Research Methods in Psychology
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Questions and Answers

What is a primary disadvantage of a controlled observation?

  • It is too qualitative.
  • It decreases ecological validity. (correct)
  • It requires participants' consent.
  • It lacks reliability.

    • A naturalistic observation is conducted in a lab setting.

    False

    What type of investigation tests a hypothesis by manipulating an independent variable?

    Experiment

    A _______ is a qualitative research tool used to determine the presence of certain themes within data.

    <p>content analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following research methods with their characteristics:

    <p>Case study = Detailed study of a person or event Covert observation = Observer is hidden from participants Field experiment = Conducted in a real-life setting Interview = Self-report technique with flexible questions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not a type of experiment?

    <p>Controlled observation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Correlation indicates a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is reduced in covert observation to minimize demand characteristics?

    <p>Awareness of being observed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of non-participant observation?

    <p>Higher objectivity is achieved</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Overt observation conceals the fact that participants are being observed.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of questions are typically found in structured interviews?

    <p>Closed questions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In qualitative data collection, _____ observation allows the observer to engage with the participants during the observation.

    <p>participant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following observational techniques with their definitions:

    <p>Non-participant observation = Observer does not join the group Overt observation = Participants know they are being observed Structured interviews = Pre-set questions with no flexibility Unstructured interviews = Flexible questions in a conversational format</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes concurrent validity?

    <p>Test is similar to a well-established test</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Behavioural categories help in operationalizing participants' behaviors.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of variable is a confounding variable?

    <p>Extraneous variable related to the independent variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does random allocation refer to?

    <p>Assigning participants to conditions using a random method</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Stratified sampling ensures that each subgroup within a population is represented in the sample based on its proportion.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of using a pilot questionnaire?

    <p>To gather feedback on the clarity of the questions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In repeated measures, the same participants are tested under _______ conditions of the experiment.

    <p>all</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following sampling techniques with their definitions:

    <p>Random sampling = Participants are chosen at random from the population Systematic sampling = Selecting participants at regular intervals from a list Time sampling = Recording behaviors at specific time intervals Stratified sampling = Creating sub-groups and sampling proportionally from each</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes reliability?

    <p>The extent to which a test can be repeated with similar results</p> Signup and view all the answers

    ________ validity refers to how well results can be applied across different time periods.

    <p>Temporal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Test-retest reliability measures the variation in scores across different participants.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the range of values for a correlation coefficient?

    <p>-1 to 1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The mean only considers the middle value of a data set.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of sampling involves participants who volunteer to participate in a study?

    <p>Volunteer sampling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    _____ data is collected directly by the researcher themselves.

    <p>Primary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of data to its description:

    <p>Quantitative data = Numerical data that can be measured Qualitative data = Non-numerical data such as text or images Primary data = Data collected firsthand by the researcher Secondary data = Data collected by someone else</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which measure of central tendency can be influenced by outliers?

    <p>Mean</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Normal distribution is often referred to as the bell curve.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a measure that finds the most common value in a data set?

    <p>Mode</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a dependent variable?

    <p>A variable that changes in response to manipulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Counterbalancing is used to ensure that half of the participants experience different conditions in one order and the other half in the same order.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does ecological validity refer to?

    <p>The applicability of test results to real life situations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A hypothesis that specifies the direction of the relationship is known as a _______ hypothesis.

    <p>directional</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match each concept with its correct definition:

    <p>Demand characteristics = Changes in participants' behavior to align with the researcher's hypothesis Extraneous variable = Variables other than the independent variable that impact the dependent variable Face validity = Test's apparent validity at first glance Falsifiability = Ability to prove a statement wrong through observation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a confounding variable?

    <p>A variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Generalization refers to applying findings from a sample to a larger population.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an experiment testing anxiety effects on memory, _______ levels can act as an extraneous variable.

    <p>intelligence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the independent variable in a study examining the effects of anxiety on memory recall?

    <p>Anxiety</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Inter-observer reliability refers to the agreement between multiple observers based on their collected data.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'operationalisation' in the context of psychological research.

    <p>To clearly state and objectify a variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An experimental design that matches participants based on certain variables is called ______ pairs.

    <p>matched</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following concepts with their correct descriptions:

    <p>Pilot studies = Preliminary studies to ensure clarity Opportunity sampling = Sampling from available individuals Non-directional hypothesis = Hypothesis without specified direction Peer review = Assessment by experts in the field</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sampling technique involves collecting data from those who are readily available?

    <p>Opportunity sampling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An investigation effect is when investigators consciously modify their behavior to match their hypotheses.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'paradigm shift' in scientific research?

    <p>A change in accepted core concepts due to new evidence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Research Methods

    • Case studies: Detailed investigations of individuals, groups, or events, often yielding a large amount of information.
    • Content analysis: A method used to identify the presence of certain words, themes, or concepts in qualitative data.
    • Controlled observation: Observing participants in a lab setting, providing high control and reliability but potentially reducing ecological validity.
    • Correlation: Measures the relationship between two variables.
    • Covert observation: Observational method where participants are unaware of being observed, potentially reducing demand characteristics but raising ethical concerns about consent..
    • Experiments: Investigate hypotheses by manipulating an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable.
    • Field experiments: Conducted in real-life settings, improving ecological validity but decreasing control over extraneous variables.
    • Interviews: Self-report method where participants answer questions posed by an interviewer. Allows for flexibility in gathered information.
    • Laboratory experiments: Conducted in highly controlled environments, allowing precise control over extraneous variables, potentially compromising ecological validity.
    • Natural experiments: Observe pre-existing independent variables in natural settings, offering high ecological validity but reducing control over extraneous variables.
    • Naturalistic observation: Participants are observed in their natural environment, maintaining high ecological validity but with less control.

    Observation

    • Non-participant observation: The observer does not participate in the activity being observed, potentially increasing objectivity.
    • Participant observation: The observer participates in the activity being observed, possibly gaining deeper insights but potentially compromising objectivity.
    • Overt observation: Participants know they are being observed.
    • Covert observation: Participants do not know they are being observed.
    • Observation: A general approach to data collection where behavior is observed.

    Quasi-experiments

    • Quasi experiments are similar to true experiments but do not involve the manipulation of variables by researchers.
    • They investigate relationships between variables rather than cause-and-effect.
    • They are useful when manipulation is unethical or impractical, providing useful information.
    • See "Natural experiment".

    Questionnaires

    • Instruments where set questions are given to participants, often paper or electronic.
    • Allow for anonymity, a key feature for some studies.

    Interviews

    • Structured interviews: Pre-set questions, allowing for replication and comparability; these lack flexibility.
    • Unstructured interviews: Natural conversations, providing rich, detailed data, with less control over content and no repeatability.

    Scientific Processes

    • Abstract: Summary of the complete report in research reports.
    • Aims: The purpose or objective of an experiment.
    • Bias: A predisposition or inclination that could influence results or judgments.
    • Behavioural Categories: Categorizing behaviors into specific components; observable and measurable units.
    • Closed Questions: Questions that require a limited range of responses (e.g., yes/no).
    • Concurrent Validity: The extent to which a test measures what it aims to measure in comparison to an existing well-established test.
    • Confounding Variables: Variables that are correlated with the independent variable and also effect the dependent variable. These distort relationships.
    • Control Variables: Variables that remain unchanged during an experiment, isolating the influence of the independent variable.
    • Counterbalancing: An experimental design technique where participants experience conditions in different orders to control for order effects.
    • Demand Characteristics: Participants modify their behavior in response to cues or expectations about the experiment.
    • Dependent Variable: The variable that is measured in an experiment to determine the effect of the independent variable.
    • Directional Hypothesis: Hypothesis specifying the expected direction of a relationship between variables.
    • Ecological Validity: The extent to which results relate to the natural environment.
    • Event Sampling: Recording specific behavior events as they occur.
    • Extraneous Variables: Variables other than the independent variable that may impact the results.
    • Face Validity: The extent to which a test seems valid at a superficial level.
    • Falsifiability: The capacity for a hypothesis to be proven wrong.
    • Generalisation: Applying results from a sample to the broader population.
    • Hypotheses: A prediction of the outcome of an experiment.

    Experimental Designs

    • Independent Groups: Different participants are in each condition of the experiment.
    • Matched Pairs: Participants in different conditions are matched based on relevant characteristics to limit participant variables.
    • Repeated Measures: Same participants take part in all conditions of the experiment.

    Data Handling and Analysis

    • Bar charts: Graphical depiction of categorical data using numerical values.

    • Coding: Simplifying large amounts of text using keywords and themes.

    • Correlation: The relationship between two variables.

    • Correlation coefficient: A numerical value (-1 to +1) describing the strength and direction of a correlation.

    • Interval: A level of numeric measurement with equal distances between values.

    • Mean: The average of a group of data points.

    • Median: The middle number of a sorted set of data.

    • Mode: The most frequently occurring score in a data set.

    • Nominal: Categorical level of measurement; values are not ordered numerically.

    • Normal Distribution: A bell-shaped curve, common in many natural phenomena.

    • Ordinal: A level of measurement where data can be ranked but distances between values aren't equal.

    • Operationalisation: Defining abstract concepts in concrete, observable terms.

    • Opportunity Sampling: Gathering participants who are available at the time.

    • Paradigm: Set of core concepts that guide work in a specific field.

    • Paradigm Shift: Major shifts in a field's foundational concepts.

    • Peer Review: Evaluation of research by expert colleagues before publication.

    • Pilot Studies: Initial trial runs to evaluate and refine research methods.

    • Qualitative Data: Non-numerical data, e.g. descriptions of behavior or experiences.

    • Quantitative Data: Numerical data, e.g. counts, measurements.

    • Random Allocation: Assigning participants randomly to different conditions within an experiment.

    • Random Sampling: Selecting participants randomly from a population to ensure representation.

    • Range: The difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set.

    • Reliability: Consistent results when a test or study is repeated.

    • Repeated measures: Same participants complete all conditions.

    • Sampling Techniques: Methods of selecting participants for a study (such as Random Sampling, Opportunity Sampling, Volunteer Sampling).

    • Scattergrams: A graph showing the relationship between two variables; used for correlations.

    • Secondary Data: Data collected by others, pre-existing.

    • Skewed Distribution: A non-symmetrical distribution of data.

    • Standardisation: Ensuring that procedures and actions in an experiment are identical each time.

    • Standard Deviation: A measure of the spread of data around the mean.

    • Stratified Sampling: Division of the population into strata followed by selection of participants from each stratum.

    • Systematic Sampling: Selecting participants at fixed intervals from a population list.

    • Temporal Validity: The extent to which results can be applied across time periods (different time periods).

    • Test-retest Reliability: Consistency of a test over time.

    • Thematic Analysis: Identifying recurring patterns and themes in qualitative data.

    • Time Sampling: Observing and recording behavior at specified intervals

    • Validity: Accuracy of measuring what a test intends, whether it's face or concurrent.

    • Volunteer Sampling: Participants actively choose to participate.

    Data representation

    • Bar charts: Display categorical data with bars of varying heights, often using numerical values.
    • Scattergrams: Show the relationship between two variables by plotting data points on a graph; useful for correlations.

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    AQA Psychology A-level Research Methods PDF

    Description

    Test your understanding of various research methods in psychology, including observations, experiments, and qualitative tools. This quiz covers key concepts such as controlled and naturalistic observations, different types of interviews, and correlations. Perfect for psychology students looking to reinforce their knowledge.

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