AQA Psychology Flashcards PDF

Comprehensive Flashcards with Evaluations - AQA Psychology ========================================================== Experimental Methods -------------------- - Q: What is the aim of a study? - A: A general statement about what the researcher plans to investigate. - Q: Define hypothes...

Comprehensive Flashcards with Evaluations - AQA Psychology ========================================================== Experimental Methods -------------------- - Q: What is the aim of a study? - A: A general statement about what the researcher plans to investigate. - Q: Define hypothesis. - A: A precise statement of the relationship between variables being investigated. - Q: What are independent and dependent variables? - A: IV is manipulated, and DV is measured in response to changes in the IV. Types of Experiments -------------------- - Q: What is a laboratory experiment? - A: An experiment conducted in a controlled environment. - Strength: High control over variables; replicable. - Limitation: Low ecological validity; demand characteristics may affect results. - Q: What is a field experiment? - A: An experiment conducted in a natural environment with some control over variables. - Strength: Higher ecological validity than lab experiments; natural behavior. - Limitation: Lower control over extraneous variables; ethical concerns like privacy. - Q: Define natural experiment. - A: An experiment where the IV occurs naturally (e.g., a natural disaster). - Strength: Allows study of events that cannot be manipulated for ethical reasons; high external validity. - Limitation: Hard to replicate; confounding variables are hard to control. Sampling Methods ---------------- - Q: What is opportunity sampling? - A: Participants are recruited based on availability. - Strength: Quick and easy to implement; less costly. - Limitation: Not representative; potential researcher bias. - Q: Define random sampling. - A: Every member of the population has an equal chance of selection. - Strength: No researcher bias; often representative. - Limitation: Time-consuming; sample might still not represent the population due to refusals. Observational Techniques ------------------------ - Q: What is naturalistic observation? - A: Behavior is observed in its natural setting. - Strength: High ecological validity; real-world relevance. - Limitation: Uncontrolled extraneous variables; replication is challenging. - Q: Define covert observation. - A: Participants are unaware of being observed. - Strength: Reduces demand characteristics; captures authentic behavior. - Limitation: Ethical concerns over lack of informed consent. Data Analysis ------------- - Q: What are measures of central tendency? - A: Ways to calculate an average (mean, median, mode). - Strength: Summarizes large datasets; identifies central patterns. - Limitation: Each measure has limitations (e.g., mean is influenced by outliers). - Q: What is qualitative data? - A: Non-numerical data (e.g., interviews, text). - Strength: Rich and detailed; captures participant perspectives. - Limitation: Harder to analyze; subjective interpretations may bias conclusions. - Q: What is quantitative data? - A: Numerical data (e.g., test scores, measurements). - Strength: Easy to analyze; enables comparisons and statistical analysis. - Limitation: Lacks depth and context; may oversimplify findings. Ethical Issues -------------- - Q: What is informed consent? - A: Participants must be fully aware of study aims and potential risks before agreeing to participate. - Strength: Ensures ethical participation; builds trust with participants. - Limitation: Full disclosure can increase demand characteristics. - Q: What is deception? - A: Misleading participants about the true purpose of the study. - Strength: Allows natural behavior in certain studies; avoids demand characteristics. - Limitation: May cause distress or harm if participants feel betrayed.