Research Methods Gcse Edexcel Psychology 1

Question 1

What is an independent variable (IV)?

Answer 1

The variable directly manipulated by the researcher

The IV can have two or more levels, seen in the conditions of an investigation.

Question 2

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

Answer 2

The variable being measured in a study

The DV should be affected by the manipulation of the IV.

Question 3

Define operationalisation in research.

Answer 3

Making the variables in an investigation detailed and specific

This ensures that variables are testable and measurable.

Question 4

What is an extraneous variable?

Answer 4

A variable that is not controlled and could affect the results of a study

Extraneous variables can interfere with the IV or DV.

Question 5

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 5

An extraneous variable that affects the results of the study so that the effect of the IV is not truly being seen

Confounding variables damage the results.

Question 6

Identify the IV and DV: A study to investigate whether cats or dogs sleep longer.

Answer 6

IV: Type of pet (cats or dogs); DV: Amount of sleep

The study measures sleep duration based on the type of pet.

Question 7

Identify the IV and DV: A study to see if age affects the amount of sleep we need.

Answer 7

IV: Age; DV: Amount of sleep needed

This study examines how sleep requirements change with age.

Question 8

Identify the IV and DV: An investigation into how the type of praise you receive influences grades achieved in exams.

Answer 8

IV: Type of praise; DV: Grades achieved

The focus is on the relationship between praise type and exam performance.

Question 9

True or False: The influence of extraneous variables is irrelevant in psychological research.

Answer 9

False

Extraneous variables must be controlled to prevent interference with results.

Question 10

What is the importance of operationalising variables?

Answer 10

Ensures that they are testable and measurable

This allows for clarity and replicability in research.

Question 11

What are situational variables?

Answer 11

Situational variables are present in the environment of the investigation, including noise, distractions, light levels, and temperature.

Question 12

How can situational variables influence a study?

Answer 12

Situational variables can influence the outcome of a study if they vary between conditions. For example, poor lighting may hinder performance compared to good lighting.

Question 13

What are participant variables?

Answer 13

Participant variables are associated with the participants involved in an investigation, including their abilities, attributes, and tendencies.

Question 14

What are order effects?

Answer 14

Order effects occur when participants improve or worsen in the second condition due to practice or fatigue.

Question 15

What are demand characteristics?

Answer 15

Demand characteristics are when participants alter their behavior in response to the perceived aims of the investigation.

Question 16

What are investigator effects?

Answer 16

Investigator effects occur when a researcher unintentionally gives clues to participants, altering their behavior.

Question 17

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 17

A confounding variable is an extraneous variable that is not controlled and affects the outcome of a study, confounding the results.

Question 18

What should researchers consider regarding participant variables?

Answer 18

Researchers should consider what participant variables are likely to influence the findings of their study.

Question 19

How can researchers control extraneous variables?

Answer 19

Researchers can eliminate or control extraneous variables, such as placing a ‘silence’ sign to prevent distractions.

Question 20

What is a standardised procedure?

Answer 20

A standardised procedure involves keeping the situation and procedure exactly the same across all conditions of an investigation.

Question 21

What are participant variables?

Answer 21

Participant variables are extraneous variables specific to the participants of an investigation, such as mood, ability, or personality.

Question 22

What is counterbalancing?

Answer 22

Counterbalancing is a technique where half of the participants experience condition A then condition B, while the other half experience condition B then condition A.

This helps to prevent order effects in research.

Question 23

How does randomisation control order effects?

Answer 23

Randomisation assigns participants to conditions based on chance, such as drawing from a hat or using a computer to generate order.

This ensures that order effects are equally distributed.

Question 24

What is a single-blind technique?

Answer 24

A single-blind technique withholds information about the study’s aims or expectations from participants.

It is often used in clinical trials where participants do not know if they receive the actual medication or a placebo.

Question 25

What is a double-blind technique?

Answer 25

A double-blind technique means that neither participants nor researchers know the aims of the study.

This helps to control demand characteristics caused by investigator effects.

Question 26

How can participant variables be controlled?

Answer 26

Participant variables can be controlled by using the same participants in both conditions or by matching different participants on important characteristics.

Random allocation can also be used to randomly assign participants to conditions.

Question 27

What is a null hypothesis?

Answer 27

A null hypothesis is a prediction that there will be no difference or relationship that is consistent or systematic.

It serves as a baseline for statistical testing.

Question 28

What is the purpose of controlling extraneous variables?

Answer 28

Controlling extraneous variables ensures that any observed effects in a study are due to the independent variable and not other factors.

Question 29

What is random allocation?

Answer 29

Random allocation involves randomly assigning participants to one condition or another to achieve a random distribution of participant variables.