AQA Psychology - Research Methods questions
with verified correct detailed answers 2025
Self-report techniques --- correct answers ---Any method in which a
person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions,
behaviors and experiences related to a given topic.
Questionnaire --- correct answers ---A set of written questions
(sometimes called items) used to access a persons'
thoughts/experiences
Strengths of questionnaires --- correct answers ---+ Cost effective
+ Can gather large amounts of data quickly
+ Can be completed without the researcher being present
Weaknesses of questionnaires --- correct answers ---- Can produce
response bias
- P.ps may misunderstand the question or read it incorrectly
- Demand Characteristics / Social Desirability may occur
,Open Questions --- correct answers ---Questions with no fixed
answer/response and respondents can answer in any way they wish.
Advantages & Disadvantages of an Open Question --- correct answers -
--+ Get more information
+ Produces qualitative data - depth and detail
- People can miss them out as they can't be bothered to answer them
- Harder to analyse
Closed Question --- correct answers ---Questions with a fixed answer/
the choice of response is determined by the question setter.
Advantages & Disadvantages of a Closed Question --- correct answers
---+ People have to same perception of the Q&A
+ 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 answers ---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 answers ---Made up of pre-
determined questions and are asked in a fixed order. Basically like a
questionnaire but conducted face to face.
Unstructured Interview --- correct answers ---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 answers ---There is a list of
questions that have been worked out in advance but interviewers are
also free to ask follow up questions when they feel it is appropriate.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Structured Interview --- correct answers --
-+ Straight forward to replicate
+ Reduces differences between interviews
+ Easier to analyse
+ Get answers you're looking for
- Get less information as P.ps can't deviate from the point
, - Don't find out people's worldwide views
Strengths & Weaknesses of Unstructured Interview --- correct
answers ---+ Can get more detailed answers as people can elaborate
+ More flexible as you can gain insight
- Not easy to replicate
- Not easy to analyse as you get irrelevant information
- Experimenter effects can occur
Leading Questions --- correct answers ---Encourages P.ps to give a
particular answer e.g don't you think...?
Ambiguity --- correct answers ---Questions which can be interpreted
in various ways. They can mean different things to different people.
Loaded Questions --- correct answers ---They are questions which
contain emotive language which is likely to produce an emotional
reaction in the respondent.
Double-barreled Questions --- correct answers ---They contain two
options within a single question.
with verified correct detailed answers 2025
Self-report techniques --- correct answers ---Any method in which a
person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions,
behaviors and experiences related to a given topic.
Questionnaire --- correct answers ---A set of written questions
(sometimes called items) used to access a persons'
thoughts/experiences
Strengths of questionnaires --- correct answers ---+ Cost effective
+ Can gather large amounts of data quickly
+ Can be completed without the researcher being present
Weaknesses of questionnaires --- correct answers ---- Can produce
response bias
- P.ps may misunderstand the question or read it incorrectly
- Demand Characteristics / Social Desirability may occur
,Open Questions --- correct answers ---Questions with no fixed
answer/response and respondents can answer in any way they wish.
Advantages & Disadvantages of an Open Question --- correct answers -
--+ Get more information
+ Produces qualitative data - depth and detail
- People can miss them out as they can't be bothered to answer them
- Harder to analyse
Closed Question --- correct answers ---Questions with a fixed answer/
the choice of response is determined by the question setter.
Advantages & Disadvantages of a Closed Question --- correct answers
---+ People have to same perception of the Q&A
+ 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 answers ---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 answers ---Made up of pre-
determined questions and are asked in a fixed order. Basically like a
questionnaire but conducted face to face.
Unstructured Interview --- correct answers ---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 answers ---There is a list of
questions that have been worked out in advance but interviewers are
also free to ask follow up questions when they feel it is appropriate.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Structured Interview --- correct answers --
-+ Straight forward to replicate
+ Reduces differences between interviews
+ Easier to analyse
+ Get answers you're looking for
- Get less information as P.ps can't deviate from the point
, - Don't find out people's worldwide views
Strengths & Weaknesses of Unstructured Interview --- correct
answers ---+ Can get more detailed answers as people can elaborate
+ More flexible as you can gain insight
- Not easy to replicate
- Not easy to analyse as you get irrelevant information
- Experimenter effects can occur
Leading Questions --- correct answers ---Encourages P.ps to give a
particular answer e.g don't you think...?
Ambiguity --- correct answers ---Questions which can be interpreted
in various ways. They can mean different things to different people.
Loaded Questions --- correct answers ---They are questions which
contain emotive language which is likely to produce an emotional
reaction in the respondent.
Double-barreled Questions --- correct answers ---They contain two
options within a single question.
