GCSE Psychology (AQA) 2024: Research Methods Part 1

explanation for behaviour, tested using objective research methods

general statement explaining the purpose of a study (to investigate)

deliberately changed

what is being measured

making variables clearly defined and measured

• clear and precise testable statement

- states the relationship between the variables being investigated

statement of a relationship between variables (there is a difference)

statement of no relationship between variables (there is no difference)

the only thing that should cause a change in the DV is the IV

• unwanted “extra variables” that may interfere with the relationship between the IV and DV

• can affect DV

the researcher cannot truly know what caused the change in the DV

its important to design studies in a systematic way in order to control possible extraneous variables

• all participants must receive exactly the same information throughout an investigation (standardised)

• this ensure that what is said to participants doesn’t act as an EV

• using the exact same methods and procedures for participants in a research study

• to control EVs

• only the IV should vary

-using chance (eg.flipping a coin) to control effects of a bias when designing a study

• characteristics of a study that may give away the purpose of the experiment

• participants might become aware of aim

• participants may change their behaviour to be seen in a better light/different way

looks at a measurable change in the DV caused by a change to the IV
(quantitative approach

• experimenter has a high control over what happens

- takes place in a laboratory

strengths:
weaknesses:
-behaviour in a lab is less “normal”-difficult to generalise
-participants may change their behavior (they’re aware that they’re being watched)

• takes place in a natural setting

- IV is manipulated by experimenter

strengths:
-more realistic than lab experiments (natural environment)
-can use standardised procedures (some control)
weaknesses:
-may lose control of EVs (difficult to show cause and effect)
-ethical issues (participants aren’t aware of the study

• takes place in a natural setting

- IV isn’t changed by experimenter (naturally occurring)

strengths:
-high validity (due to the real world variables)
-can standardise procedures (some control over EVs)
weaknesses:
-few opportunities to do this kind of research as behaviours may be rare
-may be EVs (due to the fact that participants aren’t randomly allocated to conditions)

different ways participants can be organised in relation to IVs/conditions of the experiment

EV arising from the order in which conditions are presented (in repeated measures)

• different group of participants for each level of the IV (condition)

• control and experimental group

strengths:
order effects aren't a problem because participants only do the experiment once
weaknesses:
-different participants in each group
-participant variables can act as an EV

differing individual characteristics of participants

allocation: using chance or a systematic method to allocate participants to conditions, this way the researcher doesn't influence who goes in each group and also makes participant variables even across the different conditions

all participants take part in all levels of the IV

strengths:
-no participant variables
-fewer participants needed so its less expensive
weakness:
order effects reduce validity (eg. practice effect: participants may do better the second time)

counterbalancing: half the participants do the conditions in one order, other half do the opposite order

• participants tested on variables relevant to the study

| - participants are matched, and one member of each pair goes into each condition

strengths:
-no order effects
-fewer participant variables
weaknesses:
-takes time to match participants 
-doesn't control all participant variables

subset of target population which aims to be representative of that population-aims to avoid bias

system used to produce sample

group that the researcher is interested in studying

| purpose is to be able to generalise all findings/results to the target population

process where the scientists performing the research influence the results in order to to portray a certain outcome

• each person has equal chance of selection

| - numbers of target population in hat/number generator

strengths:
-no bias (because everyone has an equal chance of selection)
weaknesses:
-takes time (have to make a list of members of the target populatio

selecting people that are available

strengths:
quick+cheap (participants are just there)
weaknesses:
only represents the population from which it was drawn

selecting every nth person from a list of the target population

strengths:
avoids researcher bias
weaknesses:
may end up with unrepresentative

selecting participants in proportion to frequency in target population

strengths:
very representative
weaknesses:
very time-consuming to sort sub-groups

conflict between participants' rights and well-being and the need to gain valuable results

participants must be told comprehensive information (nature, purpose and role) at the beginning and they can make an informed decision about whether or not they want to take part (consent)

they should be told that they can leave the investigation at any time they wish

participants shouldn't be lied to or misled about aim

| ---mild deception can be justified (withholding info about the other group/condition)

participants have the right to control about themselves

• personal data must be protected and respected

• data collected belongs to that person

• personal details shouldn't be accessible (usually anonymous)

• participants shouldn't be placed at risk

• physical and psychological safety should always be protected

• not made to feel stressed or embarrassed

• right to withdraw

-code of conduct all professional psychologists in the UK need to follow

participants (or guardians) sign a form that tells them what is to be expected

• participants have a full debrief to explain true aims and other conditions ect

• participants are allowed to withhold data if unhappy with some aspects of study

• reduce stress (assure them it was typical behaviour)

• might be offered counseling)

• participants must be anonymous (given numbers or referred to by initials)

• data must not be shared unless given consent

• participants should be reminded that data will be protected and remain confidential

• self report method

| - face to face, real time contact and can also be done over phone or text

• reads list of questions

• can have prepared follow up questions

• follows exact script

• some questions prepared before

• new questions created depending on what the interviewee says

• much like a conversation