Methods Of Enquiry In Psychology MCQ Quiz Questions And Answers

1.

Which is one of the goals of Psychological inquiry?

A.

Understanding
B.

Observation
C.

Prediction
D.

Achievement

Correct Answer
C. Prediction

Explanation
Psychological inquiry aims to predict human behavior and mental processes based on empirical evidence and theories. By studying patterns and trends, psychologists strive to anticipate how individuals will think, feel, and act in certain situations. Prediction is an essential goal as it allows psychologists to develop interventions, treatments, and strategies that can effectively address and improve mental health, well-being, and overall human functioning. Through prediction, psychologists can also contribute to the development of theories and models that help explain and understand the complexities of the human mind and behavior.

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2.

Objectivity is when two persons study a particular event independently, they should arrive at the same conclusion.

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
Objectivity refers to the ability to approach a situation or event without personal biases or emotions. In this context, it means that when two individuals study the same event independently, they should be able to reach the same conclusion based on the objective facts and evidence presented. This means that their personal opinions or perspectives should not influence their interpretation of the event. Therefore, the statement is true as objectivity requires arriving at the same conclusion when studying an event independently.

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3.

What are the main types of assessment measures used by psychologists to study the outcomes of mental activity?

A.

a) Theories, hypotheses, tests
B.

b) Self-report, experiments, correlations
C.

c) Behavioural, self-report, experimental
D.

d) Behavioural, self-report, physiological
E.

e) (a) and (d)

Correct Answer
D. d) Behavioural, self-report, physiological

Explanation
The main types of assessment measures used by psychologists to study the outcomes of mental activity are behavioral, self-report, and physiological measures. Behavioral measures involve observing and recording the actions and behaviors of individuals. Self-report measures involve individuals reporting their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through questionnaires or interviews. Physiological measures involve measuring biological responses such as heart rate, brain activity, or hormone levels. These three types of measures provide a comprehensive understanding of mental activity by examining both observable behaviors and internal experiences, as well as the underlying physiological processes.

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4.

Five qualities that best describe good psychological research include:

A.

A) Valid, scientific, ethical, experimental, correlational
B.

b) Scientific, experimental, public, parsimonious, cumulative
C.

C) Valid, reliable, public, parsimonious, cumulative
D.

d) Experimental, quasi-experimental, survey, correlational, meta-analytic
E.

e) None of these describe good research

Correct Answer
A. A) Valid, scientific, ethical, experimental, correlational

Explanation
The answer (a) is the most appropriate because it includes qualities that are essential for good psychological research. Validity ensures that the research measures what it intends to measure, scientific means that the research is based on empirical evidence and follows the scientific method, ethical means that the research is conducted with respect for the well-being and rights of participants, experimental refers to the use of controlled experiments, and correlational indicates the study of relationships between variables. These qualities together contribute to the credibility and reliability of the research findings.

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5.

Experimental groups, treatment groups, and control groups represent ways to ____________ outcome variables.

A.

a) Manipulate
B.

B) Correlate
C.

d) Validate
D.

e) Generalise

Correct Answer
A. a) Manipulate

Explanation
Experimental groups, treatment groups, and control groups are used to manipulate outcome variables. In an experiment, the researcher manipulates the independent variable (treatment) in the experimental group to observe its effect on the dependent variable (outcome). The control group is used as a baseline to compare the effects of the treatment. By manipulating the variables, researchers can determine the causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

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6.

The three measures of central tendency include:

A.

a) Motivation, cognition, behavior
B.

b) Descriptive, inferential, evaluation
C.

c) Mean, average, sum
D.

d) Mean, median, mode
E.

e) Quantity, quality, dispersion

Correct Answer
D. d) Mean, median, mode

Explanation
The correct answer is d) Mean, median, mode. These are the three measures of central tendency used to describe the center or average of a set of data. The mean is the arithmetic average, calculated by summing all the values and dividing by the number of values. The median is the middle value when the data is arranged in ascending or descending order. The mode is the value that appears most frequently in the data set. These measures help to provide a summary of the data and give an indication of the typical or central value.

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7.

Which of the following do we know to be true about the qualitative approach?

A.

A) When researchers report and comment on behavior, without attempting to quantify it, they are using a qualitative research method.
B.

b) Qualitative methods can include coding, grouping, and collecting observations.
C.

C) The way people evaluate the friendliness of the people they meet illustrates some features of a qualitative approach to psychological research.
D.

D) All of the above.

Correct Answer
D. D) All of the above.

Explanation
The correct answer is d) All of the above. This means that all the statements mentioned in options a, b, and c are true about the qualitative approach. Option a states that when researchers report and comment on behavior without quantifying it, they are using a qualitative research method. Option b mentions that qualitative methods can involve coding, grouping, and collecting observations. Option c explains that the evaluation of friendliness in people illustrates some aspects of a qualitative approach to psychological research. Therefore, all three options provide accurate information about the qualitative approach.

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8.

. Measurement scales used in psychological research are based on four types, which include:

A.

a) Nominal, ordinal, internal, external
B.

b) Internal, external, quasi, survey
C.

c) Nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio
D.

d) Interval, ratio, quasi, survey
E.

e) Internal, external, interval, ratio

Correct Answer
C. c) Nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio

Explanation
The correct answer is c) Nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio. Measurement scales used in psychological research are categorized into four types: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Nominal scales are used to categorize data into distinct categories or groups. Ordinal scales rank the data in a specific order or hierarchy. Interval scales have equal intervals between the values and do not have a true zero point. Ratio scales have equal intervals and a true zero point, allowing for meaningful ratios to be calculated. The options a, b, d, and e do not accurately represent the four types of measurement scales used in psychological research.

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9.

You have just conducted a research study. If the responses of the participants significantly differ from what would be expected if there was no relationship among the variables in your study, then it would be appropriate for you to:

A.

a) Use a different method to replicate the results
B.

b) Obtain a larger sample to replicate results
C.

c) Perform manipulation checks
D.

d) Reject the null hypothesis
E.

d) Reject the null hypothesis

Correct Answer
A. a) Use a different method to replicate the results

Explanation
If the responses of the participants significantly differ from what would be expected if there was no relationship among the variables in the study, it would be appropriate to use a different method to replicate the results. This is because if the initial method used to conduct the study led to unexpected results, using a different method can help verify if the findings are consistent across different approaches. Replicating the results using a different method increases the reliability and validity of the study's findings.

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10.

A temporary solution to a problem is called a

A.

A) Conceptualisation of data
B.

b)collection
C.

C) Paradigms
D.

D) Hypothesis.

Correct Answer
D. D) Hypothesis.

Explanation
A hypothesis is a temporary solution to a problem because it is an educated guess or a proposed explanation that can be tested and proven or disproven through further research and experimentation. It is not a permanent or final solution, but rather a starting point for investigation and analysis.

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