This summary of research methods for A-level psychology will help you MASTER this very dull topic. I have tried to make it as short as physically possible while also having lots of information along side with pictures where needed. With this it should make your life easier with this topic!
It cove...
Natural Experiments: - Cons:
Laboratory Experiments:
An experiment where the change in the IV is not brought • Cause and effect are difficult t
An experiment that takes place in a controlled
about by the researcher but has happened naturally. The • Difficult to replicate – conditio
environment. The researcher controls the IV and records
researcher simply records the DV. never be the same.
the DV.
- Pros: - Cons: - Pros: • Sample bias.
• • Experimenter bias. •
High level of control. No demand characteristics.
• • Demand characteristics. •
Replication – easy to repeat High ecological validity.
• Lacking ecological validity. •
due to
•
Can research unethical studies. Hypothesis: Directional hy
standardized procedures. Often carried out on a larger scale.
This predicts t
• Causal relationship.
findings will go
Null hypothesis:
Field Experiments: Non-directional hypothesis:
An experiment that takes place in a
Types of experiments: This is predicting no
This predicts a difference but
relationship or difference
natural setting. The researcher doesn't state which way the
and if there is a difference
manipulates the IV and records the DV. difference will go.
it will be due to chance.
- Pros:
Observations:
• Less demand characteristics. Observation: A non-experimental technique, the researcher watches and
• High ecological validity. records spontaneous/ natural behavior of participants without manipulating
levels of IV. Aspects of the environment are controlled,
Controlled:
- Cons:
• Cause and effect are difficult to establish. in an attempt to give participants, the same experience.
• Difficult to replicate – conditions can never be Naturalistic: Takes place in the "real world" places the participants are
the same. likely to spend their time such as school, word or in their own homes.
• Ethical issues - debrief, privacy, distress and lack
of informed consent. Overt: The participants can see the researcher and are aware their
behavior is being observed as part of an observational study.
Covert: The participants are not aware they are being
observed and they can't see someone taking notes/recording.
High inter-observer reliability: Participant: The researcher joins the group being observed
When an observation is recorded it allows and takes part in the group's activities and conversations.
it to be replayed to different observers
Non-participant: The researcher is separate from the participants
and checked to see if they agree.
recording observations without taking part in the group
activities.
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