Lesson 9.1.2

9.1.2 Hypotheses, variables and control issues Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Psychology, Unit 9

20 questions

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Lesson 9.1.2, Hypotheses, variables and control issues: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Psychology (9PS0), Unit 9: Psychological skills, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is a null hypothesis?

    • A statement that predicts a specific direction of difference
    • A statement that predicts no significant difference or relationship between variables
    • A statement of the aims of the study
    • A statement that the sample is representative

  2. Which statement is an example of a directional (one-tailed) alternate hypothesis?

    • Participants who drink caffeine will have faster reaction times than those who do not
    • Caffeine is related to reaction time
    • Reaction times are not affected by caffeine
    • There will be a difference in reaction times between the two groups

  3. Which statement is a non-directional (two-tailed) alternate hypothesis?

    • There will be a difference in reaction times between participants who drink caffeine and those who do not
    • Caffeine has no effect on reaction time
    • Caffeine increases the speed of reaction
    • Participants who drink caffeine will react more quickly

  4. What is the independent variable in an experiment?

    • The variable that the participants choose
    • The variable the researcher measures as the outcome
    • The variable the researcher manipulates or changes
    • The variable kept the same for all participants

  5. What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

    • The room in which the experiment takes place
    • The condition the researcher controls
    • The participant's age
    • The outcome that is measured for each participant

  6. Which term describes variables other than the independent variable that might affect the dependent variable if they are not controlled?

    • Null hypotheses
    • Operational definitions
    • Extraneous variables
    • Dependent variables

  7. What is a confounding variable?

    • A variable that has no effect on any outcome
    • A variable that is only measured in qualitative studies
    • A variable that varies systematically with the independent variable and affects the dependent variable
    • A variable that the researcher intentionally keeps constant

  8. A researcher tests whether sleep affects memory but tests the sleep group in the morning and the control group in the evening. What problem is this?

    • An order effect in a repeated measures design
    • A demand characteristic from the participants
    • A reliability problem from the questionnaire
    • A confounding variable, time of day, varies with the independent variable

  9. What is the purpose of operationalising variables in a study?

    • To remove the need for a dependent variable
    • To make them more ambiguous so participants cannot guess the hypothesis
    • To ensure the sample is random
    • To define them in measurable terms so they can be tested and replicated

  10. A researcher defines 'stress' as a score above 20 on a specific questionnaire. What is this an example of?

    • Operationalisation
    • Ecological validity
    • Counterbalancing
    • Random allocation

  11. Which control technique is used to reduce order effects in a repeated measures design?

    • Counterbalancing
    • Operationalisation
    • Standardised instructions
    • Double-blind procedure

  12. Which description of a standardised procedure is most accurate?

    • Procedures are changed to match the participants' expectations
    • The researcher decides procedures during each session
    • Each participant is given different instructions to suit their personality
    • Every participant receives the same instructions and conditions, which reduces variation caused by the researcher

  13. A researcher's assistant knows the hypothesis and treats participants in the experimental group more warmly. Which control issue is this?

    • Ceiling effect
    • Order effect
    • Reliability of a test
    • Experimenter effect

  14. Participants in a study guess that the experiment is testing whether caffeine improves concentration and try harder. Which issue is this?

    • Random allocation error
    • Counterbalancing failure
    • Demand characteristics
    • Standard deviation

  15. Which method reduces demand characteristics in an experiment?

    • Telling participants the hypothesis before the study
    • Using only one participant in each group
    • Use of a single-blind or double-blind procedure
    • Allowing participants to see the other conditions

  16. In a study, the researcher says that the result is the number of errors made on a task. Which level of data is this?

    • Qualitative, descriptive data
    • Covert, observational data only
    • Quantitative, discrete data
    • Secondary, archival data

  17. A study has a null hypothesis that there is no difference in exam scores between groups. The researcher finds a significant difference. What decision should be made?

    • Reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternate hypothesis
    • Change the independent variable
    • Accept the null hypothesis as proven
    • Ignore the result because it is significant

  18. Which of the following is a control issue relating to participant variables?

    • The name of the researcher's university
    • Differences in age, motivation or prior knowledge between participants that could affect the dependent variable
    • The colour of the paper used for the questionnaire
    • The number of decimal places used in the results table

  19. Which situation describes a situational variable that could affect results?

    • The use of a directional hypothesis
    • Participants having different heights
    • Noise and temperature differing between the rooms used for different conditions
    • A researcher writing neatly in the notebook

  20. A researcher finds that results change when the experiment is repeated with a different experimenter. Which issue best explains this?

    • Experimenter effects that influence the outcome
    • Use of a directional hypothesis
    • Random allocation to groups
    • Use of a repeated measures design

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