UF APK 4050 EXAM 1 – RESEARCH METHODS STUDY GUIDE, EXAM REVIEW &
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 2026/2027
Name different terms used for research methods - correct answer ✔✔rules
problem solving steps
procedures
plans for action
guidelines for conducting a study
structured problem solving
The primary focus of research methods is to: - correct answer ✔✔Identify a problem
Generate 1 or 2 hypotheses
Develop appropriate methods
Collect, analyze and interpret data
Discuss findings in relation to relevant literature
5 characteristics of scientific problem solving - correct answer ✔✔1. (c)onfirmation
2. (o)bservation (controlled)
3. (s)tatistical analysis and generalization
4. (v)erification
5. (d)efinition
Why do we seek causal explanations? - correct answer ✔✔to intervene
govern the cause
govern the effect
Once you know the common types of research conducted in your area, what three questions should you
ask yourself? - correct answer ✔✔-should traditional research methods in area be perpetuated?
-is there a better way to generate a knowledge base while contributing to science?
-will the science in your area thrive in this decade or will it just survive?
Why publish in refereed journals? - correct answer ✔✔To disseminate knowledge
What are the 2 rating systems for determining journal's impact on science and social sciences? - correct
answer ✔✔ISI Journal Citation reports (JCR) & Harzing's H-index
What are 3 characteristics of successful students? - correct answer ✔✔-(s)ense of humor
-(o)pen mind
-(g)enuine interest in science
What are 4 criteria used to evaluate research proposals? - correct answer ✔✔-scientific quality
-logical organization
-experimental design
-writing clarity
What are the 4 structural pillars of research methods? - correct answer ✔✔-science
, -experimental design
-variability
-statistics
What are the 4 types of causal relationships? - correct answer ✔✔-necessary and sufficient
-necessary but not sufficient
-sufficient but not necessary
-contributory
What is experimental design? - correct answer ✔✔The plan or set of rules, or structure for conducting
research. With the overall goal of reducing or controlling variability.
What are Polya's 4 steps to solving problems? - correct answer ✔✔1. (understand) the problem
2. (look) for a connection between the data and the unknown
3. (carry) out the plan
4. (review) your solution
What's a true experiment? - correct answer ✔✔Research that uses an IV and a DV to examine a
relationship.
Manipulating and controlling IV in a systematic manner while observing the effect on dependent
variable(s).
What is the difference b/w Descriptive statistics vs Inferential statistics? - correct answer ✔✔Descriptive:
describe samples of populations and estimate parameters
Inferential: draw inferences about characteristics and magnitude of parameters.
Inferential statistics help scientists understand variability by going from SPECIFIC & KNOWN to GENERAL
& UNKNOWN
The proper statistics can ________ a well-designed experiment, but statistics can't _________ a poorly
designed experiment. - correct answer ✔✔-enhance
-salvage
How is a true experiment structured and conducted? - correct answer ✔✔So that all of the variation in
the dependent variable is a function of the independent variable manipulation
Variability of dependent measures arise from what two sources? - correct answer ✔✔1. independent
variable manipulation
2. error
What is the primary reason for studying interactions? - correct answer ✔✔to allow simultaneous
assessment of at least 2 IV
The pattern of change is different depending on which direction the rate is going (increasing or
decreasing) is the definition of what? - correct answer ✔✔Hysteresis
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 2026/2027
Name different terms used for research methods - correct answer ✔✔rules
problem solving steps
procedures
plans for action
guidelines for conducting a study
structured problem solving
The primary focus of research methods is to: - correct answer ✔✔Identify a problem
Generate 1 or 2 hypotheses
Develop appropriate methods
Collect, analyze and interpret data
Discuss findings in relation to relevant literature
5 characteristics of scientific problem solving - correct answer ✔✔1. (c)onfirmation
2. (o)bservation (controlled)
3. (s)tatistical analysis and generalization
4. (v)erification
5. (d)efinition
Why do we seek causal explanations? - correct answer ✔✔to intervene
govern the cause
govern the effect
Once you know the common types of research conducted in your area, what three questions should you
ask yourself? - correct answer ✔✔-should traditional research methods in area be perpetuated?
-is there a better way to generate a knowledge base while contributing to science?
-will the science in your area thrive in this decade or will it just survive?
Why publish in refereed journals? - correct answer ✔✔To disseminate knowledge
What are the 2 rating systems for determining journal's impact on science and social sciences? - correct
answer ✔✔ISI Journal Citation reports (JCR) & Harzing's H-index
What are 3 characteristics of successful students? - correct answer ✔✔-(s)ense of humor
-(o)pen mind
-(g)enuine interest in science
What are 4 criteria used to evaluate research proposals? - correct answer ✔✔-scientific quality
-logical organization
-experimental design
-writing clarity
What are the 4 structural pillars of research methods? - correct answer ✔✔-science
, -experimental design
-variability
-statistics
What are the 4 types of causal relationships? - correct answer ✔✔-necessary and sufficient
-necessary but not sufficient
-sufficient but not necessary
-contributory
What is experimental design? - correct answer ✔✔The plan or set of rules, or structure for conducting
research. With the overall goal of reducing or controlling variability.
What are Polya's 4 steps to solving problems? - correct answer ✔✔1. (understand) the problem
2. (look) for a connection between the data and the unknown
3. (carry) out the plan
4. (review) your solution
What's a true experiment? - correct answer ✔✔Research that uses an IV and a DV to examine a
relationship.
Manipulating and controlling IV in a systematic manner while observing the effect on dependent
variable(s).
What is the difference b/w Descriptive statistics vs Inferential statistics? - correct answer ✔✔Descriptive:
describe samples of populations and estimate parameters
Inferential: draw inferences about characteristics and magnitude of parameters.
Inferential statistics help scientists understand variability by going from SPECIFIC & KNOWN to GENERAL
& UNKNOWN
The proper statistics can ________ a well-designed experiment, but statistics can't _________ a poorly
designed experiment. - correct answer ✔✔-enhance
-salvage
How is a true experiment structured and conducted? - correct answer ✔✔So that all of the variation in
the dependent variable is a function of the independent variable manipulation
Variability of dependent measures arise from what two sources? - correct answer ✔✔1. independent
variable manipulation
2. error
What is the primary reason for studying interactions? - correct answer ✔✔to allow simultaneous
assessment of at least 2 IV
The pattern of change is different depending on which direction the rate is going (increasing or
decreasing) is the definition of what? - correct answer ✔✔Hysteresis
