7. Research methods EQs

Question 1

Outline what is involved in self-report. (2 marks)

Answer 1

where the participant gives information to the researcher/provides details of own
feelings/thoughts/behaviour. (1)
involves responding to questions on a questionnaire/during interview (1)

Question 2

Example of a extraneous variable that works for most questions? (1 mark)

Answer 2

same person giving same instructions

Question 3

Investigator effects sometimes occur in interviews.
Explain two modifications that would help to minimise investigator effects in this
study. (4 marks)

Answer 3

1. have an interviewer who did not know the aims of the study so that they would not let their own expectations influence how they ask the interview questions (double blind technique)
2. use a structured interview so that the investigator cannot alter the questions

Question 4

Briefly explain two reasons why conducting a peer review might improve psychological
research. (4 marks)

Answer 4

would guarantee high quality of the written investigation (1) through the suggestion of possible improvements (1)

would ensure that the research is appropriate for publication (1) e.g. check work is original (not copied/plagerised) (1)

Question 5

Explain why a repeated measures design was more appropriate than an independent
groups design in this study. (2 marks)

Answer 5

1. a repeated measures design would control for individual differences, eg level of stress, relaxation methods, fitness levels, personality, attitude to sport, etc
2. so, the psychologist can be more certain that any difference in stress level between the two conditions is due to running the 2 km run at breaktime rather than due to other participant variables.