APPSC Paper I · Probation Officer Paper II: Psychology · Topic 2

2 APPSC Paper I Methods in Psychology questions with answers

23 questions from APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology question paper with answers and APPSC DPO Psychology Mock 1 with answers. Try each one, then tap Show answer.

Previous-paper questions are as in the original paper. Medha AI wrote the answers and explanations.

2.1Observation, survey, interview and case studyNotes

  1. Q1 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q10

    Controlled observation is a research method for studying behavior in ______ environment.

    1. AControlled and structured environment.
    2. BNatural setting environment.
    3. CEasily counted environment.
    4. DEcological environment.
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Controlled and structured environment.

    In controlled observation the researcher decides the setting and the procedures, usually in a laboratory, so behaviour is observed in a controlled and structured environment.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q10, final key

  2. Q2 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q15

    ______ investigate the frequency with root causes of psychological health issues psychologists employ questionnaires.

    1. AExperimental Studies
    2. BSurveys
    3. CCase Studies
    4. DContent Analysis
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Surveys

    Surveys use questionnaires on large samples to find out how often problems occur and what goes with them.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q15, final key

  3. Q3 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q12

    Select the option that is true regarding the following two statements labelled Assertion and Reason.

    Assertion (A): Information collected through interviews and surveys is not always accurate.

    Reason (R): Respondents may give socially desirable answers rather than true ones.

    1. ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
    2. BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
    3. C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
    4. D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

    Both are true, and the tendency to give socially acceptable answers is one of the main reasons why self-report data can be inaccurate.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  4. Q4 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q15

    In observational research, recording behaviour only during fixed intervals, such as the first 10 seconds of every minute, is called

    1. Aevent sampling
    2. Btime sampling
    3. Csituation sampling
    4. Dquota sampling
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. time sampling

    Time sampling records behaviour at set time intervals; event sampling records every occurrence of a chosen behaviour whenever it happens.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  5. Q5 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q18

    A method that collects information about the attitudes, opinions or behaviour of a large number of people through questionnaires or interviews is called the

    1. Aexperimental method
    2. Bnaturalistic observation
    3. Ccase study method
    4. Dsurvey method
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. survey method

    A survey gathers self-reported information from many people, usually a sample, through questionnaires or interviews.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  6. Q6 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q21

    Which one of the following is an experimental method rather than a descriptive (non-experimental) method of psychology?

    1. ANaturalistic observation
    2. BSurvey
    3. CCase study
    4. DLaboratory experiment
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. Laboratory experiment

    Observation, survey and case study describe behaviour without manipulating variables; an experiment manipulates an independent variable under control.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

2.2Experimental, correlational and qualitative vs quantitative methods

  1. Q7 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q11

    The Main difference between quantitative and qualitative?

    1. AType of hypotheses
    2. BType of predictions
    3. CType of interviews
    4. DThe type of data they collect and analyze
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. The type of data they collect and analyze

    Quantitative research collects numerical data and analyses it statistically; qualitative research collects non-numerical data such as words and meanings.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q11, final key

  2. Q8 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q12

    The process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting non-numerical data, called?

    1. AQualitative Methods
    2. BQuantitative research
    3. CObservations
    4. DUnstructured interviews
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Qualitative Methods

    Collecting and interpreting non-numerical data (text, interviews, observations) is qualitative research.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q12, final key

  3. Q9 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q16

    ______ Research is used to explore cause-and-effect relationships between two or more variables.

    1. AExperimental
    2. BTest
    3. CSurvey
    4. DRandom research
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Experimental

    Only an experiment, in which the independent variable is manipulated and others are controlled, can establish cause and effect.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q17, final key

  4. Q10 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q13

    Which of the following is NOT an accepted ethical principle in psychological research?

    1. AParticipants may withdraw from the study at any time
    2. BInformation about participants is kept confidential
    3. CParticipants are protected from physical and mental harm
    4. DParticipants who start a study must complete it once they have agreed
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. Participants who start a study must complete it once they have agreed

    The right to withdraw at any time without penalty is a basic ethical rule, so forcing participants to finish is unethical.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  5. Q11 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q16

    A study compares the memory of smokers and non-smokers. Because participants cannot be randomly assigned to smoke, the groups already exist. Such a study is best called a:

    1. AQuasi-experiment
    2. BLaboratory experiment
    3. CDouble-blind experiment
    4. DSingle-case experiment
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Quasi-experiment

    When the researcher uses pre-existing groups instead of randomly assigning participants to conditions, the design is a quasi-experiment; cause-and-effect conclusions are weaker than in a true experiment.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  6. Q12 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q19

    The ethical principle that participants must be told about the nature of a study and must agree to take part freely before it begins is called:

    1. ADebriefing
    2. BInformed consent
    3. CConfidentiality
    4. DDeception
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Informed consent

    Informed consent means participants know what the study involves, its risks and their right to withdraw, and agree voluntarily.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  7. Q13 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q22

    Compared with a laboratory experiment, a field experiment carried out in a natural setting such as a school or factory usually has:

    1. AGreater control over extraneous variables
    2. BNo independent variable at all
    3. CGreater realism but less control over extraneous variables
    4. DNo need for a dependent variable
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. Greater realism but less control over extraneous variables

    In a field experiment the IV is still manipulated, but in real surroundings: findings are more natural (higher ecological validity) while control is weaker.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

2.1Scientific method, variables, hypotheses and samplingNotes

  1. Q14 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q13

    The Systematic study of facts according to a reliable and correct method of study is called a _________.

    1. AScientific Study
    2. BBiological Study
    3. CSocial Technique
    4. DMethodology
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Scientific Study

    Studying facts systematically with a reliable, correct method is what makes a study scientific.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q13, final key

  2. Q15 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q14

    Method of psychology, different types of data or information are collected. Some of these types are:

    1. ADemographic, Physical, Physiological, Psychological Information
    2. BMedical, Social Information
    3. CChildhood and Marital Information
    4. DIndividual and family Information
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Demographic, Physical, Physiological, Psychological Information

    Psychological assessment gathers demographic, physical, physiological and psychological information about a person; the other options are narrower subsets.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q14, final key

  3. Q16 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q17

    The Two main types of variables in psychology are _______.

    1. ACase & Field variable
    2. BIndependent & dependent variable
    3. CField & Case variable
    4. DTest & Experiment variable
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Independent & dependent variable

    Experiments have an independent variable (the one manipulated) and a dependent variable (the one measured).

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q19, final key

  4. Q17 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q18

    A _______ is a statement about the relationship between two or more variables.

    1. AHypothesis
    2. BVariables
    3. CData
    4. DBackground
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Hypothesis

    A hypothesis is a testable statement about how two or more variables are related.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q20, final key

  5. Q18 DPO 2023 Psychology, Q26

    The sampling technique follows the _____ and the results garnered from a particular set of units

    1. AReliability
    2. BScientific approach
    3. CCost & Time
    4. DIn-depth Study
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Scientific approach

    Sampling follows a scientific approach: results from a chosen set of units are generalised to the population.

    Source: APPSC DPO 2023 Psychology (Notification 11/2022), Q28, final key

  6. Q19 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q11

    Match the sampling methods with their descriptions.

    A. Simple random sampling

    B. Stratified sampling

    C. Quota sampling

    D. Snowball sampling

    1. Existing participants refer further participants

    2. Each member has an equal chance, e.g. by lottery

    3. Random selection within each subgroup of the population

    4. Fixed numbers from each category, chosen non-randomly

    1. AA-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
    2. BA-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
    3. CA-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
    4. DA-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1

    Simple random and stratified are probability methods; quota and snowball are non-probability methods.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  7. Q20 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q14

    Consider the following statements about hypotheses:

    1. A hypothesis is a tentative statement that is tested by research.

    2. A null hypothesis predicts a difference between groups.

    3. A good hypothesis must be testable.

    Which of the above are correct?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. 1 and 3 only

    A hypothesis is a testable, tentative proposition about variables; the null hypothesis states no relationship or difference.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  8. Q21 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q17

    Information about the ecological conditions, the type of housing and the size of the room in which a person lives is classed as

    1. APhysical information
    2. BDemographic information
    3. CPsychological information
    4. DPhysiological information
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Physical information

    NCERT lists four types of data: demographic, physical (environment and living conditions), physiological and psychological.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  9. Q22 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q20

    Rejecting a null hypothesis when it is actually true is known as

    1. AType II error
    2. BStandard error
    3. CConstant error
    4. DType I error
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. Type I error

    Type I error = rejecting a true H0; its probability is the significance level (alpha), e.g. 0.05.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

  10. Q23 DPO Psychology Mock 1, Q23

    Counterbalancing is used in experiments mainly to control

    1. AOrder effects such as practice and fatigue
    2. BDifferences in participants' age
    3. CNoise and light in the laboratory
    4. DErrors in scoring the test
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Order effects such as practice and fatigue

    When the same participants take part in all conditions, the order of conditions can affect results; counterbalancing controls these sequence effects.

    Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC District Probation Officer Paper II (Psychology) syllabus (12/2026)

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