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Summary Psychology A-level Research Methods
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In-depth description of all of research methods
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Research MethodsHypothesis
A precise and testable statement which states explicitly what the psychologist thinks will
happen in the experiment.
Null – there will be no effect, observed differences or correlations will be due to chance
factors
Alternative – differences between conditions, or relationships between variables, will be
significant
One tailed hypothesis – direction of effect that one variable has on another (more, less,
better, worse, faster etc)
Two tailed hypothesis – less specific between variables (comparisons)
Experiments
- Looking for a difference between conditions
- Researcher manipulates an IV
- Researcher measures a DV
- Attempts to control all other extraneous variables
Lab, Field, Quasi
Situational variables – factors in the environment that can unintentionally affect the results
of a study. E.g., location, effects on participants, temperature.
Participant variables – individual people taking part. E.g., mood, tiredness, previous
experience.
Science
- Theory
- Cause + effect
- Deduction: theory -> observations
- Induction: observation -> theory
- Testing hypothesis
- Falsification
, - Replicability
- Standardisation
- Objectivity
Ethics
Deception Misleading participants about the purpose of the study to gain more valid data
Informed consent Agreement of participants to take part when they are fully aware of aims,
nature and intended outcomes of the study
Loco parentis When a person assumes/takes the parental responsibility
Presumptive consent Assuming that a participant will agree
Debrief Telling participants, the true nature and aims of the study after it is concluded
Physical + psychological harm Causing harm upon participants
Right to withdraw Participants should be aware of right to withdraw at any point. Should
never be offered an incentive to forgo right to withdraw.
Assent Willingness to participate in research by people who are by definition too young to
give informed consent but old enough to understand the purpose of the research in general
Confidentiality Information between a participant and researcher cannot be shared with
anyone
Anonymity Data collected from participants is confidential and cannot be traced to any
individual
Social desirability bias When participants give answers or display behaviour that presents
them in a good light so they can look like a good person
Researcher effects When researchers interpret the behaviours of participants in a
subjective way that may be making too many assumptions
Demand characteristics When participants give answers or display behaviour that they
believe is in accordance with the aim or what they think the researcher expects.
Every study should have
- An information for participant’s sheet
- A consent form for each participant
- Standardised instructions for participants
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