← Psychology syllabus

EnglandPsychology

4.7 Research methods

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are correlations and how do they differ from experiments?

Correlations: analysis of the relationship between co-variables. The difference between correlations and experiments. Positive, negative and zero correlations.
Covers AQA 4.7 correlations: co-variables, positive, negative and zero correlations, scattergrams, the difference from experiments, and why correlation does not show causation.
10 min answer →

How is data described and analysed in psychology?

Quantitative and qualitative data, primary and secondary data. Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Presentation of quantitative data, distributions, and the analysis of qualitative data.
Covers AQA 4.7 data handling: quantitative and qualitative data, primary and secondary data, measures of central tendency and dispersion, distributions and presenting data.
11 min answer →

What are the experimental designs and how are their problems controlled?

Experimental designs: independent groups, repeated measures and matched pairs. Design of investigations, including control of variables, randomisation and counterbalancing.
Covers AQA 4.7 experimental design: independent groups, repeated measures and matched pairs, with their strengths and limitations, and the use of randomisation and counterbalancing.
11 min answer →

What are the different types of experiment and their variables?

Experimental method: laboratory, field, natural and quasi-experiments. Aims, hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, operationalisation, extraneous and confounding variables.
Covers AQA 4.7 experimental methods: laboratory, field, natural and quasi-experiments, aims and hypotheses, IVs and DVs, operationalisation, and extraneous and confounding variables.
11 min answer →

How do psychologists test whether their results are significant?

Introduction to statistical testing; the sign test. Probability and significance, the use of statistical tables and critical values, type I and type II errors, choosing a statistical test.
Covers AQA 4.7 inferential testing: probability and significance (p less than 0.05), critical values, type I and type II errors, the sign test, and choosing a statistical test.
11 min answer →

What are the main types of observation and how are they designed?

Observational techniques: naturalistic and controlled, covert and overt, participant and non-participant. Observational design: behavioural categories, event and time sampling.
Covers AQA 4.7 observational techniques: naturalistic and controlled, covert and overt, participant and non-participant observation, and observational design (behavioural categories, event and time sampling).
10 min answer →

What sampling methods do psychologists use?

Sampling: the difference between population and sample; sampling techniques including random, systematic, stratified, opportunity and volunteer; implications of sampling techniques, including bias and generalisation.
Covers AQA 4.7 sampling: population versus sample, random, systematic, stratified, opportunity and volunteer sampling, and the implications of bias and generalisation.
10 min answer →

How are questionnaires and interviews designed and used?

Self-report techniques: questionnaires; interviews, structured and unstructured. The design of questionnaires, including the use of open and closed questions.
Covers AQA 4.7 self-report techniques: questionnaires, structured and unstructured interviews, open and closed questions, and the design of effective questionnaires.
10 min answer →