General Example Questions (these are NOT review questions)

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of descriptive (i.e., naturalistic/observational designs) research designs, of correlational research designs. and of experimental research designs.
 
What is a theory and how is it different from a hypothesis? Name at least 2 criteria that make a theory a "good" theory?
 
Define "deceptive" research and discuss the controversy surrounding it. That is, why do some feel it is wrong to use deceptive research, and in what circumstances do others feel it is acceptable and justified?
 
Which of the following journal article titles most likely represents an example of basic research?
 
a.  "Teaching children to offer assistance"
b.  "How individuals perceive others: A test of attribution theory"
c.  "Effect of size and lettering style of signs on finding one's way in a hospital"
d.  "Encouraging volunteering:  Evaluating an advertising campaign"
 
The question "How many people in a given age group are divorced?" would be answered using ___________ research, whereas the question "Do people with more money divorce more often?" would be answered using ________research. 
 
a.  descriptive; experimental
b.  correlational; experimental
c.  predictive; descriptive
d.  descriptive; correlational
  
Wanda has a theory that her cat can recognize his name.  She calls the cat.  If the cat looks up, Wanda concludes that the cat knows his name.  If the cat does not look up, Wanda concludes that the cat knows his name but is just ignoring her.  The problem with Wanda's test of her theory is that it is
 
a.  deductive
b.  not falsifiable
c.  parsimonious
d.  overly ambitious
 
According to the guidelines of the American Psychological Association, deception can be used:
 
a.  whenever the experimenter needs to study natural behavior
b.  only if the experiment could not be conducted without using deception
c.  never -- deception is always unethical
d.  anytime when necessary as long as the participant is debriefed
 
After an experiment in which participants have been put in a negative mood is over, the participants complete a questionnaire in which they list all of the positive things bout themselves they can think of.  This technique is probably part of which of the following? 
 
a.  a simulation study
b.  informed consent
c.  an unethical study
d.  a process debriefing
  
Which of the following correlation coefficients is the strongest? 
 
a.  r=  .42
b.  r= -.48
c. r =  .45