A-level Psychology - Research methods
Exam 2026 Questions and Answers
Aim - Correct answer-A general expression of what the researcher intends to
investigate
Hypothesis - Correct answer-A precise and operationalised statement about the
assumed relationship between variables
Directional Hypothesis - Correct answer-States the direction of the predicted
difference between two conditions or two groups of participants
Non-directional Hypothesis - Correct answer-Predicts simply that there is a
difference between two conditions or two groups of participants without stating the
direction of the difference
Independent Variable - Correct answer-Some event that either naturally varies or is
directly manipulated by an experiment in order to test it's effect on another variable
Dependent Variable - Correct answer-A measurable outcome of the action of the
independent variable in an experiment
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,Operationalise - Correct answer-Ensuring that variables are in a form that can be
easily measured.
Experimental method - Correct answer-A researcher causes the independent
variable to vary and records the effect of the IV on the dependent variable. The DV
must be operationalised.
Control - Correct answer-(Refers to) The extent to which any variable is held
constant or regulated by a researcher
Extraneous Variables - Correct answer-'Nuisance' variables that do not vary
systematically with the IV. A researcher may control some of these.
Confounding Variable - Correct answer-Change systematically with the IV so we
cannot be sure if any observed change in the DV is due to the CV or the IV. CVs
must be controlled.
Demand Characteristics - Correct answer-Refers to any cue from the researcher or
research situation that may reveal the aim of the study
Investigator Effect - Correct answer-Any effect of the investigator's behaviour on
the outcome of the research (the DV)
Randomisation - Correct answer-The use of chance when designing investigations
to control for the effects of bias
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, Standardisation - Correct answer-Using exactly the same formalised procedures for
all ps in a research study
Control groups - Correct answer-Control groups are used for the purpose of setting
a comparison. They act as a 'baseline' and help establish causation.
Single Blind Design - Correct answer-A ps doesn't know the aims of the study so
that demand characteristics are reduced.
Double Blind Design - Correct answer-Both ps and researcher don't know the aims
of the study to reduce demand characteristics and investigator effects.
Participant Variables - Correct answer-Individual differences. Differences among
participants, overcome by a large sample size which dilutes any extremes
Situational Variables - Correct answer-People act differently in different situations.
Time of day, Lab setting vs Natural setting
Validity - Correct answer-(Refers to) Whether an observed effect is a genuine one
External Validity - Correct answer-The degree to which a research finding can be
generalised
Ecological Validity - Correct answer-A type of External Validity - generalising to
other settings
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Exam 2026 Questions and Answers
Aim - Correct answer-A general expression of what the researcher intends to
investigate
Hypothesis - Correct answer-A precise and operationalised statement about the
assumed relationship between variables
Directional Hypothesis - Correct answer-States the direction of the predicted
difference between two conditions or two groups of participants
Non-directional Hypothesis - Correct answer-Predicts simply that there is a
difference between two conditions or two groups of participants without stating the
direction of the difference
Independent Variable - Correct answer-Some event that either naturally varies or is
directly manipulated by an experiment in order to test it's effect on another variable
Dependent Variable - Correct answer-A measurable outcome of the action of the
independent variable in an experiment
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 1
,Operationalise - Correct answer-Ensuring that variables are in a form that can be
easily measured.
Experimental method - Correct answer-A researcher causes the independent
variable to vary and records the effect of the IV on the dependent variable. The DV
must be operationalised.
Control - Correct answer-(Refers to) The extent to which any variable is held
constant or regulated by a researcher
Extraneous Variables - Correct answer-'Nuisance' variables that do not vary
systematically with the IV. A researcher may control some of these.
Confounding Variable - Correct answer-Change systematically with the IV so we
cannot be sure if any observed change in the DV is due to the CV or the IV. CVs
must be controlled.
Demand Characteristics - Correct answer-Refers to any cue from the researcher or
research situation that may reveal the aim of the study
Investigator Effect - Correct answer-Any effect of the investigator's behaviour on
the outcome of the research (the DV)
Randomisation - Correct answer-The use of chance when designing investigations
to control for the effects of bias
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 2
, Standardisation - Correct answer-Using exactly the same formalised procedures for
all ps in a research study
Control groups - Correct answer-Control groups are used for the purpose of setting
a comparison. They act as a 'baseline' and help establish causation.
Single Blind Design - Correct answer-A ps doesn't know the aims of the study so
that demand characteristics are reduced.
Double Blind Design - Correct answer-Both ps and researcher don't know the aims
of the study to reduce demand characteristics and investigator effects.
Participant Variables - Correct answer-Individual differences. Differences among
participants, overcome by a large sample size which dilutes any extremes
Situational Variables - Correct answer-People act differently in different situations.
Time of day, Lab setting vs Natural setting
Validity - Correct answer-(Refers to) Whether an observed effect is a genuine one
External Validity - Correct answer-The degree to which a research finding can be
generalised
Ecological Validity - Correct answer-A type of External Validity - generalising to
other settings
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 3
