research methods

• What does the AQA AS/A level psychology specification require knowledge of in research methods?

  Experimental method and observational techniques
• What is the experimental method in psychology?

  It involves manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect
• How are participants allocated in experiments?

  Randomly allocated without bias
• Why is standardization important in experiments?

  It keeps procedures the same for all participants
• What is manipulated in an experiment?

  The independent variable (IV)
• What is the purpose of manipulating the independent variable?

  To see its effect on the dependent variable
• If coffee consumption is the IV, what could be the DV?

  Reaction time
• Why must variables be operationalized in experiments?

  To manipulate and measure their effects accurately
• How many types of experiments are identified in A level psychology?

  Four types
• What are the four types of experiments in psychology?

  1. Laboratory experiments
  2. Field experiments
  3. Natural experiments
  4. Quasi-experiments
• What characterizes laboratory experiments?

  Conducted in a controlled setting
• Why do laboratory experiments have high internal validity?

  Researchers can control all variables
• What is a key difference between field experiments and laboratory experiments?

  Field experiments occur in natural environments
• How do field experiments generate realistic behavior?

  Participants may not be aware of being observed
• What is a natural experiment?

  Conducted when IV manipulation is not possible
• What was the IV in Charlton et al.'s (2000) study?

  The introduction of television
• What is a quasi-experiment?

  IV is naturally occurring, not manipulated
• What is a weakness of quasi-experiments?

  Randomization is not used with samples
• What is a strength of quasi-experiments?

  They allow testing of naturally occurring IVs
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of quasi-experiments?

  Strengths:

  • Test naturally occurring IVs
  • More realistic and ecologically valid

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • No randomization limits causal associations
  • Groups may not be comparable
• What are the two principal methods for self-reporting?

  Questionnaires and interviews
• What is a questionnaire?

  A list of predetermined questions
• What are the types of observational techniques in psychology?

  1. Naturalistic observation
  2. Controlled observation
  3. Covert observation
  4. Overt observation
  5. Participant observation
  6. Non-participant observation
• What is naturalistic observation?

  Behavior studied in a natural situation
• What is controlled observation?

  Variables in the environment are altered
• What is a strength of naturalistic observations?

  Behavior observed is more realistic
• What is a weakness of naturalistic observations?

  Inability to manipulate variables limits causality
• What is a strength of controlled observations?

  Isolate independent variable more directly
• What is a weakness of controlled observations?

  Less realistic and lack ecological validity
• What is covert observation?

  Participants are unaware they are being observed
• What is overt observation?

  Participants are aware they are being observed
• What is participant observation?

  Observers actively involved in the situation
• What is non-participant observation?

  Observers do not engage with participants
• What is the purpose of self-report techniques?

  To understand behavior through participant reports
• What are structured interviews?

  Interviews with predetermined questions
• What are unstructured interviews?

  Interviews without predetermined questions
• How do questionnaires gather data?

  Participants respond to predetermined questions
• What is the role of observational techniques in experiments?

  To measure the dependent variable
• Why might naturalistic observations be difficult to set up?

  They require a natural habitat for behavior
• What is the main goal of observational studies?

  To record behavior as it occurs