Chapter 2: Where to Start

The question "How many angels can stand on the head of a pin?" is not a good research question, because:
1. the answer is already known
2. there is no relevant theory concerning this question
3. it cannot be answered through objective observation
4. 1.8 billion
A hypothesis is:
1. the final word on the cause of a phenomenon
2. a tentative statement about the relationship between variables
3. rarely used in science because of imprecision
4. none of the above
Which of the following sets the scientific method apart from other methods of inquiry?
1. logical deduction of hypotheses
2. using authoritative sources to develop ideas for research
3. observing and experimenting
4. using pseudoexplanations in place of hypotheses
A researcher designs a study to look at the relationship between sex of the participant and the time spent talking in a group. The researcher states, "In a balanced mixed-sex group, male participants will talk more than female participants." This is an example of a:
1. hypothesis
2. prediction
3. question
4. moral judgment
A(n) ________ is a statement about the expected relationship between variables. A(n) ________ is a statement about the outcome of a particular experiment.
1. prediction; hypothesis
2. hypothesis; prediction
3. educated guess; law
4. law; educated guess
Which of the following is a source of ideas for research projects?
1. observation of the world around us
2. past research
3. theories
4. all of the above
Which of the following is not true of theories?
1. theories are modifiable
2. theories help generate new knowledge
3. theories help organize and explain a variety of facts
4. if studies provide support for the hypothesis, then the theory is proven
Which of the following would not be found when you search the PsycINFO database system?
1. author and title of journal articles
2. journal reference
3. complete article
4. brief description of the contents
Suppose you are conducting a literature search for articles about the relationship between right and left hand dominance and creativity. You find an article that is directly relevant to your topic. Which one of the following reference tools would you use to find other articles that cite your original article?
1. psychological abstracts
2. the internet
3. social science citation index
4. randomly select a psychological journal article and search the table of contents for the topic
Which of the following would not be found in the introduction of a research report?
1. a review of a theory relevant to the research
2. a prediction about the results
3. a summary of past research
4. a description of how participants were selected and assigned to groups
Hypotheses and theories differ in that theories are:
1. less complex
2. not testable
3. more complex
4. testable
A theory is ________ if it is capable of failing an empirical test.
1. sound
2. relevant
3. testable
4. controvertible
Numbers less than ________ are usually spelled out in an APA-style manuscript.
1. 5
2. 7
3. 9
4. 10
The proper way to cite a reference in your manuscript, when the author's name does not appear in the body of the sentence, is:
1. Jones (1985)
2. (1985, by Jones)
3. (Jones, 1985)
4. (Jones)
Which of the following is the general format of a discussion section of an APA-style manuscript?
1. begin with a general discussion of your results, and finally restate your hypotheses, indicating whether they were supported
2. begin with a restatement of your hypotheses and a focused discussion of your results, and then move to the broader implications of your results
3. begin with a discussion of relevant theory and then move on to your specific results
4. none of the above

Chapter 2: Where to Start

Choose the best answer for each question.