AS Level Psychology chapter 2: Research methodology MCQs with answers

By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026

217 exam-style questions on Research methodology, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.

217 questions · 15 topics · 10 per test

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What chapter 2 covers

Ten Research methodology questions with answers

Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.

1. Why is the dependent variable given that name?

  1. A
    its value is expected to depend on the effect of the independent variable
  2. B
    its value depends on which participants the researcher happens to choose
  3. C
    it depends on the researcher to keep it constant throughout the study
  4. D
    it depends on whether the hypothesis is null or alternative
Show answer

Answer: A. The DV is the outcome that is measured. Any change in it is expected to depend on (be caused by) the change in the IV. It is the IV that the researcher changes, and variables that are kept constant are controls.

2. Which is a strength of laboratory experiments compared with field experiments?

  1. A
    the results always have higher ecological validity than in real life
  2. B
    the procedure can be standardised, so the study is easier to replicate
  3. C
    participants behave more naturally because they are unaware of being studied in the laboratory
  4. D
    demand characteristics are less likely to occur than in any other setting
Show answer

Answer: B. The controlled setting of a lab allows exact standardisation and therefore replication. Labs usually have lower ecological validity and more demand characteristics, because participants know they are being tested.

3. Why are longitudinal studies costly?

  1. A
    participants must be matched on a very large number of different variables
  2. B
    researchers must keep in contact with and test participants over many years
  3. C
    they always need a very large and expensive laboratory to run properly
  4. D
    they always use costly specialist equipment that has to be replaced each year
Show answer

Answer: B. Running a study for years demands ongoing staff time, funding and effort to trace participants, and results are delayed.

4. What is meant by a 'measure of central tendency'?

  1. A
    a single value that represents the typical score of a data set
  2. B
    a value that shows how widely the scores in the set are spread out
  3. C
    a value that shows the highest single score in the data set
  4. D
    a value that shows whether the results are due to chance
Show answer

Answer: A. Mode, median and mean each summarise the middle or typical value. Spread is measured by the range or standard deviation.

5. Which of these is a situational variable?

  1. A
    the age of the participants
  2. B
    the temperature of the room
  3. C
    the motivation of the participants
  4. D
    the participants' previous experience of the task
Show answer

Answer: B. Situational variables are features of the environment or procedure. The other options are characteristics of the participants.

6. A researcher is planning a study and wants others to be able to repeat it easily. Which is the most useful step?

  1. A
    use an unstructured method so that each participant is treated individually
  2. B
    describe the procedure only in general terms to save space in the report
  3. C
    write a detailed, standardised procedure with exact instructions and definitions
  4. D
    use a sample of volunteers who already know the researcher well
Show answer

Answer: C. Precise, standardised details allow another researcher to repeat exactly what was done.

7. A researcher reads the same script aloud to every participant before starting the task. Which is being improved?

  1. A
    random allocation of participants
  2. B
    the use of counterbalancing
  3. C
    standardisation of the procedure
  4. D
    the choice of an opportunity sample
Show answer

Answer: C. Using identical instructions, timing and conditions for all participants is standardisation, and it helps control variables and allows replication.

8. What is meant by replicability?

  1. A
    the ability of a study to measure exactly what it claims to be measuring
  2. B
    a study can be repeated with the same procedure to see if the results are the same
  3. C
    the ability of participants to leave the study at any time that they like
  4. D
    the ability of the researcher to generalise from the sample that was used
Show answer

Answer: B. A replicable study has a procedure clear enough for others to repeat it exactly and check the results.

9. A researcher is studying gambling habits among adults who may feel embarrassed about the topic. Which choice is best and why?

  1. A
    a face-to-face structured interview, because the interviewer can tell whether respondents are lying
  2. B
    a telephone interview with open questions, because respondents can never be identified
  3. C
    a paper questionnaire handed out in public, because everyone will complete it truthfully
  4. D
    an anonymous online questionnaire, as respondents may be more honest with no interviewer present
Show answer

Answer: D. Anonymity and the absence of an interviewer reduce social desirability on sensitive topics. An interviewer cannot reliably detect lying, and a phone call or public setting reduces privacy.

10. A researcher joins a gym as a member and records the behaviour of other members while she works out with them. Which type of observation is this?

  1. A
    non-participant observation
  2. B
    laboratory experiment
  3. C
    case study
  4. D
    participant observation
Show answer

Answer: D. In a participant observation the observer takes part in the activity or group being observed. In a non-participant observation the observer watches from outside.

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Research methodology: questions students ask

How many Research methodology MCQs are there?

217, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 15 topics: Experiments, Self-reports, Case studies, Observations, Correlations, Longitudinal studies, Aims and hypotheses, Variables, Controlling of variables, Types of data, Sampling of participants, Ethics, Validity, Reliability and replicability, Data analysis. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.

Is the AS Level Psychology chapter 2 test free?

Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.

How is the chapter test marked?

The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.

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