AS Level Psychology (9990) - Research
Methods graded Awith complete
solutions
Define what the independent variable (IV) is - correct answerThe 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 - correct answerThe 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 operationalisation, therefore researchers must clearly define how they will
measure.
Define what the control variable (CV) is - correct answerA 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 - correct answerA 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 - correct answerA 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 - correct answerExtraneous 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 - correct answerThe 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.
,AS Level Psychology (9990) - Research
Methods graded Awith complete
solutions
Explain the difference between qualitative & quantitative data - correct 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 - correct
answerQUANTITATIVE
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.
, AS Level Psychology (9990) - Research
Methods graded Awith complete
solutions
Define what a study is - correct answerA practical investigation that is conducted, analysed and written
up to build a bank of knowledge about human behaviour.
Define what research methods are - correct answerThe way we conduct the research study. It is the set
of scientific procedures we use to study a phenomenon.
Recall the 5 research methods - correct answer- Experiments
- Self-reports
- Case studies
- Observation
- Correlations
Define what an experiment is - correct answerAn 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? - correct answer- Laboratory
- Field
- Natural
Define and describe the main features of each type of experiment - correct 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)
Methods graded Awith complete
solutions
Define what the independent variable (IV) is - correct answerThe 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 - correct answerThe 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 operationalisation, therefore researchers must clearly define how they will
measure.
Define what the control variable (CV) is - correct answerA 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 - correct answerA 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 - correct answerA 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 - correct answerExtraneous 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 - correct answerThe 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.
,AS Level Psychology (9990) - Research
Methods graded Awith complete
solutions
Explain the difference between qualitative & quantitative data - correct 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 - correct
answerQUANTITATIVE
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.
, AS Level Psychology (9990) - Research
Methods graded Awith complete
solutions
Define what a study is - correct answerA practical investigation that is conducted, analysed and written
up to build a bank of knowledge about human behaviour.
Define what research methods are - correct answerThe way we conduct the research study. It is the set
of scientific procedures we use to study a phenomenon.
Recall the 5 research methods - correct answer- Experiments
- Self-reports
- Case studies
- Observation
- Correlations
Define what an experiment is - correct answerAn 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? - correct answer- Laboratory
- Field
- Natural
Define and describe the main features of each type of experiment - correct 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)
