PSC 041 FINAL EXAM UC DAVIS |
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS AND
STUDY GUIDE
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Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
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,Alternative explanation An explanation for a result that is not accounted for in a study.
Applied research Research designed to help solve practical problems in a given field.
Association (correlation; relationship) A covariance between or among variables such that a change in one variable coincides
with or predicts a change in another variable.
Associative relationship The type of relationship between variables in which the predictor variable is used to
estimate or forecast (i.e., predict) the outcome variable.
Basic research Research designed to contribute to the body of knowledge about a topic. Basic research
may or may not have an obvious application.
Causation A subcategory of association. In causation, one variable directly affects the other such
that changes in one variable lead to or bring about (i.e., cause) changes in the other
variable.
Claim A statement, assertion, or conclusion arrived at after careful examination of a research
question; it generalizes the results of a study to the larger population and other
situations.
Conceptual replication (systematic replication) A study in which the same hypothesis as the original study is tested using different
methods.
Dependent variable The variable in a causal relationship that is hypothesized to be influenced by the
independent variable.
Direct replication (exact replication; literal replication) Repeating a study by following the same procedures with a different group of study
participants.
Falsifiable Capable of being proven wrong or incorrect.
Hypothesis An expected outcome of the research study; it predicts the answer to the research
question.
, Independent variable The variable in a causal relationship that is hypothesized to influence the dependent
variable; sometimes called the treatment variable. In experimental research, the
independent variable is manipulated.
Outcome variable The variable that expresses the result of an association.
Predictor variable The variable in an association that is used to estimate or forecast a result or outcome.
Replication Repeating a study that has already been completed.
Replication with extension Replicating the original study and extending the findings by adding new variables to
answer additional questions.
Research question A testable question about one or more specific variables, asking about what is true now
or what will happen in the future. A good research question clearly indicates the type of
relationship and variables of interest, is specific enough for a single study, can be
translated into a testable hypothesis, and is worth answering.
Results A summary of findings or outcomes from collecting and analyzing data in a research
study.
Value A measure of a variable, such as the number, amount, or degree of that variable.
Variable A condition or characteristic that is subject to change (i.e., capable of taking on different
levels, categories, or values).
Animal Welfare Act of 1966 Regulates all nonhuman animal care in the United States.
APA Ethics Code Provides 5 general principles and 10 standards to guide the roles and work of
psychology with the goal of upholding human and animal rights.
APA Ethical Principles General principles that serve as big picture goals to guide ethical conduct for
psychologists. The APA Ethical Principles include: beneficence and nonmaleficence,
fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect for people's rights and dignity.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS AND
STUDY GUIDE
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,Alternative explanation An explanation for a result that is not accounted for in a study.
Applied research Research designed to help solve practical problems in a given field.
Association (correlation; relationship) A covariance between or among variables such that a change in one variable coincides
with or predicts a change in another variable.
Associative relationship The type of relationship between variables in which the predictor variable is used to
estimate or forecast (i.e., predict) the outcome variable.
Basic research Research designed to contribute to the body of knowledge about a topic. Basic research
may or may not have an obvious application.
Causation A subcategory of association. In causation, one variable directly affects the other such
that changes in one variable lead to or bring about (i.e., cause) changes in the other
variable.
Claim A statement, assertion, or conclusion arrived at after careful examination of a research
question; it generalizes the results of a study to the larger population and other
situations.
Conceptual replication (systematic replication) A study in which the same hypothesis as the original study is tested using different
methods.
Dependent variable The variable in a causal relationship that is hypothesized to be influenced by the
independent variable.
Direct replication (exact replication; literal replication) Repeating a study by following the same procedures with a different group of study
participants.
Falsifiable Capable of being proven wrong or incorrect.
Hypothesis An expected outcome of the research study; it predicts the answer to the research
question.
, Independent variable The variable in a causal relationship that is hypothesized to influence the dependent
variable; sometimes called the treatment variable. In experimental research, the
independent variable is manipulated.
Outcome variable The variable that expresses the result of an association.
Predictor variable The variable in an association that is used to estimate or forecast a result or outcome.
Replication Repeating a study that has already been completed.
Replication with extension Replicating the original study and extending the findings by adding new variables to
answer additional questions.
Research question A testable question about one or more specific variables, asking about what is true now
or what will happen in the future. A good research question clearly indicates the type of
relationship and variables of interest, is specific enough for a single study, can be
translated into a testable hypothesis, and is worth answering.
Results A summary of findings or outcomes from collecting and analyzing data in a research
study.
Value A measure of a variable, such as the number, amount, or degree of that variable.
Variable A condition or characteristic that is subject to change (i.e., capable of taking on different
levels, categories, or values).
Animal Welfare Act of 1966 Regulates all nonhuman animal care in the United States.
APA Ethics Code Provides 5 general principles and 10 standards to guide the roles and work of
psychology with the goal of upholding human and animal rights.
APA Ethical Principles General principles that serve as big picture goals to guide ethical conduct for
psychologists. The APA Ethical Principles include: beneficence and nonmaleficence,
fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect for people's rights and dignity.
