Experiments

• What is the focus of OCR Psychology A-level Paper 1?

  Research Methods
• Why are different types of research methods used in psychological research?

  To scientifically investigate issues and gain understanding
• What are the key aspects to consider when designing an experiment?

  • Experimental design
  • Laboratory, Field or Quasi
  • Hypotheses
  • Sample and sampling method
  • Ethics
  • Independent, dependent and control variables
• What is an experiment in psychological research?

  A method of testing a hypothesis by manipulating an independent variable
• What is the independent variable in an experiment?

  The variable that is being changed
• What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

  The outcome that is measured as a result of changes
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Independent Measures Design?

  Strengths:

  • Less likely to experience fatigue or practice effects
  • Easier to establish effects of the independent variable

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Impossible to control individual differences
  • Requires a larger sample size
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Repeated Measures Design?

  Strengths:

  • Reduces individual differences
  • Smaller sample size required

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Participants may guess the aim of the task
  • Order and fatigue effects can distort results
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Matched Pairs Design?

  Strengths:

  • Reduces order/practice/fatigue effects
  • Less chance of guessing the study's aim

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Difficult and time-consuming to match participants
  • Shared characteristics may affect behavior differently
• What is a Laboratory Experiment?

  An experiment conducted in a highly controlled environment
• What is a Field Experiment?

  An experiment conducted in a natural setting with clear IV and DV
• What is a Quasi Experiment?

  An experiment where the IV is not manipulated but is naturally occurring
• What is the difference between a Null Hypothesis and an Alternate Hypothesis?

  • Null Hypothesis: Predicts no effect of the IV on the DV
  • Alternate Hypothesis: Predicts a significant relationship between the IV and DV
• What is a One-tailed Hypothesis?

  A hypothesis predicting the exact direction of the effect
• What is a Two-tailed Hypothesis?

  A hypothesis predicting an effect without specifying the direction
• What does it mean to operationalize a hypothesis?

  • Clearly defining variables
  • Making predictions unambiguous
  • Including measurable details
• What is a Type 1 Error?

  The rejection of a true null hypothesis
• What is a Type 2 Error?

  Failing to reject a false null hypothesis
• What are the characteristics of a good sample in psychological research?

  • Represents the target population
  • Is unbiased
• What are the types of sample bias to be aware of?

  • Gender Bias
  • Androcentric Bias
  • Gynocentric Bias
  • Cultural Bias
  • Ethnocentric Bias
  • Population Validity
• What is Opportunity Sampling?

  • Sample gathered from available participants
  • Quick and time-efficient
  • May not be representative
• What is Self-Selecting Sampling?

  • Participants choose to take part
  • Likely to commit and be involved
  • Potential for bias in participant characteristics
• What is Snowball Sampling?

  • Participants recruit others for the study
  • Useful for hard-to-reach populations
  • Potential for bias due to shared characteristics
• What is Random Sampling?

  • Each member has an equal chance of selection
  • Aims for a representative sample
  • Can be time-consuming and may not yield consent
• What is Stratified Sampling?

  • Proportional representation of different strata
  • Aims for no biases
  • Difficult and costly to implement
• What are the four groups of ethical considerations in psychological research?

  • Respect
  • Competence
  • Responsibility
  • Integrity
• What does 'Informed Consent' entail in psychological research?

  • Participants must give explicit consent
  • They should be aware of their right to withdraw
• What is the importance of 'Debriefing' in psychological research?

  • Clarifies the study's aim post-experiment
  • Addresses participant questions and concerns
• What is the role of 'Deception' in psychological research?

  • Researchers must be honest about the study
  • Deception should only be used for methodological reasons
• What is the Independent Variable in an experiment?

  The variable that is changed
• What is the Dependent Variable in an experiment?

  The variable that is measured
• What are Control Variables in an experiment?

  Extraneous variables that are controlled
• What are Individual Variables in psychological research?

  Variances in each person that can affect results
• What are Confounding Variables?

  Outside influences that alter the dependent variable