PSYC 255: Introduction to Research
Final Exam with correct answers and
rationale graded A+ new!!
1. What is the primary goal of the scientific method?
a) To prove a hypothesis is correct.
b) To discover absolute truth.
c) To obtain objective knowledge through systematic observation.
d) To win arguments with other scientists.
Answer: c) To obtain objective knowledge through systematic observation.
Rationale: The scientific method is a structured process of inquiry designed to minimize bias and
produce reliable, objective knowledge about the world.
2. A researcher believes that drinking coffee improves memory. This is an example of a:
a) Theory
b) Hypothesis
c) Law
d) Fact
Answer: b) Hypothesis
Rationale: A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction derived from a theory. "Drinking coffee
improves memory" is a testable prediction.
3. Which of the following is NOT one of the four main goals of psychological research?
a) Description
b) Prediction
c) Prescription
d) Explanation
Answer: c) Prescription
Rationale: The four main goals are to describe, predict, explain, and control (or influence) behavior.
"Prescription" is not a standard goal.
4. A researcher wants to know if there is a relationship between the amount of time spent on
social media and feelings of loneliness. This is an example of which research goal?
a) Description
b) Prediction
c) Explanation
d) Control
Answer: b) Prediction
Rationale: The goal of prediction is to identify which variables are related to one another, allowing
one variable to be predicted from another.
5. The belief that one's own culture is superior to others and using it as a standard to judge other
cultures is called:
,a) Cultural relativism
b) Ethnocentrism
c) Multiculturalism
d) Xenophobia
Answer: b) Ethnocentrism
Rationale: Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as the norm and judge other
cultures against it.
6. A researcher studying the effect of a new teaching method on test scores is using a(n) ________
approach.
a) Qualitative
b) Quantitative
c) Theoretical
d) Anecdotal
Answer: b) Quantitative
Rationale: This research involves measuring numerical data (test scores) to test a hypothesis, which
is characteristic of a quantitative approach.
7. Which section of a research article provides a concise summary of the study's purpose,
methods, results, and conclusions?
a) Introduction
b) Method
c) Results
d) Abstract
Answer: d) Abstract
Rationale: The abstract is a brief summary that appears at the beginning of a research article.
8. In a research article, the hypothesis and a review of previous literature are typically found in
the:
a) Abstract
b) Introduction
c) Discussion
d) Method
Answer: b) Introduction
Rationale: The introduction sets the stage for the study by reviewing past research and stating the
current study's hypotheses.
9. The principle of ________ requires that research participants be given enough information to
make a voluntary decision about whether to participate.
a) Beneficence
b) Justice
c) Informed consent
d) Debriefing
Answer: c) Informed consent
Rationale: Informed consent is the ethical principle requiring researchers to inform potential
participants about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits.
10. After a study involving deception, researchers must ________ participants by explaining the
true purpose of the study and removing any misconceptions.
a) Deceive
, b) Debrief
c) Compensate
d) Anonymize
Answer: b) Debrief
Rationale: Debriefing is the post-experimental explanation of the study's true purpose, especially
necessary when deception has been used.
11. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report focuses on maximizing benefits and
minimizing harms?
a) Respect for Persons
b) Beneficence
c) Justice
d) Integrity
Answer: b) Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical obligation to maximize possible benefits and minimize possible
harms.
12. A researcher falsifies data to support their hypothesis. This is an example of:
a) A minor error
b) Scientific misconduct
c) Plagiarism
d) A conflict of interest
Answer: b) Scientific misconduct
Rationale: Fabrication or falsification of data is a serious form of scientific misconduct.
13. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is responsible for:
a) Funding research projects.
b) Publishing research articles.
c) Reviewing research proposals to protect human subjects.
d) Conducting research studies.
Answer: c) Reviewing research proposals to protect human subjects.
Rationale: The IRB's primary role is to ensure that research involving human participants is
conducted ethically and in compliance with regulations.
14. What is the definition of a variable?
a) A constant value in an experiment.
b) Any characteristic or attribute that can vary.
c) The outcome of an experiment.
d) A research question.
Answer: b) Any characteristic or attribute that can vary.
Rationale: A variable is any entity that can take on different values (e.g., height, temperature,
anxiety level).
15. In the hypothesis "Caffeine improves reaction time," what is the independent variable?
a) Reaction time
b) Caffeine
c) The participants
d) The improvement
Answer: b) Caffeine
Final Exam with correct answers and
rationale graded A+ new!!
1. What is the primary goal of the scientific method?
a) To prove a hypothesis is correct.
b) To discover absolute truth.
c) To obtain objective knowledge through systematic observation.
d) To win arguments with other scientists.
Answer: c) To obtain objective knowledge through systematic observation.
Rationale: The scientific method is a structured process of inquiry designed to minimize bias and
produce reliable, objective knowledge about the world.
2. A researcher believes that drinking coffee improves memory. This is an example of a:
a) Theory
b) Hypothesis
c) Law
d) Fact
Answer: b) Hypothesis
Rationale: A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction derived from a theory. "Drinking coffee
improves memory" is a testable prediction.
3. Which of the following is NOT one of the four main goals of psychological research?
a) Description
b) Prediction
c) Prescription
d) Explanation
Answer: c) Prescription
Rationale: The four main goals are to describe, predict, explain, and control (or influence) behavior.
"Prescription" is not a standard goal.
4. A researcher wants to know if there is a relationship between the amount of time spent on
social media and feelings of loneliness. This is an example of which research goal?
a) Description
b) Prediction
c) Explanation
d) Control
Answer: b) Prediction
Rationale: The goal of prediction is to identify which variables are related to one another, allowing
one variable to be predicted from another.
5. The belief that one's own culture is superior to others and using it as a standard to judge other
cultures is called:
,a) Cultural relativism
b) Ethnocentrism
c) Multiculturalism
d) Xenophobia
Answer: b) Ethnocentrism
Rationale: Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as the norm and judge other
cultures against it.
6. A researcher studying the effect of a new teaching method on test scores is using a(n) ________
approach.
a) Qualitative
b) Quantitative
c) Theoretical
d) Anecdotal
Answer: b) Quantitative
Rationale: This research involves measuring numerical data (test scores) to test a hypothesis, which
is characteristic of a quantitative approach.
7. Which section of a research article provides a concise summary of the study's purpose,
methods, results, and conclusions?
a) Introduction
b) Method
c) Results
d) Abstract
Answer: d) Abstract
Rationale: The abstract is a brief summary that appears at the beginning of a research article.
8. In a research article, the hypothesis and a review of previous literature are typically found in
the:
a) Abstract
b) Introduction
c) Discussion
d) Method
Answer: b) Introduction
Rationale: The introduction sets the stage for the study by reviewing past research and stating the
current study's hypotheses.
9. The principle of ________ requires that research participants be given enough information to
make a voluntary decision about whether to participate.
a) Beneficence
b) Justice
c) Informed consent
d) Debriefing
Answer: c) Informed consent
Rationale: Informed consent is the ethical principle requiring researchers to inform potential
participants about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits.
10. After a study involving deception, researchers must ________ participants by explaining the
true purpose of the study and removing any misconceptions.
a) Deceive
, b) Debrief
c) Compensate
d) Anonymize
Answer: b) Debrief
Rationale: Debriefing is the post-experimental explanation of the study's true purpose, especially
necessary when deception has been used.
11. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report focuses on maximizing benefits and
minimizing harms?
a) Respect for Persons
b) Beneficence
c) Justice
d) Integrity
Answer: b) Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical obligation to maximize possible benefits and minimize possible
harms.
12. A researcher falsifies data to support their hypothesis. This is an example of:
a) A minor error
b) Scientific misconduct
c) Plagiarism
d) A conflict of interest
Answer: b) Scientific misconduct
Rationale: Fabrication or falsification of data is a serious form of scientific misconduct.
13. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is responsible for:
a) Funding research projects.
b) Publishing research articles.
c) Reviewing research proposals to protect human subjects.
d) Conducting research studies.
Answer: c) Reviewing research proposals to protect human subjects.
Rationale: The IRB's primary role is to ensure that research involving human participants is
conducted ethically and in compliance with regulations.
14. What is the definition of a variable?
a) A constant value in an experiment.
b) Any characteristic or attribute that can vary.
c) The outcome of an experiment.
d) A research question.
Answer: b) Any characteristic or attribute that can vary.
Rationale: A variable is any entity that can take on different values (e.g., height, temperature,
anxiety level).
15. In the hypothesis "Caffeine improves reaction time," what is the independent variable?
a) Reaction time
b) Caffeine
c) The participants
d) The improvement
Answer: b) Caffeine
