AQA Psychology 1st & 2nd year research methods summary - By A* student
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Course
Research Methods
Institution
AQA
A complete revision summary of the AQA A level psychology topic Research Methods for both 1st and 2nd year. Covering all the bullet points made on the AQA specification for AO1. Also includes AO3 for each of these points. Made by a student who achieved A* in their A level.
Experimental Method Control of Variables
Aims – developed from theories to give a general Extraneous variable (EV) – unwanted variables that interfere with study. Affect both
statement on purpose of investigation conditions so result is still valid. Situational or participant.
Hypothesis – statement made at start of Cofounding variable (CV) – change systematically with IV. Only occurs in 1 condition so
experiment stating relationship between IV and DV creates another IV giving invalid results.
- Directional – made off previous research. Demand characteristics – humans are not passive and try to make sense of a situation.
specifies direction between conditions (one- Guessing aims/intentions leading to behaviour change.
tailed) Investigator effects – unwanted influence of investigator on research outcome
- Non-directional – states a difference between reduce effect of variables:
conditions (two-tailed) - Randomisation – use of ‘chance’ where possible to reduce investigator influence.
Dependant variable (DV) – measured - Standardisation – all ppts subjected to same environment, information, experience.
Independent variable (IV) – manipulated Procedures are standardised (standardised instructions).
/changed. IV is only effect on DV. - Counterbalancing – ppts are divided in half. Each complete conditions in opposing
- Control condition (only one) order.
- Experimental condition (can be multiple) Single-blind – ppts not told aim of research or conditions to prevent demand
characteristics.
Experimental design – how ppts are used Strength Weakness Pilot study – small scale trial of
Independent groups Order of effects not ppt variables actual investigation to test aspects
- 2 separate groups experience 2 different important ↓economical of design with a view to make
conditions. ↓demand characteristics improvements.
- Ppts experience one IV each and a - Help determine cost-benefit of
comparison is made full-scale study
Repeated measures ↓ppt variables Order of effects - Used to; train/ familiarise
- All ppts experience all conditions economical Demand researchers, check task difficulty,
- Individuals’ results compared characteristics check delivery of instructions,
(counterbalancing) check significance in results,
Matched Pairs Order of effects not Time consuming 1. Recruit few people from target
- (Pre -test) Ppts paired on a relevant important Expensive population
variable ↓Demand characteristics Some ppt variables 2. Go through standardised
- Pair is split & assigned different condition ↓Ppt variables procedures as planned
- Control cofounding variable of ppt 3. Debrief participants.
Case studies – analysis of unique individuals/ events
- Qualitative data
Qualitative Data: Content analysis – people studied indirectly via
- Psychological testing can produce quantitative
communications they have produced
data
Coding – categorizing large data into meaningful units for quantitative data.
- Longitudinal
Thematic analysis – a theme that is recurrent in data & categorized. Qualitative
Strength Weakness
data.
Rich & detailed Generalisation
Strength Weakness
Abnormality can Subjective
Secondary research has low ethical Indirect study open to
highlight ‘normal’ Inaccuracy & memory decay
issues misinterpretation
Cause revision of Low validity.
External validity Subjectivity of thematic analysis.
current theories
Both quantitative & qualitative data.
, Type of Experiment Strength Weakness
Lab Control over EV – internal Generalisability
High controlled environment validity Demand characteristics
Researcher manipulates IV Replication Mundane realism
Field Mundane realism ↓ experimental control over EV
IV manipulated in natural Valid behaviour – external Replications
setting validity Ethical issues – consent
Researcher manipulates IV
Natural Opportunity for research Rare - ↓opportunity,
Takes advantage of already not undertaken for ethical/ replicability, generalisation
pre-existing IV (natural IV) practical reasons Ppts not randomly allocated IV -
Can be lab experiment External validity ppt variables
Quasi Control over EV Ppts not randomly allocated IV -
IV on existing difference in Replication ppts variables
ppts Ecological validity Control over experimental
IV not manipulated by anyone groups
Sampling techniques
Target Population – large group of individuals researcher is interested in
Sample – smaller group that is representative of target population for generalisation
Sample technique Strength Weakness
Random Sample – all members have No researcher bias Difficult, time-consuming
equal chance of selection Unrepresentative due to
1. List all members probability
2. Assign each a number Ppts refuse to take part
3. Lottery method
Systematic Sample – every nth No researcher bias Ppts refuse to take part
member is selected Fairly
Sampling frame – list of people in target representative
population organised into (alphabetical)
Stratified Sample – the composition No researcher bias Ignores individual differences
of sample reflects the proportions of Representative within strata
strata in target population Generalisation
1. Identify strata
2. Calculate the representative
proportions for sample
3. Randomly select members
Opportunity Sample – anyone willing Convenient Unrepresentative = no
and available Low cost generalisation
Researcher bias
Volunteer Sample – ppts selecting Easy, minimal Volunteer bias – attracting
themselves to take part effort certain ‘profile’
(by advert, notice board) Less time-
consuming
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