Psychology Revision- Research Methods in Psychology

For Section A, the Procedure Q: (Check for FEAR- Feasible, Ethical, Appropriate,
Replicable)
A was conducted to investigate .
Obs only- Four researchers met prior to the obs taking place to operationalise
variables and decide on the behaviour categories. They decided to observe
, , ., and . (Operationalise).
Self-report questionnaire only- They carried out a pilot study to check the
sample was suitable, the researchers knew what they had to so and that the selfreport collected useful data.
An opportunity sampling technique (unless asks for different technique in the
instructions is specified) was used to gather 60 students aged 16 to 18 from a
college in Leicestershire. Researchers approached students in the canteen and
on the field and asked them if they were available and willing to take part in a
study on .
Lab exp only
Allocation of Ps:

MPD- (the hardest)- The Ps were asked to complete a short questionnaire,

asking them about their age (in years), gender and (relate to IVrelevant to match on to attempt to control individual differences). They
had to indicate their choice by ticking a box. The researchers matched the
Ps according to .. (the relevant variable) as best as possible and put
Ps into pairs. One person from each pair was randomly allocated to the
condition and the other person was allocated the condition.
RMD- (the nicer one)- The 60 Ps were randomly allocated equally to their
1st condition, which was either . or . by the researchers. (Then
write in the procedure bit how they swap over conditions to the one they
havent done yet)
IMD- The researchers selected 60 Ps composed of equal numbers of males
and females. They then randomly allocated them to the 2 conditions of
... and .., which contained equal amounts of males and females.
(For Quasi: Ps asked to complete a short questionnaire which includes the
critical Q: Are you .. or ..? The Ps had to tick a box to indicate their
answer. The Ps were allocated to their groups according to whether they
were or .. , where there were equal numbers of Ps in each group).

Extraneous variables to be controlled included time of day, noise level, task (and
other relevant variables). These were controlled by standardised procedures such
as all the Ps in the same condition did the same task in a quiet room at the same
time.
-

The materials required to conduct the research included: pens, paper,

questionnaires, stopwatch, consent form, debrief sheet (depends on research,
could be more specific than this).
Lab/Correlation/SR: The Ps were read standardised instructions on how to
complete the task. They then signed a consent form (/gave verbal consent) to
take part and were offered the right to withdraw at any point by stating to the
researcher that they no longer wanted to take part. They were told their
information would be kept strictly confidential and could be destroyed if they
wished.
Obs only: A few days before the observation took place the researcher put a
poster up in the . area, informing the Ps that an observation would be taking
place on . at am/pm. The poster specified that those who stayed in the
.. area would be taken as giving their informed consent to take part and that Ps
had the right to withdraw by leaving the . area at any point during the
observation period. The poster also stated that data collected would be kept
confidential.
Procedure (finally): Depends on task, do a step by step idiots guide of a
procedure that could be easily conducted. Operationalise everything.

Ps given the resource (questionnaire, pen, paper)

Sit at desks?
Stopwatch, timings
Examples- aim for 3
How task recorded- speak aloud/write down/tally

Obs only: Researchers operationalise variables and decide on type of

observation and position themselves (operationalise)
When the Ps had completed the SR/Correlation/task they gave the . back
to the researcher. The researcher thanked them for taking part, gave them a
debrief sheet fully explaining the full nature of the study and reminded them that
their data would be kept confidential.
Obs only: At the end of the . period the researcher put up another poster
thanking the Ps for taking part in the observation and informing them with more
information on the full aim of the study and reassuring them that their data
would be kept confidential. This acted as a debrief.
The data from each of the 60 Ps was collated to establish whether .
caused/affected/a relationship exists between ..
Obs only: The 4 researchers/observers met after the observation and collated
the results they had collected. They checked again for agreement between data
they had each recorded to ensure inter-rater reliability.

The End. (But dont put that)

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For Section B, Part A (4 marker) aim for 4 pieces of info, study not required,
forms basis of future Qs, so make detailed to help you
SOCIAL (Mi, Pi, R+H)

Other people and the surrounding environment are major influences on an

individuals behaviour, thought processes and emotions
The situation we are in influences our behaviour, we do not always act
accordingly to our free will

COGNITIVE (L+P, B-C, S-R)

All internal mental processes such as memory, problem-solving and

language are important features influencing our behaviour
The human mind works like a computer and our behaviour is influenced by
the way it inputs, processes and responds to information that has been
received

DEVELOPMENTAL (S+B, Ba, Fr)

Children are psychologically different to adults and their development

occurs as stages that are common and consistent between people of the
same age
Children learn through behavioural principles of operant and classical
conditioning, including the SLT where children learn behaviour they
observe and reproduce it in a different environment from where it was first
observed
In this way there are clearly identifiable systematic changes that occur in
an individuals behaviour from conception to death

PHYSIOLOGICAL (Ma, D+K, Sp)

All that is psychological is first physiological and since the mind that
determines behaviour seems to resides in the brain, all thoughts, feelings
and behaviours ultimately have a physiological cause
Research tends to use scientific equipment like technology to give
objective results

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES (Gr, Ro, T+C)

Individuals differ in their behaviour and personal qualities (personality,

gender) so not everyone can be considered the average person.
An individuals behaviour is determined by their disposition (nature) rather
than their situation
All psychological characteristics are inherited and since everyone inherits
different genes we are all different and unique in behaviour

BEHAVIOURIST (Social, S-R, Ba, Gr)

All behaviour is learnt and determined by the surrounding environment

after birth
We are the products of all our past experiences
Only directly observable behaviour should be studied for psychology to be
regarded as an objective science

PSYCHODYNAMIC (T+C, Fr)

Behaviour and feelings are influenced by our unconscious motives and

childhood experiences
Unconsciousness- things we are not directly aware of influence our
behaviour
Psychodynamic conflict- The Id, Ego and Superego (3 parts of personality)
are in constant conflict with each other
Development- personality is shaped by relationships, experience and
conflict/trauma over time; particularly during childhood

NATURE/INDIVIDUAL

Explains behaviour in terms of innate functions and due to features of an

individuals personality

NURTURE/SITUATIONAL

Explain behaviour in terms of environmental factors or events

DETERMINISM

Our behaviour is caused by factors beyond our control

FREE WILL

Our behaviour is assumed to us to be a result of our own choice

REDUCTIONIST

Explains our complex behaviour in its simplest forms so that they can be
better understood
Tend to be snapshot, quantitative

HOLISTIC

Attempts to take all factors into account that might explain human
behaviour
Tend to be case studies, longitudinal, qualitative

USEFULNESS

Generally- research can be applied to real life and has practical

applications that benefit society
Practical applications
Ethical/Unethical- psychologies reputation and credibility
Generalisable/Ungeneralisability- sample size and ecological validity
Intrinsic value- information wouldnt know if didnt test
Insight- into human behaviour
Predict behaviour- generate theories for certain behaviour

ETHNOCENTRIC

Extent research reflects/represents behaviour of people from other

countries and cultures (research should not be biased towards a particular
ethnic group or country)

ETHICS

For research to be ethical the guidelines set out by the BPS must be
upheld:
No deception
Informed consent
Protection of Ps- should not be mentally or physically harmed by the study,
should leave in the same state they entered in
Right to withdraw- at any point
Confidentiality- no information about the Ps should be shared or enough
collected so that they could be identified
Privacy- should only be observed where Ps expect to be observed, in
public places
Debrief- Ps should be informed of the full nature of the study

SCIENTIFIC

Objective- directly observable behaviour, not subjective, technology

Replicable- can be repeated and obtain similar results due to standardised
procedures, controls
Falsifiable- could be proven wrong