AQA Psychology - Paper 2-Solved
Self-report techniques -CORRECT ANS-Any method involving asking PPs about their feelings, attitudes,
beliefs etc.
Questionnaire -CORRECT ANS-Questionnaires are a written self-report technique where participants are
given a pre-set number of questions to respond to. Can consist of either:
• Closed questions - a pre-determined set of answers to choose from
• Open questions - where there is no restriction on how participants make their response
Strengths of questionnaires -CORRECT ANS-+ Cost effective
+ Can gather large amounts of data quickly
+ Easy to analyse and generalise
Weaknesses of questionnaires -CORRECT ANS-- Can produce response bias
- PPs may misunderstand the question or read it incorrectly
- Demand Characteristics / Social Desirability may occur
Advantages & Disadvantages of an Open Question -CORRECT ANS-+ Allows PPs to elaborate, greater
insight
+ Produces qualitative data - depth and detail
- People can miss them out as they can't be bothered to answer them
- Harder to analyse
Advantages & Disadvantages of a Closed Question -CORRECT ANS-+ Quick and easy to answer
+ Quantitative data is easier to analyse
- Not detailed or in depth answers
- Don't find out the meaning behind the answer
, Interview -CORRECT ANS-A live encounter (face to face or on the phone) where one person asks a set of
questions to assess an interviewees thoughts/experiences. They can be structured, semi structured or
unstructured.
Structured Interview -CORRECT ANS-Made up of pre-determined questions and are asked in a fixed
order.
Unstructured Interview -CORRECT ANS-Works like a conversation. There are no set questions. There is a
general aim that a certain topic will be discussed and interaction tends to be free flowing.
Semi-structured Interview -CORRECT ANS-There is a list of questions that have been worked out in
advance but interviewers are also free to ask follow up questions or deviate when they feel it is
appropriate.
Double-barreled Questions -CORRECT ANS-They contain two options within a single question.
Aim -CORRECT ANS-Identifies the purpose of the investigation
Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-A precise, testable statement of what the researcher predicts will be the the
outcome of the study
Directional Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-The researcher makes it clear what difference is anticipated
between the 2 conditions or groups.
(One tailed).
Non-directional Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-Simply states that there is a difference but not what the
difference will be.
Null Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-There will be no relationship between the 2 variables. 'There will be no
significant difference'
Alternative/Experimental Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-States that there is a relationship between the 2
variables. 'There will be a significant difference'
Self-report techniques -CORRECT ANS-Any method involving asking PPs about their feelings, attitudes,
beliefs etc.
Questionnaire -CORRECT ANS-Questionnaires are a written self-report technique where participants are
given a pre-set number of questions to respond to. Can consist of either:
• Closed questions - a pre-determined set of answers to choose from
• Open questions - where there is no restriction on how participants make their response
Strengths of questionnaires -CORRECT ANS-+ Cost effective
+ Can gather large amounts of data quickly
+ Easy to analyse and generalise
Weaknesses of questionnaires -CORRECT ANS-- Can produce response bias
- PPs may misunderstand the question or read it incorrectly
- Demand Characteristics / Social Desirability may occur
Advantages & Disadvantages of an Open Question -CORRECT ANS-+ Allows PPs to elaborate, greater
insight
+ Produces qualitative data - depth and detail
- People can miss them out as they can't be bothered to answer them
- Harder to analyse
Advantages & Disadvantages of a Closed Question -CORRECT ANS-+ Quick and easy to answer
+ Quantitative data is easier to analyse
- Not detailed or in depth answers
- Don't find out the meaning behind the answer
, Interview -CORRECT ANS-A live encounter (face to face or on the phone) where one person asks a set of
questions to assess an interviewees thoughts/experiences. They can be structured, semi structured or
unstructured.
Structured Interview -CORRECT ANS-Made up of pre-determined questions and are asked in a fixed
order.
Unstructured Interview -CORRECT ANS-Works like a conversation. There are no set questions. There is a
general aim that a certain topic will be discussed and interaction tends to be free flowing.
Semi-structured Interview -CORRECT ANS-There is a list of questions that have been worked out in
advance but interviewers are also free to ask follow up questions or deviate when they feel it is
appropriate.
Double-barreled Questions -CORRECT ANS-They contain two options within a single question.
Aim -CORRECT ANS-Identifies the purpose of the investigation
Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-A precise, testable statement of what the researcher predicts will be the the
outcome of the study
Directional Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-The researcher makes it clear what difference is anticipated
between the 2 conditions or groups.
(One tailed).
Non-directional Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-Simply states that there is a difference but not what the
difference will be.
Null Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-There will be no relationship between the 2 variables. 'There will be no
significant difference'
Alternative/Experimental Hypothesis -CORRECT ANS-States that there is a relationship between the 2
variables. 'There will be a significant difference'
