Component 2 Exam Questions

Question 1

Describe the process of peer review (6)

Answer 1

1. Researcher submits article to journal.
2. Journal assessed by editor of journal.
3. If accepted by editor, article is sent to reviewers (who is also an expert in the
   field).
4. Reviewers are normally kept anonymous from the article’s author.
5. Reviewers submit their comments to the editor.
6. Editor may reject the article or return it to the author to make revisions.
7. Revised article is re-submitted to editor for publication.

Question 2

< (with line underneath)

Answer 2

Less than or equal to

Question 3

>

Answer 3

Greater than

Question 4

Test re-test reliability (2)

Answer 4

Involves testing and retesting the same participants over time, with the same test, and comparing their scores. If the scores are the same the test has external reliability.

Question 5

Inter-rater reliability (2)

Answer 5

Where two or more psychologists produce consistent results by using a standardised procedure, agreed coding system, or correlation of their data.

Question 6

Explain the steps you would follow to calculate a standard deviation

Answer 6

I would calculate the standard deviation by completing the following steps:
1. Calculate the mean of the data set.
2. Take the mean away from each score in the data set.
3. Square each difference.
4. Add together each of the squared differences
5. Divide this by N – 1 (the number of scores in your data set - 1).
6. Find the square root of this value and this is the standard deviation.

Question 7

Explain one strength and one weakness of using standard deviations in psychology.

Answer 7

Strength:
* More precise and informative measure of dispersion than the range.
* Highlights if the mean is an appropriate measure of central tendency.
* Used in further statistical analysis, such as computing skewness.
* Less affected by anomalous results than range scores.
Weakness:
* Can only be used if the data set is normally distributed and not skewed.
* More difficult to calculate than the range score.
* Can only be used when data collected is ordinal level or above.
* Can only be used where an IV is plotted against frequency.

Question 8

Explain the strengths of longitudinal studies and the weaknesses of cross-sectional
studies.

Answer 8

Strengths of longitudinal:
* Longitudinal studies control for ‘participant variables’, as the same person is tested on a
number of occasions and compared and therefore acts as their own control.
* Cohort variables are not a problem.
* Reduces recall bias as participants are being researched as their life occurs, rather than
research which may ask them to think back to experiences they may have had a long
time ago.
* Helps us understand the order in which events may occur.
* Helps us establish links between early life circumstances and later outcomes.
Weaknesses of cross-sectional:
* Different people are in the different groups/conditions, so any difference detected may
be due to participant variables other than age.
* Cohort variables may exist, such as individuals born during the same time period may
share important historical experiences.
* Recall bias can occur if the study asks participants about experiences they may have
had a long time ago.
* Difficult to indicate causal relationships (cause and effect).

Question 9

Using examples from psychology, discuss why primary sources may be better than secondary sources.

Answer 9

Primary sources may be more valid than secondary sources as the researcher has designed the investigation and the method of data collection specifically to test a hypothesis. For example, an experiment can be controlled to reduce or eliminate the effect of extraneous variables.
• Primary sources may be more ethical than secondary sources as the researcher has control over how participants are recruited and tested and can ensure that BPS guidelines are followed. For example, an interview of a sensitive topic can be adjusted to take into consideration any sensitive issues that arise.
• However, primary sources may be more time consuming to collect and analyse data whereas secondary data is already available; for example, existing medical data exists to examine the effectiveness of drug therapy for clinical disorders.
• Primary sources cannot examine historical trends whereas secondary sources can be looked at over time to see trends and changes; for example, we can understand obedience to authority at different points in time.

Question 10

concurrent validity

Answer 10

Validating a measurement by comparing it with an established measurement that has known validity. If similar results occur on both tests, then this new test is valid. If not, then the new test would have to be redesigned and tested. (2 marks)

Question 11

construct validity

Answer 11

The most sophisticated test of validity as it looks at whether the overall results reflect the phenomena as a whole (external validity). Checking the existing definitions of the behaviour being studied and redesigning the test if it measures a different construct. (2 marks)