SURMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

TARAMANDAL, GORAKHPUR

STUDY MATERIALMETHODS OF ENQUIRY IN PSYCHOLOGY

QESTION BANK

1. Question: Explain the importance of research methods in psychology.

Answer: Research methods in psychology are essential for systematically studying behavior and mental
processes. They help in understanding, predicting, and influencing human behavior, contributing to the
advancement of psychological knowledge.

2. Question: Describe the scientific method and its application in psychological research.
Answer: The scientific method involves observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, data
collection, and analysis. In psychology, it is used to conduct rigorous and systematic research, ensuring
reliability and validity.

3. Question: Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology.

Answer: Quantitative research involves numerical data and statistical analysis, while qualitative research
focuses on understanding phenomena through in-depth exploration of non-numerical data. Both methods
offer unique insights in psychological research.

4. Question: Explain the concept of a hypothesis and its role in the research process.
Answer: A hypothesis is a testable prediction or statement that guides research. It provides a clear focus and
direction for the study, allowing researchers to systematically investigate relationships between variables.

5. Question: Discuss the role of variables in psychological research.

Answer: Variables are elements or factors that can be manipulated or measured in research. Independent
variables are manipulated, while dependent variables are observed or measured. Understanding variables is
crucial for experimental design and data analysis.

6. Question: Explore the strengths and limitations of experimental research in psychology.

Answer: Experimental research allows for cause-and-effect conclusions, but it may lack ecological validity.
Controlling extraneous variables is challenging, and ethical concerns may arise. Balancing these factors is
essential for effective experimental design.

7. Question: Explain the process of sampling in psychological research.

Answer: Sampling involves selecting a subset of individuals from a larger population for study. Techniques
such as random sampling, stratified sampling, and convenience sampling influence the generalizability of
research findings.

8. Question: Discuss the ethical considerations in psychological research involving human participants.
Answer: Ethical considerations include obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, minimizing
harm, and providing the right to withdraw. Ethical guidelines protect participants and uphold the integrity of
psychological research.

9. Question: Describe the observational method in psychological research.

Answer: Observational methods involve systematically observing and recording behavior in natural
settings. This method provides rich, qualitative data but may be influenced by observer bias and reactivity.

SURMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 1|Page

10. Question: Describe the purpose and significance of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in
psychological research.
Answer: The IRB ensures that research involving human participants meets ethical guidelines. Its role
includes reviewing and approving research protocols, protecting participants' rights, and minimizing
potential risks.

11. Question: Explain the concept of operationalization in psychological research.

Answer: Operationalization involves defining abstract concepts in measurable terms. It ensures that
variables are clearly defined and can be observed or measured, enhancing the precision and replicability of
research.

12. Question: Discuss the role of informed consent in psychological research with human participants.
Answer: Informed consent involves providing participants with detailed information about the study before
their involvement. It ensures that participants are aware of the study's purpose, procedures, and potential
risks, allowing them to make voluntary and informed decisions.

13. Question: Explore the concept of random sampling and its importance in research.
Answer: Random sampling involves selecting participants from a population in a random and unbiased
manner. It enhances the external validity of research findings by ensuring that the sample is representative of
the larger population.

14. Question: Discuss the limitations and advantages of cross-sectional research designs.
Answer: Cross-sectional research involves studying different groups at a single point in time. While it
provides a snapshot of a population, it does not capture changes over time and may be influenced by cohort
effects.

15. Question: Explain the concept of naturalistic observation in psychological research.

Answer: Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in its natural setting without interference. It
provides valuable insights into real-world behavior but may be influenced by the observer's bias and lack of
experimental control.

16. Question: Describe the principles of random assignment in experimental research.

Answer: Random assignment involves randomly assigning participants to experimental and control groups.
It helps control for individual differences, ensuring that each group is comparable and increasing the internal
validity of the study.

17. Question: Discuss the role of replication in establishing the reliability of research findings.
Answer: Replication involves repeating a study to determine if its findings can be consistently reproduced.
It enhances the reliability of research and helps establish the generalizability and validity of results.

18. Question: Explore the concept of validity in psychological research.

Answer: Validity refers to the accuracy and truthfulness of research findings. Different types of validity,
such as internal, external, and construct validity, ensure that a study measures what it intends to measure and
can be applied beyond the study context.

19. Question: Discuss the ethical challenges associated with deception in psychological research.
Answer: Deception involves misleading participants about the true nature or purpose of a study. While
sometimes necessary, it raises ethical concerns, and researchers must minimize potential harm, debrief
participants, and ensure that deception is justified.

SURMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 2|Page

20. Question: Explain the concept of double-blind experiments and their role in minimizing bias.
Answer: Double-blind experiments involve keeping both participants and researchers unaware of the
treatment conditions. This minimizes bias and ensures that expectations do not influence the results,
enhancing the internal validity of the study.

21. Question: Discuss the principles of ecological validity and their importance in psychological research.
Answer: Ecological validity refers to the extent to which research findings generalize to real-world settings.
Researchers strive to ensure that their studies have ecological validity to enhance the applicability of their
findings to everyday situations.

22. Question: Explore the challenges associated with generalizing research findings to diverse populations.
Answer: Generalizability is the extent to which research findings can be applied to populations beyond the
study sample. Challenges may arise due to cultural differences, sample characteristics, and other factors
influencing the external validity of the study.

23. Question: Describe the role of statistical significance in interpreting research results.
Answer: Statistical significance indicates whether the observed differences or effects in a study are likely to
be due to chance. Researchers use statistical tests to determine the significance of their findings, guiding the
interpretation of results.

24. Question: Explain the concept of experimenter bias and its impact on research outcomes.
Answer: Experimenter bias occurs when researchers' expectations or beliefs influence the study's outcomes.
To mitigate bias, researchers use double-blind procedures, ensuring that both participants and experimenters
are unaware of the study's conditions.

25. Question: Discuss the importance of triangulation in psychological research.

Answer: Triangulation involves using multiple methods, sources, or perspectives to study a phenomenon. It
enhances the credibility and validity of research findings by corroborating evidence and minimizing the
limitations of individual methods.

26. Question: Explain the process of peer review and its role in maintaining the quality of scientific
research.
Answer: Peer review involves experts in the field evaluating the quality and validity of research before
publication. It ensures that research meets ethical standards, contributes to scientific knowledge, and
maintains the integrity of the discipline.

27. Question: Discuss the challenges and benefits of conducting research in naturalistic settings.
Answer: Naturalistic settings provide valuable insights into real-world behavior but present challenges such
as lack of control and potential observer bias. Researchers must carefully balance the advantages and
limitations of studying behavior in its natural context.

SURMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 3|Page