PSY 1101 - CHAPTER 2 (METHODS) EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027
Psychology as a Science - Answers The use of experience-driven and systematic methods to understand
behavior.
Scientific Method - Answers A structured process used by researchers to answer questions and study
behavior scientifically.
Identify the Problem - Answers The first step of the scientific method where a researcher defines a
question based on observation, theory, prior research, or intuition.
Gather Information - Answers Reviewing existing research and theories related to the identified
problem.
Hypothesis - Answers An educated prediction about the outcome of a study or experiment.
Develop a Hypothesis - Answers Creating a testable prediction based on existing evidence and research.
Experiment - Answers A controlled method used to test a hypothesis by manipulating variables and
measuring outcomes.
Design and Conduct an Experiment - Answers The step where researchers plan a study and collect data
to test the hypothesis.
Experimental Group - Answers The group that receives the treatment or condition being tested (e.g.,
course credit).
Control Group - Answers The group that does not receive the treatment or condition being tested.
Independent Variable - Answers The factor that is manipulated by the researcher (e.g., giving course
credit).
Dependent Variable - Answers The factor that is measured to assess the outcome (e.g., quiz
performance or preparation).
Analyze Data - Answers Examining results to determine whether the hypothesis is supported.
Conclusions - Answers Interpretations made based on the data collected in an experiment.
Support for a Hypothesis - Answers When results align with the researcher's prediction.
Limitation of Conclusions - Answers Findings do not prove a hypothesis true in an absolute sense and
may be challenged by new evidence.
Restart the Process - Answers The final step where researchers replicate, extend, or modify the study.
Replication - Answers Repeating a study to determine if the same results occur again.
Replication with Extension - Answers Repeating a study with changes to test new variables or contexts.
Programmatic Research - Answers A series of related studies focused on a single research question or
topic.
, Incentive - Answers A reward (such as course credit) used to motivate behavior.
Overall Goal of the Scientific Method - Answers To develop evidence-based explanations of behavior.
Descriptive Methods - Answers Research methods used to capture, record, and describe behavior
without explaining why it occurs.
Descriptive Research - Answers Research focused on identifying 'what is' rather than determining cause-
and-effect relationships.
Non-Experimental Research - Answers Research that does not involve manipulating variables.
Four Descriptive Methods - Answers Naturalistic observation, participant observation, case studies, and
surveys.
Naturalistic Observation - Answers Observing behavior as it occurs in a natural environment without
manipulation or control.
Observational Research (Field Research) - Answers A non-experimental method that involves observing
behavior in real-world settings.
Key Feature of Naturalistic Observation - Answers No attempt is made to manipulate or control the
environment.
Naturalistic Observation vs. Field Experiments - Answers Naturalistic observation involves no
manipulation, while field experiments do manipulate conditions.
Qualitative Observation - Answers Descriptive data collected through notes, opinions, or general
observations.
Quantitative Observation - Answers Data collected by measuring or counting specific behaviors.
Example of Quantitative Observation - Answers Counting how many people return a dropped wallet.
Example of Qualitative Observation - Answers Noting facial expressions or verbal reactions to a dropped
wallet.
Strength of Naturalistic Observation - Answers Helps generate new ideas and hypotheses about
behavior.
Limitation of Naturalistic Observation - Answers Cannot determine cause-and-effect relationships.
Operational Definition - Answers A clear, specific description of a behavior that can be observed and
measured.
Countable Behavior - Answers An observable action that can be measured or tallied (e.g., frowning,
returning a wallet).
Hypothesis in Observational Research - Answers A prediction about behavior that can be tested through
observation.
Social Context - Answers The presence of other people that may influence behavior.
2026/2027
Psychology as a Science - Answers The use of experience-driven and systematic methods to understand
behavior.
Scientific Method - Answers A structured process used by researchers to answer questions and study
behavior scientifically.
Identify the Problem - Answers The first step of the scientific method where a researcher defines a
question based on observation, theory, prior research, or intuition.
Gather Information - Answers Reviewing existing research and theories related to the identified
problem.
Hypothesis - Answers An educated prediction about the outcome of a study or experiment.
Develop a Hypothesis - Answers Creating a testable prediction based on existing evidence and research.
Experiment - Answers A controlled method used to test a hypothesis by manipulating variables and
measuring outcomes.
Design and Conduct an Experiment - Answers The step where researchers plan a study and collect data
to test the hypothesis.
Experimental Group - Answers The group that receives the treatment or condition being tested (e.g.,
course credit).
Control Group - Answers The group that does not receive the treatment or condition being tested.
Independent Variable - Answers The factor that is manipulated by the researcher (e.g., giving course
credit).
Dependent Variable - Answers The factor that is measured to assess the outcome (e.g., quiz
performance or preparation).
Analyze Data - Answers Examining results to determine whether the hypothesis is supported.
Conclusions - Answers Interpretations made based on the data collected in an experiment.
Support for a Hypothesis - Answers When results align with the researcher's prediction.
Limitation of Conclusions - Answers Findings do not prove a hypothesis true in an absolute sense and
may be challenged by new evidence.
Restart the Process - Answers The final step where researchers replicate, extend, or modify the study.
Replication - Answers Repeating a study to determine if the same results occur again.
Replication with Extension - Answers Repeating a study with changes to test new variables or contexts.
Programmatic Research - Answers A series of related studies focused on a single research question or
topic.
, Incentive - Answers A reward (such as course credit) used to motivate behavior.
Overall Goal of the Scientific Method - Answers To develop evidence-based explanations of behavior.
Descriptive Methods - Answers Research methods used to capture, record, and describe behavior
without explaining why it occurs.
Descriptive Research - Answers Research focused on identifying 'what is' rather than determining cause-
and-effect relationships.
Non-Experimental Research - Answers Research that does not involve manipulating variables.
Four Descriptive Methods - Answers Naturalistic observation, participant observation, case studies, and
surveys.
Naturalistic Observation - Answers Observing behavior as it occurs in a natural environment without
manipulation or control.
Observational Research (Field Research) - Answers A non-experimental method that involves observing
behavior in real-world settings.
Key Feature of Naturalistic Observation - Answers No attempt is made to manipulate or control the
environment.
Naturalistic Observation vs. Field Experiments - Answers Naturalistic observation involves no
manipulation, while field experiments do manipulate conditions.
Qualitative Observation - Answers Descriptive data collected through notes, opinions, or general
observations.
Quantitative Observation - Answers Data collected by measuring or counting specific behaviors.
Example of Quantitative Observation - Answers Counting how many people return a dropped wallet.
Example of Qualitative Observation - Answers Noting facial expressions or verbal reactions to a dropped
wallet.
Strength of Naturalistic Observation - Answers Helps generate new ideas and hypotheses about
behavior.
Limitation of Naturalistic Observation - Answers Cannot determine cause-and-effect relationships.
Operational Definition - Answers A clear, specific description of a behavior that can be observed and
measured.
Countable Behavior - Answers An observable action that can be measured or tallied (e.g., frowning,
returning a wallet).
Hypothesis in Observational Research - Answers A prediction about behavior that can be tested through
observation.
Social Context - Answers The presence of other people that may influence behavior.
