Psychology - Experimental Research Methods Quiz

The dependent variable refers to the variable that the researcher measures in a study. It is the outcome or response variable that is being observed or recorded. In contrast, the independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulates or controls in order to understand its effect on the dependent variable. In this case, the correct answer is "The variable the researcher measures" because the dependent variable is the one that is being measured and observed in the study.

This answer correctly identifies a laboratory experiment as a research method in which the researcher deliberately manipulates the independent variable (IV), measures the dependent variable (DV), and maintains strict control over all other variables. This explanation also highlights the key features of a laboratory experiment, such as the controlled environment and the researcher's ability to manipulate and measure variables.

The independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulates. This means that the researcher has control over this variable and can change its value or condition in order to observe its effect on the dependent variable. By manipulating the independent variable, the researcher can determine whether there is a causal relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. The dependent variable, on the other hand, is the variable that is measured or observed by the researcher. It is the outcome or response that may be influenced by the independent variable.

The null hypothesis is a statement that assumes no significant difference or relationship between variables. In this case, the null hypothesis states that there will be no significant difference in a person's height due to the number of jelly beans eaten. This means that the number of jelly beans consumed will not have an impact on a person's height.

Repeated measures is a research design where participants experience all conditions of the study. This means that each participant is exposed to every level or treatment being investigated. By doing so, researchers can compare the effects within the same individuals, eliminating individual differences as a confounding factor. This design is particularly useful when the sample size is limited or when individual differences need to be controlled for. It allows for increased statistical power and efficiency in data collection.

Confounding variables refer to factors that can interfere with the experimenter's ability to interpret the findings accurately. These variables are external factors that are not controlled or accounted for in the study but can influence the results. They can introduce bias and lead to incorrect conclusions. By not considering or accounting for these variables, the experimenter's attempts to interpret the findings may be compromised, making it difficult to determine the true cause-and-effect relationship between the variables being studied.

The given answer "Drinking alcohol will slow down your reaction time" is a one-tailed hypothesis because it specifies the direction of the effect. It suggests that drinking alcohol will have a specific impact on reaction time, which is slowing it down. A one-tailed hypothesis focuses on a specific direction of the effect, while a two-tailed hypothesis would simply state that drinking alcohol will have an effect on reaction time without specifying the direction.

After writing down a null hypothesis, the statement "Any difference will be due to chance" is the correct answer. This is because the null hypothesis assumes that there is no significant difference or relationship between variables, and any observed difference is purely due to chance or random variation. It suggests that any variation or deviation from the null hypothesis is not a result of systematic errors or research methods, but rather a result of random chance.

Independent measures design refers to a research design where participants are assigned to only one condition of the study. This means that each participant experiences only one level of the independent variable, and their responses are compared with those of participants in other conditions. In this design, different groups of participants are used for each condition, allowing for a comparison between groups rather than within the same individuals. This design is commonly used to avoid order effects and reduce participant fatigue or practice effects.

Extraneous variables refer to factors or variables that are not intentionally manipulated or measured by the researcher but can still influence the behavior of the participants in a study. These variables can have an unintended impact on the outcome of the study and can potentially confound or distort the interpretation of the findings. Therefore, they are considered as things that can affect the behavior of the participants in a research study.

While a double-blind procedure adds a layer of organization, it's primary benefit is reducing bias, not increasing complexity. By keeping both researchers and participants unaware of treatment conditions, it minimizes the potential for biases to influence the outcome, leading to more reliable and objective results.

Matched pairs is a research design where participants from the first condition are matched as closely as possible with participants from the second condition. This ensures that the two groups are similar in terms of relevant characteristics, such as age, gender, or previous experience. By doing so, any differences in the outcomes can be attributed to the independent variable being studied rather than individual differences between participants. This design helps to control for extraneous variables and increases the internal validity of the study.

A field experiment is a research method conducted in a real-world setting, where the researcher deliberately manipulates an independent variable (IV) to study its effects. The dependent variable (DV) is measured to assess how changes in the IV impact the real-world context. While the researcher aims to control other variables to some extent, field experiments prioritize studying behavior and phenomena in natural environments, offering a balance between laboratory experiments and naturalistic observations.

A research hypothesis is a statement that is formulated based on research and aims to predict the relationship or outcome between variables being studied. It is a tentative assumption or proposition that is tested through research methods and data analysis. The purpose of a research hypothesis is to guide the research process and provide a clear direction for the study. It helps researchers to focus on specific objectives and determine if their predictions are supported by the evidence gathered during the research.