45 exam-style questions on Research Methods Analysis — topic SK.Research_methods_analysis of Skills in the IB Psychology syllabus — with answers and explanations. Samples below; the full set is free with an account.
A psychologist wants to establish whether caffeine causes faster reaction times. Which research method is most appropriate?
Answer: True experiment
Only a controlled experiment with manipulation of the IV and random allocation can establish a cause-effect relationship; the other methods describe or associate but do not isolate causation.
In a repeated measures (within-subjects) design, the same participants complete all conditions. Which technique best controls for order effects such as practice or fatigue?
Answer: Counterbalancing the conditions
Counterbalancing (e.g. half do A then B, half B then A) distributes practice/fatigue effects evenly across conditions, the standard control for order effects in repeated measures designs.
A researcher observes shoppers in a mall without their knowledge and does not intervene. This is best classified as a:
Answer: Covert naturalistic observation
Observing in a natural setting without participants' awareness and without manipulating variables is a covert naturalistic observation — high in ecological validity but raising consent concerns.
A study compares memory scores of people who already have depression with those who do not. Because the researcher cannot randomly allocate participants to the depression condition, this design is best described as:
Answer: A quasi-experiment
When the IV (having depression) is a pre-existing participant characteristic that cannot be manipulated or randomly allocated, the design is a quasi-experiment, which limits causal inference.
Which sampling technique gives every member of the target population an equal chance of being selected?
Answer: Random sampling
Random sampling gives all population members an equal selection probability, reducing sampling bias; opportunity and volunteer sampling are convenient but biased.
A qualitative researcher analyses interview transcripts by identifying recurring patterns of meaning and grouping them into categories. This process is best described as:
Answer: Thematic analysis
Thematic analysis identifies, organises and interprets patterns (themes) within qualitative data; triangulation instead combines multiple methods/sources to strengthen credibility.
That was 6 of 45 Research Methods Analysis questions.
Practise all 45 freeStateAO1 · 1–9 marks
One word or one short sentence. No explanation, no working: the mark is for the fact itself.
OutlineAO1 · 1–9 marks
A brief account or summary: the main points in two or three sentences, no evaluation.
ExplainAO2 · 3–9 marks
Give reasons or causes: say what happens AND why, linking each step with 'because' or 'so that'.
45 Research Methods Analysis questions — free with an account. Spaced repetition, streaks and full exam simulations included.
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