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EnglandPsychology

Component 2: Psychology Investigating Behaviour - research methods

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

How do correlations and case studies investigate behaviour, and what can and cannot they show?

Correlation (co-variables, positive, negative and zero correlations, correlation coefficients, scattergrams, correlation does not equal causation) and case studies (in-depth study of an individual or small group, qualitative data, strengths and weaknesses).
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to correlation and case studies in Component 2. Covers co-variables, positive, negative and zero correlations, correlation coefficients and scattergrams, why correlation is not causation, and the strengths and weaknesses of case studies.
14 min answer →

How do psychologists summarise and present quantitative data using measures of central tendency, dispersion and graphs?

Descriptive statistics: measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), measures of dispersion (range, standard deviation), levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval), percentages and ratios, and presenting data (tables, bar charts, histograms, scattergrams).
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to descriptive statistics in Component 2. Covers the mean, median and mode, range and standard deviation, levels of measurement, percentages and ratios, and how to present quantitative data in tables, bar charts, histograms and scattergrams, with worked calculations.
15 min answer →

How do psychologists run experiments, define variables and choose an experimental design?

The experimental method: types of experiment (laboratory, field, natural, quasi), independent and dependent variables and operationalisation, hypotheses, extraneous and confounding variables and controls, and experimental designs (independent groups, repeated measures, matched pairs).
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to the experimental method in Component 2. Covers laboratory, field, natural and quasi experiments, independent and dependent variables, operationalisation, hypotheses, extraneous and confounding variables, controls, and the three experimental designs with their strengths and weaknesses.
15 min answer →

How do psychologists choose and use an inferential test to decide whether results are significant?

Inferential statistics: probability and significance ( $p \le 0.05$ ), the null and alternative hypotheses, choosing the correct test (the binomial sign test, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, Spearman's rho, chi-square) from design and level of measurement, observed versus critical values, and Type I and Type II errors.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to inferential statistics in Component 2. Covers probability and the 0.05 significance level, the null hypothesis, how to choose between the binomial sign test, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, Spearman's rho and chi-square, comparing observed and critical values, and Type I and Type II errors.
16 min answer →

How do psychologists study behaviour through observation and self-report, and how are these designed?

Non-experimental methods: observation (naturalistic, controlled, participant, non-participant, overt, covert; behavioural categories and sampling) and self-report (questionnaires and interviews; open and closed questions; designing good questions).
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to observation and self-report methods in Component 2. Covers types of observation, behavioural categories, event and time sampling, questionnaires and interviews, open and closed questions, and the strengths and weaknesses of each method.
14 min answer →

How do you design, run, analyse and evaluate the two personal investigations, and how are they examined?

The two personal investigations: designing and conducting two studies using different methods (aim and hypothesis, variables, design, sampling, ethics, procedure), analysing the data with appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics, writing up, and applying research-methods reasoning to a novel scenario.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to the two personal investigations in Component 2. Covers designing and running two studies using different methods, making the design decisions, analysing data with descriptive and inferential statistics, writing the report, and applying research-methods knowledge to an unfamiliar scenario in the exam.
14 min answer →

What make a study reliable and valid, and how can each be assessed and improved?

Reliability (internal and external; test-retest, inter-observer; how to assess and improve it) and validity (internal and external; face, concurrent, ecological, temporal and population validity; demand characteristics and investigator effects; how to assess and improve it).
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to reliability and validity in Component 2. Covers internal and external reliability, test-retest and inter-observer reliability, internal and external validity, face, concurrent, ecological, temporal and population validity, demand characteristics and investigator effects, and how to assess and improve each.
14 min answer →

How do psychologists select participants, and what ethical principles must they follow?

Sampling (target population, sample, random, opportunity, volunteer, systematic and stratified sampling; bias and generalisability) and ethics (the BPS principles: informed consent, deception, right to withdraw, protection from harm, confidentiality, and dealing with ethical issues).
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to sampling and ethics in Component 2. Covers target populations and samples, random, opportunity, volunteer, systematic and stratified sampling, sampling bias and generalisability, and the BPS ethical principles with ways of dealing with ethical issues.
14 min answer →