1
Psychology Research (PYC 3704)
Feedback on previous examination papers (2011 – 2014)
PYC 3704 - May/June 2011 – Previous examination paper
Question Correct answers and explanations
1 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 4).Proposed (tentative), variables or constructs have not been
proven yet. Option 2 - Hypothesis is an intelligent guess that may or may not be based on facts.
2 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 4).Theories are informed by facts which are tested based on the
scientific body of knowledge we have about our topic or subject, in this case, acute stress
disorder. Option 1 -Hypothesis is an intelligent guess that may or may not be based on
facts.Option 3 –No constructs have been presented in this statement, but later in the following
premises.
3 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 8).Dependent – effect – level of anxiety experienced (after
psychotherapy). Independent – cause – whether or not psychotherapy is received.
4 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 60).Our focus will be mainly to prove whether psychotherapy
improves the quality of lives of our participants. Although we do acknowledge the importance of
anxiety proneness and the nature of stressor, these factors will not be important when we report
our findings whether it was the psychotherapy which lowered or failed to decrease the level of
anxiety. Thus, we cancel them out because we are mainly interested on the effects of the
psychotherapy, and not external variables.
5 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 21, 24 – Q8). Latent – hidden.
6 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 1-2).Option 1 and 2 are partially true, we do not only collect and
diagnose disorders; we also develop new knowledge by empirically testing theories.
7 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 1).
8 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 8). Dependent variable – motor performance. Independent
variable – amount of alcohol consumed.
9 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 21, 24 – Q8).
10 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 8).
11 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 22, 24 – Q10).Option 2 –Constant values do not change (the
scenario refers to degrees of arousal). Option 3 – Correlation coefficient needs two variables and
one group. Compare with Q25.
12 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 23, 25 –Q18, 75).Option 2 and 3 are not correct because the
author did not state in which direction the relationship will follow. Thus we will test for a two-
tailed t-score.
13 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 63, 66 – Q5).Option 1 – 0, 99 Option 2 – 0, 00.
14 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 51-3).Normal distribution models how scores are distributed on a
scale that is 0, 5 (50%) to the left, and 0, 5 (50 %) to the right, thus equal to 100%.
15 Option 2is the most correct (pg 55).
Joseph’s history z-score Josephs biology class
60 - = - 0, 50 50 – = - 0, 25
-0, 50 is closest to –00, 1 – Joseph thus did better in his history test
16 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 29).
7000 students passed from 100% to 50% (including the 300 got exactly 50%) = 10 000 – 7000 =
Psychology Research (PYC 3704)
Feedback on previous examination papers (2011 – 2014)
PYC 3704 - May/June 2011 – Previous examination paper
Question Correct answers and explanations
1 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 4).Proposed (tentative), variables or constructs have not been
proven yet. Option 2 - Hypothesis is an intelligent guess that may or may not be based on facts.
2 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 4).Theories are informed by facts which are tested based on the
scientific body of knowledge we have about our topic or subject, in this case, acute stress
disorder. Option 1 -Hypothesis is an intelligent guess that may or may not be based on
facts.Option 3 –No constructs have been presented in this statement, but later in the following
premises.
3 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 8).Dependent – effect – level of anxiety experienced (after
psychotherapy). Independent – cause – whether or not psychotherapy is received.
4 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 60).Our focus will be mainly to prove whether psychotherapy
improves the quality of lives of our participants. Although we do acknowledge the importance of
anxiety proneness and the nature of stressor, these factors will not be important when we report
our findings whether it was the psychotherapy which lowered or failed to decrease the level of
anxiety. Thus, we cancel them out because we are mainly interested on the effects of the
psychotherapy, and not external variables.
5 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 21, 24 – Q8). Latent – hidden.
6 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 1-2).Option 1 and 2 are partially true, we do not only collect and
diagnose disorders; we also develop new knowledge by empirically testing theories.
7 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 1).
8 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 8). Dependent variable – motor performance. Independent
variable – amount of alcohol consumed.
9 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 21, 24 – Q8).
10 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 8).
11 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 22, 24 – Q10).Option 2 –Constant values do not change (the
scenario refers to degrees of arousal). Option 3 – Correlation coefficient needs two variables and
one group. Compare with Q25.
12 Option 1 is the most correct (pg 23, 25 –Q18, 75).Option 2 and 3 are not correct because the
author did not state in which direction the relationship will follow. Thus we will test for a two-
tailed t-score.
13 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 63, 66 – Q5).Option 1 – 0, 99 Option 2 – 0, 00.
14 Option 2 is the most correct (pg 51-3).Normal distribution models how scores are distributed on a
scale that is 0, 5 (50%) to the left, and 0, 5 (50 %) to the right, thus equal to 100%.
15 Option 2is the most correct (pg 55).
Joseph’s history z-score Josephs biology class
60 - = - 0, 50 50 – = - 0, 25
-0, 50 is closest to –00, 1 – Joseph thus did better in his history test
16 Option 3 is the most correct (pg 29).
7000 students passed from 100% to 50% (including the 300 got exactly 50%) = 10 000 – 7000 =
