

Operational definition

Psychologists persistently ask, "What evidence supports this claim?" because they approach the world of behavior with a healthy sense of:

Skepticism

One of the requirements in your introductory psychology course is for you and a partner to design and conduct a research study. You have decided to use a survey method. What should you keep in mind as you design your study?

The order or wording of questions is critically important, as is choosing a random sample.

Which qualities would researchers in psychology ascribe to "good" theories?

They should organize observations and imply clear, testable predictions.

Stacey believes that because children are generally more impulsive than adults, they will be more likely than adults to scream when frustrated by a researcher in a laboratory setting. Stacey's prediction regarding anger management is an example of:

a hypothesis

Fiona wants to test her prediction, also known as a _____, that "lack of sleep increases the likelihood of lower test scores for college students."

hyposthesis

Quinn wants to test his prediction, also known as a _____, that "the more practice tests one takes the better they will do on the graded exams."

hypothesis

As a psychologist, Dr. Montero is guided by the two assumptions—that events are:

lawful and explainable

College students at 20 campuses around the country were polled to determine how many students own MP3 players. This group of students represents a:

sample

One of the ways in which pseudosciences support their claims of success involve:

testimonials

A psychologist wants to conduct a study with findings that are representative of the population of interest. Which research method runs the greatest risk that its findings may be unrepresentative of what is generally true?

the case study

Which statement BEST describes an operational definition?

the precise manner in which a variable of interest is defined and measured

_____ is a set of assumptions, attitudes, and procedures that guide researchers in creating questions to investigate, in generating evidence, and in drawing conclusions.

the scientific method

With surveys, the _____ can have a substantial impact on the results.

wording of questions