Practice: Methods and techniques of data collection
Knowledge Check: Methods of Data Collection
Topic 1: Introspection & Observation Methods
Q1: Which method is considered the oldest method of psychology, introduced by Wilhelm Wundt and Titchner?
A) Observation
B) Introspection
C) Experimental Method
D) Case Study
Q2: Why did Behaviorists like J.B. Watson strongly reject the Introspection method?
A) It was too expensive
B) It required heavy equipment
C) It was subjective and unverifiable
D) It was only for animals
Q3: In “Participant Observation,” the researcher:
A) Watches from a hidden camera
B) Becomes an active member of the group being observed
C) Asks questions through a survey
D) Conducts experiments in a lab
Q4: Which of the following is a primary limitation of the Observation method?
A) Artificial environment
B) Observer Bias (Halo Effect)
C) Cannot study animals
D) Requires complex mathematics
Q5: When a teacher observes students in the playground without controlling any variables, it is called:
A) Controlled Observation
B) Naturalistic Observation
C) Clinical Interview
D) Longitudinal Study
Q6: Introspection is NOT suitable for which group of subjects?
A) Normal Adults
B) Philosophers
C) Infants and Mentally challenged individuals
D) Trained Psychologists
Q7: The systematic steps of the Observation method are:
A) Recording -> Planning -> Analysis
B) Planning -> Execution/Recording -> Interpretation -> Generalization
C) Interpretation -> Recording -> Planning
D) Generalization -> Planning -> Recording
Q8: In the context of India, Introspection aligns closely with which traditional concept?
A) Memorization
B) Self-Realization (Atmanawlokana)
C) Social Service
D) Physical Training
Q9: The “Hawthorne Effect” refers to a problem in observation where:
A) Subjects change their behavior because they know they are being watched
B) The observer falls asleep
C) The tools stop working
D) The environment becomes too cold
Q10: Controlled Observation is most commonly used in:
A) Historical Research
B) Experimental Psychology
C) Literary Analysis
D) Philosophical debate
Topic 2: Experimental Method & Action Research
Q11: In an experiment, the variable that the researcher intentionally manipulates is called the:
A) Dependent Variable
B) Independent Variable
C) Extraneous Variable
D) Confounding Variable
Q12: Who is credited with bringing “Action Research” into the field of Education specifically?
A) Kurt Lewin
B) Stephen M. Corey
C) John Dewey
D) B.F. Skinner
Q13: What is the correct sequence of the Action Research Cycle?
A) Act -> Plan -> Observe -> Reflect
B) Plan -> Act -> Observe -> Reflect
C) Observe -> Plan -> Act -> Reflect
D) Reflect -> Observe -> Plan -> Act
Q14: In an experiment on “Effect of coffee on sleep,” what is the Dependent Variable?
A) The amount of coffee
B) The brand of coffee
C) The duration/quality of sleep
D) The cup size
Q15: The primary goal of Action Research is:
A) Theory generation for global application
B) Solving immediate, localized classroom problems
C) Publishing in international journals
D) Developing standardized tests
Q16: Which group in an experiment does NOT receive the treatment (manipulation)?
A) Experimental Group
B) Control Group
C) Focus Group
D) Pilot Group
Q17: Action Research is best described as being performed by:
A) External scientists
B) Practitioners (Teachers/Principals)
C) Government officials
D) Parents only
Q18: Establishing a “Cause and Effect” relationship is the unique strength of which method?
A) Case Study
B) Survey Method
C) Experimental Method
D) Observation
Q19: “Extraneous Variables” are:
A) The variables we want to study
B) Unwanted factors that might affect the outcome
C) The results of the study
D) Mathematical formulas
Q20: In Action Research, the “Hypothesis” is usually referred to as:
A) Universal Law
B) Action Hypothesis
C) Null Hypothesis
D) Statistical Probability
Topic 3: Case Study, Longitudinal & Cross-Cultural
Q21: The Case Study method is also frequently known as:
A) Statistical Method
B) Clinical Method
C) Survey Method
D) Experimental Method
Q22: A “Longitudinal Study” involves:
A) Studying different children at the same time
B) Studying the same group of children over a long period of years
C) Studying children from different countries once
D) A short 1-hour observation
Q23: The Case Study method is “Idiographic,” meaning it focuses on:
A) Large populations
B) The unique individual case
C) Mathematical averages
D) Animal behavior
Q24: Which is a major disadvantage of the Longitudinal Method?
A) It provides no data on growth
B) Sample attrition (participants drop out or move away)
C) It is too fast
D) It is less accurate than cross-sectional
Q25: The “Cross-Sectional Approach” differs from Longitudinal because it:
A) Takes more time
B) Studies different age groups at a single point in time
C) Follows one person for life
D) Does not use statistics
Q26: Case studies are most effective for:
A) Predicting national voting trends
B) Diagnosing causes of maladjustment or delinquency
C) Testing the efficacy of a vaccine
D) Teaching large classes
Q27: Lewis Terman’s famous study “Genetic Studies of Genius” is a classic example of:
A) Cross-Sectional Study
B) Longitudinal Study
C) Action Research
D) Animal Experiment
Q28: Cross-Cultural Psychology mainly aims to:
A) Prove one culture is superior
B) Test if psychological principles are universal or culture-specific
C) Teach English to everyone
D) Stop migration
Q29: Data for a Case Study is typically collected from:
A) Only the subject
B) Multiple sources (Parents, Peers, Medical records, Subject)
C) Only the teacher
D) Only textbooks
Q30: The primary limitation of the Case Study method is:
A) It is too detailed
B) Generalization is difficult (Results may not apply to others)
C) It requires no training
D) It is strictly quantitative
Topic 4: Interviews, Questionnaires & Rating Scales
Q31: What is the main difference between a Questionnaire and a Schedule?
A) No difference
B) Questionnaire is filled by the respondent; Schedule is filled by the enumerator/researcher
C) Questionnaire is for illiterates only
D) Schedule is always online
Q32: A “Likert Scale” is a common type of:
A) Intelligence Test
B) Rating Scale (5-point agreement)
C) Projective Test
D) Physical measure
Q33: “Open-ended questions” in an interview allow for:
A) Yes/No answers only
B) Elaborate, divergent, and free responses
C) Selection from A, B, C, D
D) No response
Q34: Establishing “Rapport” is a critical first step in:
A) Filling a checklist
B) Conducting an Interview
C) Analyzing statistics
D) Writing a report
Q35: The tendency to rate a person high on all traits because of one positive trait is called:
A) Central Tendency Error
B) The Halo Effect
C) Severity Error
D) Logical Error
Q36: Who is historically associated with the development of the Questionnaire method and statistical correlation?
A) Francis Galton
B) Sigmund Freud
C) Ivan Pavlov
D) Abraham Maslow
Q37: A “Structured Interview” is characterized by:
A) Flexible questions that change per person
B) Pre-determined questions asked in a fixed order
C) No specific questions
D) Group discussion
Q38: “Forced Choice” rating scales are designed to prevent:
A) Thinking
B) The “Central Tendency” error (playing it safe)
C) Writing
D) Reading
Q39: Which is a key advantage of the Questionnaire method over the Interview?
A) It is more personal
B) It can cover a huge population quickly and cheaply
C) It requires expert interviewers
D) It allows for follow-up questions
Q40: In a “Checklist,” the respondent typically:
A) Writes an essay
B) Marks ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ for the presence of a trait
C) Draws a picture
D) Solves a puzzle
Topic 5: Anecdotal Records, Narratives & Journals
Q41: An “Anecdotal Record” is best defined as:
A) A collection of student marks
B) A descriptive account of a significant specific incident/behavior
C) A medical report
D) An attendance register
Q42: The most important rule when writing an Anecdotal Record is:
A) Use complex language
B) Mix facts with personal opinion
C) Maintain objectivity (Describe exactly what happened)
D) Write it one month later
Q43: Reflective Journals are primarily used by teachers and students to:
A) Copy notes from the board
B) Engage in metacognition and self-analysis of learning
C) Draw cartoons
D) Practice handwriting
Q44: Narrative Inquiry uses ________ as the primary data.
A) Numbers and Graphs
B) Stories and lived experiences
C) Chemical reactions
D) Multiple choice questions
Q45: How does a “Portfolio” differ from an Anecdotal Record?
A) Portfolio is a collection of the student’s actual work samples
B) Portfolio is written by the teacher only
C) Anecdotal record is 100 pages long
D) There is no difference
Q46: “Cumulative Record Cards” (CRC) are distinct because they:
A) Are thrown away every year
B) Maintain a comprehensive history of the student over many years
C) Contain only medical info
D) Are kept by the student
Q47: In Reflective Teaching (Dewey/Schon), “Reflection-IN-action” means:
A) Thinking about the lesson after it is over
B) Thinking and adjusting while teaching in the moment
C) Planning before the class
D) Sleeping during class
Q48: A major bias in Anecdotal Records is:
A) Reporting only negative incidents
B) Using too much paper
C) Writing too clearly
D) Reporting strictly facts
Q49: Narrative records are considered part of:
A) Quantitative Research
B) Qualitative Research
C) Statistical Analysis
D) Experimental Design
Q50: The main purpose of maintaining these various records (Anecdotal, CRC, Portfolios) is:
A) To increase the teacher’s salary
B) To provide a holistic assessment of the child’s development
C) To complain to parents
D) To fill school cupboards