Level Psychology (9990) - Research Methods Exam
Questions and Answers 100% Accurate Solutions
Define what the independent variable (IV) is - Answer The factor under investigation in an experiment
which is manipulated to create two or more conditions (levels) and is expected to be responsible for
changes in the dependent variable.
Define what the dependent variable (DV) is - Answer The factor in an experiment which is measured and
is expected to change under the influence of the independent variable.
- The DV needs some form of operationalization, therefore researchers must clearly define how they will
measure.
Define what the control variable (CV) is - Answer A way to keep potential extraneous variable constant.
In an experiment, this would prevent the variable from affecting the DV in addition to instead of the IV.
- This makes the study more valid because it means the experimenter would be more likely to be able to
find a cause and effect relationship.
Define what the control condition is - Answer A level of the IV in an experiment from which the IV is
absent. It is compared to one or more experimental conditions.
Define what an extraneous variable is - Answer A variable which acts either randomly, affecting the DV
in all levels of the IV or systematically, i.e. on one level of the IV (called a confounding variable) so can
obscure the effect of the IV, making the results difficult to interpret.
Define what a confounding variable is - Answer Extraneous factors that affect the performance of
participants. In an experiment, they would therefore affect scores on the DV, and so could obscure the
effect of the IV.
Define operationalisation - Answer The definition of variables so that they can be accurately
manipulated, measured or quantified and replicated. This includes the IV and DV in experiments and the
two measured variables in correlations.
Explain the difference between qualitative & quantitative data - Answer - Quantitative data: numerical
results, about the quantity of a psychological measure (e.g. pulse rate or a score on an intelligence test)
,- Qualitative data: descriptive, in-depth results indicating the quality of a psychological characteristic
(e.g. responses to open questions or case studies and detailed observations).
Evaluate the strengths & weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative data - Answer QUANTITATIVE
Strengths:
- Easy to compare: data is numerical so statistical analysis is easy
- Objectivity: data is numerical, therefore there's a low chance of drawing invalid conclusions
- Reliable: scales or questions are often very reliable.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of insight: data is only numerical, doesn't tell us why participants behaved the way they did
- Reductionist approach: reduces complex ideas and behaviour to mere numbers and percentages.
QUALITATIVE
Strengths:
- Rich in data: in-depth, detailed representation of what the participants believe
- Insightful data: comes directly from participants, so we can understand the "why" (increasing validity)
Weaknesses:
- Subject to misinterpretation: depends on what the researcher will interpret and therefore can be
biased against the participant's views
- Researcher bias: the researcher may only select data that sits into their hypothesis or aim
- Generalisability: data from one or few individuals may not generalise to the majority.
Define what a study is - Answer A practical investigation that is conducted, analysed and written up to
build a bank of knowledge about human behaviour.
Define what research methods are - Answer The way we conduct the research study. It is the set of
scientific procedures we use to study a phenomenon.
, Recall the 5 research methods - Answer - Experiments
- Self-reports
- Case studies
- Observation
- Correlations
Define what an experiment is - Answer An investigation looking for a causal relationship in which an
independent variable is manipulated and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent
variable.
What are the 3 types of experiments? - Answer - Laboratory
- Field
- Natural
Define and describe the main features of each type of experiment - Answer - Laboratory experiment: a
research method in which there is an IV, DV and strict controls. It looks for a causal relationship and is
conducted in a setting that is not in the usual environment for the participants with regard to the
behaviour they are performing
- Field experiment: an investigation looking for a causal relationship in which an independent variable is
manipulated and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent variable. It is conducted in
the normal environment for the participants for the behaviour being investigated (note: the main
criticism of lab experiments is that they do not reflect real life, field experiments try to rectify this)
- Natural experiment: an investigation looking for a causal relationship in which the independent
variable cannot be directly manipulated by the experimenter. Instead, they study the effect of an
existing difference or change. Since the researcher cannot manipulate the levels of the IV it is not a "true
experiment".
LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
Identify the strengths & weaknesses of this type of experiment - Answer Strengths:
- Standardisation: high levels of standardisation so they can be replicated to test for reliability
- Control: researchers are confident that the IV is directly affecting the DV due to the level of control
Questions and Answers 100% Accurate Solutions
Define what the independent variable (IV) is - Answer The factor under investigation in an experiment
which is manipulated to create two or more conditions (levels) and is expected to be responsible for
changes in the dependent variable.
Define what the dependent variable (DV) is - Answer The factor in an experiment which is measured and
is expected to change under the influence of the independent variable.
- The DV needs some form of operationalization, therefore researchers must clearly define how they will
measure.
Define what the control variable (CV) is - Answer A way to keep potential extraneous variable constant.
In an experiment, this would prevent the variable from affecting the DV in addition to instead of the IV.
- This makes the study more valid because it means the experimenter would be more likely to be able to
find a cause and effect relationship.
Define what the control condition is - Answer A level of the IV in an experiment from which the IV is
absent. It is compared to one or more experimental conditions.
Define what an extraneous variable is - Answer A variable which acts either randomly, affecting the DV
in all levels of the IV or systematically, i.e. on one level of the IV (called a confounding variable) so can
obscure the effect of the IV, making the results difficult to interpret.
Define what a confounding variable is - Answer Extraneous factors that affect the performance of
participants. In an experiment, they would therefore affect scores on the DV, and so could obscure the
effect of the IV.
Define operationalisation - Answer The definition of variables so that they can be accurately
manipulated, measured or quantified and replicated. This includes the IV and DV in experiments and the
two measured variables in correlations.
Explain the difference between qualitative & quantitative data - Answer - Quantitative data: numerical
results, about the quantity of a psychological measure (e.g. pulse rate or a score on an intelligence test)
,- Qualitative data: descriptive, in-depth results indicating the quality of a psychological characteristic
(e.g. responses to open questions or case studies and detailed observations).
Evaluate the strengths & weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative data - Answer QUANTITATIVE
Strengths:
- Easy to compare: data is numerical so statistical analysis is easy
- Objectivity: data is numerical, therefore there's a low chance of drawing invalid conclusions
- Reliable: scales or questions are often very reliable.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of insight: data is only numerical, doesn't tell us why participants behaved the way they did
- Reductionist approach: reduces complex ideas and behaviour to mere numbers and percentages.
QUALITATIVE
Strengths:
- Rich in data: in-depth, detailed representation of what the participants believe
- Insightful data: comes directly from participants, so we can understand the "why" (increasing validity)
Weaknesses:
- Subject to misinterpretation: depends on what the researcher will interpret and therefore can be
biased against the participant's views
- Researcher bias: the researcher may only select data that sits into their hypothesis or aim
- Generalisability: data from one or few individuals may not generalise to the majority.
Define what a study is - Answer A practical investigation that is conducted, analysed and written up to
build a bank of knowledge about human behaviour.
Define what research methods are - Answer The way we conduct the research study. It is the set of
scientific procedures we use to study a phenomenon.
, Recall the 5 research methods - Answer - Experiments
- Self-reports
- Case studies
- Observation
- Correlations
Define what an experiment is - Answer An investigation looking for a causal relationship in which an
independent variable is manipulated and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent
variable.
What are the 3 types of experiments? - Answer - Laboratory
- Field
- Natural
Define and describe the main features of each type of experiment - Answer - Laboratory experiment: a
research method in which there is an IV, DV and strict controls. It looks for a causal relationship and is
conducted in a setting that is not in the usual environment for the participants with regard to the
behaviour they are performing
- Field experiment: an investigation looking for a causal relationship in which an independent variable is
manipulated and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent variable. It is conducted in
the normal environment for the participants for the behaviour being investigated (note: the main
criticism of lab experiments is that they do not reflect real life, field experiments try to rectify this)
- Natural experiment: an investigation looking for a causal relationship in which the independent
variable cannot be directly manipulated by the experimenter. Instead, they study the effect of an
existing difference or change. Since the researcher cannot manipulate the levels of the IV it is not a "true
experiment".
LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
Identify the strengths & weaknesses of this type of experiment - Answer Strengths:
- Standardisation: high levels of standardisation so they can be replicated to test for reliability
- Control: researchers are confident that the IV is directly affecting the DV due to the level of control
