AQA Psychology Research Methods Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are two ways of minimizing extraneous variables?

Randomly assigning participants (correct)

Using a control group

Changing the IV

Standardised procedures (correct)

What is a standardised procedure?

Ensure conditions are set up the same way apart from changing the IV

What is social desirability bias?

When people want to look good so they act differently in a study

What are demand characteristics?

Participants change natural behavior because they know it's a study Signup and view all the answers

What is a confounding variable?

Variables that vary along with the IV Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a directional and a non-directional hypothesis?

Directional predicts the direction of results. Non-directional predicts there will be a difference between conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a null hypothesis?

States there will be no significant effect in the study Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of experiments?

Laboratory, field, natural, and quasi experiments Signup and view all the answers

What is a laboratory experiment?

Environment controlled by experimenter and IV manipulated Signup and view all the answers

What is the evaluation for a laboratory experiment?

Strength: Have control, certain IV causes DV. High replicability. Weakness: Demand characteristics, artificial environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a field experiment?

In a natural setting, IV manipulated by researcher Signup and view all the answers

What is the evaluation for a field experiment?

Strengths: Less demand characteristics. High external validity. Weaknesses: Less control on extraneous variables. Ethical issues (deception). Signup and view all the answers

What is a natural experiment?

In natural environment, IV not manipulated by researcher Signup and view all the answers

What is the evaluation for a natural experiment?

Strengths: Genuine behaviour. Can study unchangeable variables. Weaknesses: No random assignment. More extraneous variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is a quasi experiment?

In controlled environment, study based on existing IV e.g. gender Signup and view all the answers

What is the evaluation for a quasi experiment?

Strengths: Compare conditions impossible to manipulate. Weaknesses: Not possible to randomly allocate participants. Signup and view all the answers

What is experimental design?

How the participants are allocated to conditions in an experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is repeated measures design?

Same participants used in both conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is a strength and weakness of repeated measures design?

Strength: No participant differences. Weakness: Order effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is independent groups design?

Participants only take part in one condition Signup and view all the answers

What is a strength and weakness of independent groups?

Strength: No order effects. Weakness: Participant differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is matched pairs design?

Participants are matched with a pair like them and then they are randomly allocated. Signup and view all the answers

What is a strength and weakness of matched pairs design?

Strength: No order effects. Weakness: Time consuming and more participants required. Signup and view all the answers

What is a representative sample?

A small group of people that characteristically represent the target population. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different types of sampling techniques?

Random, opportunity, volunteer, systematic, stratified. Signup and view all the answers

What is random sampling?

Everyone has an equal chance of being picked, e.g., pulling names out of a hat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the evaluation of random sampling?

Pros: More representative, equal chance. Cons: May not be truly representative. Signup and view all the answers

What is systematic sampling?

There is a system for selecting participants, e.g., putting names in order and picking every 5th person. Signup and view all the answers

What is the evaluation of systematic sampling?

Pros: Avoids researcher bias. Cons: Fairly representative (unlikely to get all one gender). Signup and view all the answers

What is stratified sampling?

The target population is divided by factors and participants are selected to make the sample representative. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Extraneous Variables

Minimize extraneous variables using standardised procedures and random assignment of participants.

Standardised Procedure

Conditions in an experiment are consistently set up the same, isolating the independent variable (IV).

Participants may alter their behavior to appear favorable, impacting the authenticity of data collected.

Demand Characteristics

Awareness of being observed in a study can lead participants to change their natural behavior, skewing results.

Confounding Variable

Variables that fluctuate alongside the IV, making it difficult to pinpoint the cause of observed effects.

Hypotheses

Directional Hypothesis: Predicts the specific direction of results.
Non-Directional Hypothesis: Predicts there will be a difference between conditions without specifying direction.
Null Hypothesis: Assumes no significant effect in the study.

Types of Experiments

Laboratory Experiments: Conducted in controlled environments where the IV is manipulated.
Field Experiments: Set in natural settings with the IV manipulated by the researcher.
Natural Experiments: Occur in natural environments where the researcher does not influence the IV.
Quasi Experiments: Control with pre-existing conditions, like gender, as the IV.

Evaluation of Experiment Types

Laboratory Experiment: Advantages include high control and replicability; disadvantages are demand characteristics and artificiality.
Field Experiment: Advantages are reduced demand characteristics and increased external validity; disadvantages include limited control over extraneous variables and ethical concerns.
Natural Experiment: Advantages consist of observing genuine behavior and studying unchangeable variables; disadvantages include lack of random assignment and presence of extraneous variables.
Quasi Experiment: Advantages allow comparison of conditions that can't be manipulated; disadvantages include inability to randomly allocate participants.

Experimental Design

The allocation of participants to different conditions plays a crucial role in experiment validity.

Types of Experimental Designs

Repeated Measures Design: Same participants are used across all conditions.
- Strengths include no participant differences; weaknesses involve order effects.
Independent Groups Design: Different participants are assigned to each condition.
- Strengths eliminate order effects; weaknesses introduce participant differences.
Matched Pairs Design: Participants are paired based on similar characteristics and randomly assigned to conditions.
- Strengths prevent order effects; weaknesses are time-consuming and require more participants.

Sampling Techniques

Representative Sample: A small cohort that reflects the characteristics of the target population.
Types of Sampling Techniques: Include random, opportunity, volunteer, systematic, and stratified sampling.

Random Sampling

Each individual has an equal chance of selection, enhancing representativeness.
Pros include increased representation; cons involve the risk of not being truly representative.

Systematic Sampling

Participants are selected based on a fixed system, such as picking every nth individual.
Pros avoid researcher bias; cons may not be fully representative of diverse populations.

Stratified Sampling

The target population is divided into subgroups, and participants are selected to ensure representation of these groups.
Overall, more representative samples; limitations arise when not all demographic factors can be accounted for.

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Test your knowledge of key research methods in psychology with these flashcards. Cover important concepts such as minimizing extraneous variables, standardized procedures, and social desirability bias. Perfect for AQA psychology students preparing for exams.