personal investigations

• What is the aim of the research?


  To see if there is a relationship between conscientiousness and performance on a Stroop test.
• What is the alternative hypothesis in the study?


  There will be a positive correlation between performance in a Stroop test and conscientiousness scores in a personality test.
• Why was a directional hypothesis chosen for this study?


  Because previous research suggests that conscientiousness correlates positively with Stroop test performance.
• What is the null hypothesis stated in the research?


  There will be no significant correlation between performance in a Stroop test and conscientiousness scores in a personality test.
• What are the co-variables identified in the study?


  CV1 = Stroop Test Performance, CV2 = Conscientiousness Score.
• How is Stroop test performance operationalized in the study?


  By measuring the Stroop effect (average score in ms for incongruent condition minus the average score in ms for congruent condition).
• How is conscientiousness measured in the study?


  By a ‘Big 5’ personality test and expressed as a score out of 40.
• What extraneous variable was considered before conducting the research?


  The time of day, as it may affect participants' Stroop test scores due to fatigue.
• How was the extraneous variable of time of day dealt with in the study?


  By conducting the Stroop test and personality testing in the morning for all participants.
• What confounding variable was considered in the research?


  Age, as it could affect cognitive processing and Stroop scores.
• How was the confounding variable of age addressed in the study?


  By choosing students of a similar age (15-16) from the same year group within the school.
• What internal validity issue was considered in the study?

  Social desirability, as participants may give socially desirable responses in the personality test.
• How was the issue of social desirability dealt with in the study?


  By ensuring anonymity and allowing participants to complete the test in a quiet environment, along with including lie scale questions.
• What external validity issue was identified in the research?


  Low population validity due to using a sample of female students of a similar age.
• How was population validity improved in the study?


  By stratifying the sample based on academic ability before randomly selecting students from each category.
• How was validity assessed in the correlational research?


  By using measures that are high in construct validity, supported by extensive empirical research.
• What internal reliability issue was considered in the study?


  The reliability and consistency of the Stroop test results.
• How was internal reliability ensured in the study?


  By having each participant take the Stroop test three times and calculating an average score.
• What external reliability issue was addressed in the study?


  The replicability of the study by ensuring consistent conditions for all participants.
• How was external reliability ensured in the study?


  By keeping the same room, light, temperature, and using identical instructions for all participants.
• What method was used to assess reliability in the experiment?


  A split-half test was used to ensure the reliability of the study.
• What sampling method was used in the study?


  Random stratified sampling.
• How were participants collected for the study?

  By stratifying students based on maths sets and randomly selecting from each group.
• What is one advantage of using random stratified sampling?


  It provides a more representative set of students across different maths abilities.
• What is one disadvantage of using random stratified sampling?


  It is more time-consuming to organize compared to other sampling methods.
• Who were the participants in the correlational research?


  Female students aged between 15 and 16 who are members of the school.
• Where was the research conducted?

  In a lab environment with controlled classroom settings.
• Why was the lab environment appropriate for the research?


  It allowed for control of variables, increasing reliability and validity.
• What is one strength of using correlational research in this study?


  It allows for the assessment of both the strength and direction of the relationship between conscientiousness and cognitive performance.
• What is one weakness of using correlational research?


  It is difficult to establish cause and effect relationships.
• How was ethical consideration addressed in the research?


  By offering participants the right to withdraw and ensuring informed consent from parents.
• What support was offered to participants after the Stroop test?


  Appropriate support via school counseling services for anyone suffering from anxiety.
• How was informed consent ensured for the vulnerable group of participants?


  By sending consent forms home to parents outlining the study details and ethical guidelines.
• What procedure should a researcher follow to replicate the study?


  Collect a sample of 45 5th year female students using stratified random sampling and follow the outlined testing procedures.
• What are the steps involved in conducting the research?

  1. Obtain a sample of 45 5th year female students via stratified random sampling.
  2. Administer a personality questionnaire in a controlled lab environment.
  3. Conduct a Stroop test in a second controlled lab.
  4. Average Stroop scores and analyze data using correlational statistical testing.
  5. Debrief participants and offer support if needed.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of correlational research in this study?


  Strengths:

  • Allows assessment of strength and direction of relationships.
  • Can make predictions about cognitive performance based on personality traits.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Difficult to establish cause and effect.
  • Correlation does not imply causation.