Reseach Methods - Paper 1

Question 1

How would you structure a conclusion about a study?

Answer 1

State finding ……… this suggests that

. Make sure it is in context

Example
If you were looking at observing difference between hand gestures between male and female talking on phone. Showing males gestures to be higher.

Answer: From results it showed that males gesture more. This suggests that they could be less self conscious than females, or that they are more visual in how they think and this is reflected in conversations they have whilst on the phone with other people, making them more animated.

Question 2

What do you always need to remember to do in every question

Answer 2

To link back to the context of the study being presented.

Question 3

What do you need to remember to do when drawing a graph

Answer 3

Use all the grid given

Equal scale

Include labelling of axis and a title which is in context

Question 4

When working out numbers for statistical test, what do you need to ensure you do?

Answer 4

Show each line of working out for calculation.

Question 5

When writing a hypothesis for a study, what do you need to ensure you do?

Answer 5

Operationalise the IV and the DV in the study

(Fully explain how you would measure both of them)

Eg. Mesuring length of handshake on friendliness:
Operationalise:
IV - short handshake (2 seconds) and long handshake (5 seconds)
DV - use a rating scale to mesure friendliness

Question 6

Name 4 things that you need to remember to include/ reference when writing a significant statement of data?

Answer 6

Reference the:
. Critical value
. Observed value
. Sample size
. Probability level

Example of probability level:

…At the probability level it is used at

Eg 5% probability level

Eg the results where significant at 5% probability level

Question 7

In section C what do you you always need to do first?

Give reason why

Answer 7

Read the information given at the top

Why- as it will help you answer the questions below/ identify the statistical test you need

Question 8

Outline the exam technique when answering the multiple choice questions

Answer 8

Process of elimination/ eliminate options for each question

Step 1 - read question

Step 2 - cross out ones definitely not

Step 3 - re read question

Step 4 - select final answer

Spend a minute on each question

Question 9

If you are given a fraction and asked to represent it as a decimal, what should you do to work it out.

Answer 9

Type the fraction into the calculator!!

Eg 1/20 = 0.05

Question 10

Outline the 15 mark structure

(in order to access the top band.)

Answer 10

It is essential that you meet the four requirements that examiners are looking for, these are:

•1. Addressing all of the required features (the 4 bullet points)

•2. Justifying your design decisions

•3. Contextualising your answer – applying your knowledge to the scenario

•4. Explicitly linking your design decisions to your own practical work

Question 11

What do you include when justifying your answer in the 15 marker

Answer 11

Outline the strengths and weaknesses of the required factor

Eg. structured interview

Question 12

What does contextualising your answer mean and what do you include when contextualising your answer

Answer 12

Means applying your knowledge to the scenario/ study given

Include:

Who is the sample going to be?

Where will they be from?

How will you get the sample?

How will you conduct it? e.g interview/ questionnaire etc

Question 13

What is the sentence starter and what do you include when explicitly linking your design to your own practical application

Answer 13

In my own research when I investigated … I used e.g structured interview

Include :
Who were the sample?
Where were they from?
How did you carry it out?

Remember to justify why used

Question 14

What do you need to do when you start the 15 maker

Answer 14

Set the scene for the study (context)

Introduce how you are going to carry out the study

Question 15

What should you refer to at the start of each required factor in the 15 marker

Answer 15

Refer to what the required factor is

E.g
RF - details of how one ethical consideration would be addressed

One ethical consideration would be …

Question 16

For a question on saying way a measure of central tendency is better than another what should you include to get 2 marks

Answer 16

1 mark - identify why
eg. mean affected by outliers

1 mark - use example of data from the study table in context
eg. Wearing a name badge had rating of 5, which is lower than any other rating (outlier)

Question 17

Give an example on how you would operationalise the dependant variable to obtain quantitive data for a required factor.

Study related to an experiment on litter in room of lemons vs room smells of nothing.

Answer 17

I would operationalise the DV of litter by counting the number of pieces left in both room (lemon or no lemon) and use a tally chart to generate quant data.