How do psychologists design studies to investigate behaviour?
Research methods and the experiment: the main research methods used in psychology, the experimental method, hypotheses and variables, experimental designs, and the strengths and weaknesses of each method.
The SQA Higher Psychology research content on methods: the experimental, observation, survey, case study and correlational methods, the structure of an experiment including hypotheses and independent and dependent variables, experimental designs, and the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
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What this dot point is asking
Research methods underpin the whole course: every topic uses studies, and the assignment is a piece of research. The SQA wants you to know the main research methods, understand the experimental method in detail (hypotheses, variables and designs), and be able to explain the strengths and weaknesses of each method. This knowledge is examined directly and is essential for evaluating the studies in the Individual and Social Behaviour areas.
The answer
The main research methods
The experimental method
Hypotheses and variables
Experimental designs
Examples in context
Many studies on the course illustrate the methods. Milgram's obedience study is a controlled experiment-like procedure that manipulated situational variables (such as proximity) to see their effect on obedience, showing how an IV changes a DV. Asch's conformity study manipulated group unanimity to measure its effect on conformity. Bandura's Bobo doll study manipulated whether a model was reinforced to measure imitation. By contrast, much stress and relationship research is correlational (for example linking life events to illness, or satisfaction to commitment), which is why it can show a relationship but not prove cause. Recognising which method a study uses, and what that allows it to claim, is exactly the evaluation skill the SQA rewards across the whole paper.
Try this
Q1. Name three research methods used in psychology other than the experiment. [3 marks]
- Cue. Observation, survey or questionnaire, case study, and the correlational method.
Q2. Explain the difference between the alternative and the null hypothesis. [4 marks]
- Cue. The alternative (experimental) hypothesis predicts a difference or relationship; the null hypothesis predicts no difference or relationship, with any result due to chance.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA Higher (research)8 marksDescribe the experimental method and explain the difference between the independent and dependent variable.Show worked answer →
An -mark question testing research knowledge. Markers want accurate definitions and a clear distinction, ideally with an example.
The experimental method involves manipulating an independent variable (IV) to see its effect on a dependent variable (DV) while controlling other variables, allowing cause and effect to be inferred. The IV is what the researcher changes; the DV is what is measured. For example, if hours of sleep (IV) are varied to see the effect on memory-test score (DV), naming each variable and noting that other factors are controlled raises the mark.
SQA Higher (research)6 marksExplain one strength and one weakness of the laboratory experiment.Show worked answer →
A -mark question. Markers reward developed points rather than one-word answers.
A strength is high control: extraneous variables can be held constant, so cause and effect can be established and the study can be replicated to check reliability. A weakness is low ecological validity: the artificial setting may not reflect real life, and participants may behave differently because they know they are being studied (demand characteristics). Explaining why each point matters, rather than just naming it, earns full marks.
Related dot points
- Sampling, ethics, reliability and validity: methods of sampling participants, the ethical issues and guidelines in psychological research, and the concepts of reliability and validity used to judge a study's quality.
The SQA Higher Psychology research content on sampling and quality: random, opportunity, self-selected and other sampling methods, the ethical issues and guidelines such as consent, deception and protection from harm, and the concepts of reliability and validity used to evaluate research.
- Analysing and presenting data: qualitative and quantitative data, descriptive statistics including measures of central tendency and dispersion, methods of presenting data, and drawing conclusions from research findings.
The SQA Higher Psychology research content on data: the difference between qualitative and quantitative data, descriptive statistics such as the mean, median, mode and range, methods of presenting data in tables and graphs, and how psychologists draw and justify conclusions from findings.
- The Higher Psychology assignment: an overview of the researched report worth 40 marks, including the research question, the use of research methods, the analysis of findings, and the conclusions and evaluation.
An overview of the SQA Higher Psychology assignment: the 40-mark researched report in which a candidate plans a research question, gathers and analyses information using research methods, presents findings, and draws and evaluates conclusions under controlled conditions.
- Sleep, dreams and sleep disorders: the nature and stages of sleep, theories and explanations of why we sleep and dream, sleep disorders, and the research evidence and methods used to study sleep.
The SQA Higher Psychology mandatory Individual Behaviour topic on sleep and dreams: the stages and cycle of sleep, restoration and evolutionary theories of sleep, theories of dreaming, common sleep disorders, and the research evidence and methods used to study them.
Sources & how we know this
- SQA Higher Psychology Course Specification — SQA (2019)
- SQA Higher Psychology: guidance on creating assessments — SQA (2019)