RESEARCH METHODS AQA PSYCHOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED 100% GUARANTEED PASS
Aims
Developed from a theory and is a general statement that describes the purpose of the investigation
Hypothesis
Statement made at the start of a study and clearly states the relationship between variables
Can be directional (one-tailed) or non-directional (two-tailed)
Directional anticipates what sort of difference
Non-directional just states there is a difference (nature not specified)
Deciding Which Hypothesis to Use
Directional when findings of previous research studies suggest particular outcome
Non-directional when there's no previous research, or findings from earlier studies are contradictory
Independent Variable
Researcher changes or manipulates
Dependent Variable
,Records or measures effect of change on DV
Levels of the IV
2 levels, control condition and experimental condition
Operationalisation
How exactly to manipulate the IV and measure the DV
Extraneous Variables
Any variables that might potentially interfere with the IV or DV
Should be controlled or removed, essentially nuisance variables
Confounding Variables
DO change systematically with the IV
May affect DV therefore cannot be sure of true source of changes to DV
Demand Characteristics
Cues that help ppts to guess hypothesis
Please U or Screw U effects, behaviour no longer natural, extraneous variable
Investigator Effects
Characteristics/ behaviour of researcher which influences results
Randomisation
Use of chance in order to control for effect of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of
conditions (alternative to counterbalancing)
Standardisation
,Using exactly the same formulated procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study
Subject to same environment, information and experience
Experimental Design
Refers to how ppts are arranged in relation to the different experimental conditions
Independent Groups
2 separate groups of ppts experience 2 different conditions, performance would then be compared
Evaluation of Independent Groups
PROBLEMS
- Main problem is individual differences, to combat this random allocation is used
- Less economical (larger sample size)
POSITIVE
- Demand characteristics and order effects aren't a problem
Repeated Measures
All ppts take part in all conditions then compared to see if there's a difference (demand characteristics
more likely)
Evaluation of Repeated Measures
PROBLEMS
- Order effects, combat using counter balancing
- Demand characteristics (ppts guess aims)
POSITIVE
- Ppt variables controlled and fewer needed
, Matched Pairs
Ppts paired together on a variable or variables relevant to experiment, then one ppt from each pair
would be allocated to different condition, attempt to control participant variables
Evaluation of Matched Pairs
PROBLEM
- Time-consuming and expensive (pre-test)
POSITIVE
- Order effects and demand characteristics less of a problem and attempts to reduce ppt variables
Types of Experiment
Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi
Laboratory Experiments
Highly controlled environment
Researcher manipulated IV and records effect on DV
Maintaining strict control of extraneous variables
Evaluation of Laboratory Experiments
STRENGTHS
- High control over EV, ensure any effect on DV is due to IV > cause and effect = high internal validity
- Replication is more possible (vital for validity)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED 100% GUARANTEED PASS
Aims
Developed from a theory and is a general statement that describes the purpose of the investigation
Hypothesis
Statement made at the start of a study and clearly states the relationship between variables
Can be directional (one-tailed) or non-directional (two-tailed)
Directional anticipates what sort of difference
Non-directional just states there is a difference (nature not specified)
Deciding Which Hypothesis to Use
Directional when findings of previous research studies suggest particular outcome
Non-directional when there's no previous research, or findings from earlier studies are contradictory
Independent Variable
Researcher changes or manipulates
Dependent Variable
,Records or measures effect of change on DV
Levels of the IV
2 levels, control condition and experimental condition
Operationalisation
How exactly to manipulate the IV and measure the DV
Extraneous Variables
Any variables that might potentially interfere with the IV or DV
Should be controlled or removed, essentially nuisance variables
Confounding Variables
DO change systematically with the IV
May affect DV therefore cannot be sure of true source of changes to DV
Demand Characteristics
Cues that help ppts to guess hypothesis
Please U or Screw U effects, behaviour no longer natural, extraneous variable
Investigator Effects
Characteristics/ behaviour of researcher which influences results
Randomisation
Use of chance in order to control for effect of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of
conditions (alternative to counterbalancing)
Standardisation
,Using exactly the same formulated procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study
Subject to same environment, information and experience
Experimental Design
Refers to how ppts are arranged in relation to the different experimental conditions
Independent Groups
2 separate groups of ppts experience 2 different conditions, performance would then be compared
Evaluation of Independent Groups
PROBLEMS
- Main problem is individual differences, to combat this random allocation is used
- Less economical (larger sample size)
POSITIVE
- Demand characteristics and order effects aren't a problem
Repeated Measures
All ppts take part in all conditions then compared to see if there's a difference (demand characteristics
more likely)
Evaluation of Repeated Measures
PROBLEMS
- Order effects, combat using counter balancing
- Demand characteristics (ppts guess aims)
POSITIVE
- Ppt variables controlled and fewer needed
, Matched Pairs
Ppts paired together on a variable or variables relevant to experiment, then one ppt from each pair
would be allocated to different condition, attempt to control participant variables
Evaluation of Matched Pairs
PROBLEM
- Time-consuming and expensive (pre-test)
POSITIVE
- Order effects and demand characteristics less of a problem and attempts to reduce ppt variables
Types of Experiment
Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi
Laboratory Experiments
Highly controlled environment
Researcher manipulated IV and records effect on DV
Maintaining strict control of extraneous variables
Evaluation of Laboratory Experiments
STRENGTHS
- High control over EV, ensure any effect on DV is due to IV > cause and effect = high internal validity
- Replication is more possible (vital for validity)
