Planning and conducting research - Paper 1

Question 1

Null vs alternate hypothesis

Answer 1

Null - predicts there will be no difference or relationship, and that the results will not be significant
Alternate - predicts there will be a difference or relationship and that the results will be significant

Question 2

One tailed hypothesis

Answer 2

aka directional hypothesis
Predicts the nature of the effect on the DV or the direction of the relationship
ie “the amount of sleep will decrease as the amount of ket increases”

Question 3

Two tailed hypothesis

Answer 3

aka non directional hypothesis
Predicts that there will be an effect on the DV or a relationship but not which effect or what relationship
ie “there will be a difference in sleep levels of those who do ket and those who don’t”

Question 4

Target population

Answer 4

The group of people the researcher is interested in and from which the sample is drawn

Question 5

Random sampling

Answer 5

Selecting ppts in a way that means each member of the target population has a chance of being chosen
No bias so sample is likely to be representative but this could lead to a freak unrepresentative result as researcher has no control over who is chosen

Question 6

Snowball sampling

Answer 6

Initial ppts recruit additional ppts
Unlikely to be representative
Useful way to gather a sample if specific features are needed - ie gamblers, lawyers

Question 7

Opportunity sampling

Answer 7

Selecting people who are easily available at the time of the study
Unlikely to be totally representative but quick and easy method

Question 8

Self-selected sampling

Answer 8

Asking people to volunteer to take part
Unlikely to be representative
Ppts are likely to be willing and co-operative as they volunteered

Question 9

Repeated measures design

Answer 9

Each ppt takes part in every condition of the experiment
Strength - means fewer ppts needed and ppt variables are controlled as the same ones are always used
Weakness - practice effects (perfecting a task) or order effects (task before affecting current task) or boredom which affects behaviour

Question 10

Independent measures design

Answer 10

Different ppts are used for different conditions of the independent variable
Strength - no order/practice effects or boredom
Weaknesses - needs more ppts, and ppt variables may affect the results

Question 11

Matched pairs design

Answer 11

Ppts who are similar on key variables are matched and one is placed into one condition and the other into the other condition
Strength - comparability can improve validity
Weakness - may be hard to find enough ppts with the necessary features

Question 12

Behavioural categories

Answer 12

Observations
Breaks activity down into recordable events
Categories could include every time a ppt talks or every time they use their phone

Question 13

Coding frames

Answer 13

Observations
A list of behavioural categories, each with a code
ie talking to friend/group or reading a book/magazine

Question 14

Time sampling

Answer 14

Data recording method for observations
Recording pre-determined behaviours at time intervals ie every five minutes or once a week

Question 15

Event sampling

Answer 15

Data recording method for observations
Counting/noting every time a pre-determined behaviour occurs