PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
PYC3704
Mock Exam 1
Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following case study
A psychologists want to determine the effect of locus of control on productivity in an
information technology company. She divides the personnel into two groups, those
with an internal locus of control and those with an external locus of control. She then
uses job evaluation forms to assess the actual work performance of the personnel in
the two groups.
Question 1
The dependent variable in the study is - - - - -.
1. measured job performance
2. locus of control
3. job evaluation forms
Question 2
The independent variable in the study is - - - - -.
1. job performance
2. locus of control
3. job evaluation forms
Question 3
The study in the example illustrates a - - - - - design.
1. correlational
2. groups
3. combination of a groups and correlational
Question 4
Which of the following are advantages of studying statistical methods in psychology?
(a) It leads to a better understanding of the content of psychological theories.
(b) It helps us to evaluate the ethical claims of researchers.
(c) It helps us to interpret the statistical significance of research results.
(d) It gives insight into the nature of the scientific process.
1. (a) & (c)
2. (c)
3. (c), (b) & (d)
1|Page
, Question 5
Consider the following statement: "That phase of sleep during which brain rhythms
resemble those of an alert person is called paradoxical sleep or rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep". This statement is a - - - - -
1. conclusion based on empirical research
2. operational definition
3. research hypothesis
Question 6
A psychologist studies the effect that age has an attitude towards AIDS. She selects
a sample of subjects divided into three different age groups, 20-30 years, 30-40
years and 40-50 years. The three age groups are:
1. different values of the variable age
2. operationalised definitions of the variable age
3. three different theoretical constructs
Question 7
Which is of the following statements gives the best description of the goal of
psychological research?
1. Logical reasoning based on controlled observation and measurement of human
behaviour
2. Testing theories of human behaviour
3. Finding out what previous investigators have achieved with respect to a research
problem about human behaviour
Question 8
Consider the following statement: "The experience of strong emotion is accompanied
by physiological reactions such as an increase in heart rate". This statement can be
viewed as a research hypothesis because it:
(a) predicts a relationship between variables
(b) makes and empirical prediction
1. (a) and not (b)
2. (a) & (b)
3. (b) and not (a)
Question 9
A sport psychologist hypothesises that children with high levels of motivation will be
more willing to participate in soccer practice sessions (participation) than children
with low levels of motivation. In this study, the hypothesis is best described as
expressing a - - - - -
1. relationship between two variables, ‘high motivation' and ‘low participation’.
2. A relationship between ‘low participation’ and ‘high participation’.
3. rule relating values of ‘motivation' to ‘participation’.
2|Page
PYC3704
Mock Exam 1
Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following case study
A psychologists want to determine the effect of locus of control on productivity in an
information technology company. She divides the personnel into two groups, those
with an internal locus of control and those with an external locus of control. She then
uses job evaluation forms to assess the actual work performance of the personnel in
the two groups.
Question 1
The dependent variable in the study is - - - - -.
1. measured job performance
2. locus of control
3. job evaluation forms
Question 2
The independent variable in the study is - - - - -.
1. job performance
2. locus of control
3. job evaluation forms
Question 3
The study in the example illustrates a - - - - - design.
1. correlational
2. groups
3. combination of a groups and correlational
Question 4
Which of the following are advantages of studying statistical methods in psychology?
(a) It leads to a better understanding of the content of psychological theories.
(b) It helps us to evaluate the ethical claims of researchers.
(c) It helps us to interpret the statistical significance of research results.
(d) It gives insight into the nature of the scientific process.
1. (a) & (c)
2. (c)
3. (c), (b) & (d)
1|Page
, Question 5
Consider the following statement: "That phase of sleep during which brain rhythms
resemble those of an alert person is called paradoxical sleep or rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep". This statement is a - - - - -
1. conclusion based on empirical research
2. operational definition
3. research hypothesis
Question 6
A psychologist studies the effect that age has an attitude towards AIDS. She selects
a sample of subjects divided into three different age groups, 20-30 years, 30-40
years and 40-50 years. The three age groups are:
1. different values of the variable age
2. operationalised definitions of the variable age
3. three different theoretical constructs
Question 7
Which is of the following statements gives the best description of the goal of
psychological research?
1. Logical reasoning based on controlled observation and measurement of human
behaviour
2. Testing theories of human behaviour
3. Finding out what previous investigators have achieved with respect to a research
problem about human behaviour
Question 8
Consider the following statement: "The experience of strong emotion is accompanied
by physiological reactions such as an increase in heart rate". This statement can be
viewed as a research hypothesis because it:
(a) predicts a relationship between variables
(b) makes and empirical prediction
1. (a) and not (b)
2. (a) & (b)
3. (b) and not (a)
Question 9
A sport psychologist hypothesises that children with high levels of motivation will be
more willing to participate in soccer practice sessions (participation) than children
with low levels of motivation. In this study, the hypothesis is best described as
expressing a - - - - -
1. relationship between two variables, ‘high motivation' and ‘low participation’.
2. A relationship between ‘low participation’ and ‘high participation’.
3. rule relating values of ‘motivation' to ‘participation’.
2|Page
