Privitera, Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences, 3e
2023
Chapter 1: Introduction to Scientific Thinking
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. ______ is the acquisition of knowledge through observation, evaluation,
interpretation, and theoretical explanation.
A. Science
B. Empiricism
C. Authority
D. Statistics
Ans: A
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Define science and the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Science as a Method of Knowing
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. A researcher uses the scientific method to acquire knowledge through observation,
evaluation, interpretation, and theoretical explanation. This researcher is engaged in
______.
A. statistics
B. sampling
C. science
D. empiricism
Ans: C
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Define science and the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Science as a Method of Knowing
Difficulty Level: Hard
3. Science is the acquisition of knowledge through all of the following EXCEPT ______.
A. observation
B. evaluation
C. interpretation
D. anecdotal evidence
Ans: D
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Define science and the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: Science as a Method of Knowing
Difficulty Level: Medium
4. Which of the following is not a means of acquiring knowledge through science?
A. acquire knowledge through observation
, Privitera, Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences, 3e
2023
B. acquire knowledge through tenacity and intuition
C. acquire knowledge through theoretical explanation
D. acquire knowledge through evaluation and interpretation
Ans: B
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Define science and the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: Science as a Method of Knowing
Difficulty Level: Medium
5. Science is a broad term that comes from the Latin scientia, meaning what?
A. to state (a theory or idea)
B. knowledge
C. to observe
D. interpretation
Ans: B
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Define science and the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Science as a Method of Knowing
Difficulty Level: Easy
6. The ______ refers to a set of systematic techniques used to acquire, modify, and
integrate knowledge concerning observable and measurable phenomena.
A. hypothesis
B. population
C. scientific method
D. operational definition
Ans: C
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Define science and the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Scientific Method
Difficulty Level: Easy
7. The scientific method refers to a set of systematic techniques used to acquire,
modify, and integrate knowledge concerning ______.
A. observable and measurable phenomena
B. populations, but not samples
C. statistics, but not parameters
D. any phenomena
Ans: A
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Define science and the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Science as a Method of Knowing
Difficulty Level: Easy
8. Another name for the scientific method is the ______.
A. sampling method
, Privitera, Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences, 3e
2023
B. systematic method
C. research method
D. preferred method
Ans: C
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Define science and the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Science as a Method of Knowing
Difficulty Level: Easy
9. Science is ______ way of knowing about the world.
A. one
B. the only
C. the best
D. the worst
Ans: A
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.1: Define science and the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Science as a Method of Knowing
Difficulty Level: Easy
10. Which of the following is not one of the six general steps to apply the scientific
method?
A. identify a problem
B. select an authority figure
C. conduct the study
D. develop a research plan
Ans: B
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.2: Describe six steps for engaging in the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: The Scientific Method
Difficulty Level: Medium
11. Which of the following lists the general steps for engaging in the scientific method in
the correct order?
A. identify a problem, conduct the study, develop a research plan, analyze, and
evaluate the data, generate more new ideas, and communicate the results
B. identify a problem, conduct the study, develop a research plan, analyze, and
evaluate the data, communicate the results, and generate more new ideas
C. identify a problem, develop a research plan, conduct the study, analyze, and
evaluate the data, communicate the results, and generate more new ideas
D. identify a problem, communicate the results, develop a research plan, conduct the
study, analyze, and evaluate the data, and generate more new ideas
Ans: C
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.2: Describe six steps for engaging in the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Scientific Method
, Privitera, Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences, 3e
2023
Difficulty Level: Easy
12. The first step in the scientific process is to identify a problem, which entails all of the
following EXCEPT ______.
A. performing a literature review
B. determining an area of interest
C. developing a research hypothesis
D. conducting the study
Ans: D
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.2: Describe six steps for engaging in the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: Step 1: Identify a Problem
Difficulty Level: Medium
13. A researcher reads an article that reports a significant result. While reading this
article, the researcher identifies a hypothesis to explain the findings reported in that
article. Which step of the scientific method is described in this example?
A. analyze and evaluate data
B. conduct the study
C. communicate the results
D. identify a problem
Ans: D
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.2: Describe six steps for engaging in the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Step 1: Identify a Problem
Difficulty Level: Hard
14. Based on results reported in published articles, a researcher states that men will be
less likely than women to read nutrition labels when making decisions about purchasing
foods. What is this statement called?
A. intuition
B. hypothesis
C. research plan
D. literature review
Ans: B
KEY: Learning Objective: 1.2: Describe six steps for engaging in the scientific method.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Identify New Ideas in Your Area of Research
Difficulty Level: Hard
15. A researcher conducts a literature review. After completing this review, they state
that texting during class can improve student learning. This statement is referred to as
a(n) ______.
A. intuition
B. hypothesis
C. research plan
