Summary AQA A-Level Psychology Paper 2 Revision Notes - Research Methods

Research Methods
Psychology Pack:

Year 1




1

,Contents Page

Revision Checklist/ Specification Page 3-7

Experimental methods (Aims, experimental and correlational hypothese, IV/DV ) Page 8-11

Operationalisation Page 8

Experimental methods: lab and field experiments Page 12

Experimental methods: Quasi and Natural experiments Page 13

Control of variables Page 14

Reliability and validity Page 15

Experimental design Page 16-17

Non experimental methods: Self report – Interviews & questionnaires (inc. designing) Page 18-21

Non experimental methods: Observational techniques (inc. designing) Page 22-25

Non experimental methods: Case studies Page 26

Non experimental methods: Correlation Page 27-29

Non experimental methods: Content and Thematic Analysis Page 30

Sampling Page 31-33

Pilot studies and Ethics Page 34-36

Peer Review Page 36-37

Psychology & the economy Page 37

Qualitative & quantitative data Page 38

Primary & secondary data and meta-analysis Page 39

Descriptive Statistics Page 40-42

Presentation & display of data Page 43-46

Mathematical content (Percentages, decimals, fractions, ratios) Page 47-49

Statistical testing: The sign test Page 50-53

Design a study Page 54-55

Practical write ups and Practice exam questions Page 56 +




2

,The Specification

Research Methods: Year 1

You will need to be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:

1. Research methods
2. Scientific processes
3. Techniques of data handling and analysis.
4. It is also important that you’re aware of their strengths and limitations.

Notes? Revised?

Methods and techniques



Experiments

 What is a lab experiment?

 What are the advantages of a lab experiment?

 What are the disadvantages of lab experiments?


 What is a field experiment?

 What are the advantages of a field experiment?

 What are the disadvantages of field experiments?


 What is a natural experiment?

 What are the advantages of a natural experiment?

 What are the disadvantages of natural experiments?


 What is a quasi experiment?

 What are the advantages of a quasi experiment?

 What are the disadvantages of a quasi experiment?


 How to design an experiment.




3

, Correlational analysis

 What is a correlational study?

 What is the difference between correlations and experiments

 What is a positive/negative correlation?

 What are the disadvantages of a correlational study?

 What are the disadvantages of correlational study?

 How to design a correlation


Observational techniques

 What is an observational study?

 What is a naturalistic observation? (+advantages and disadvantages)

 What is a controlled observation? (+advantages and Disadvantages)

 What is a covert and overt observation? (+ advantages and disadvantages)

 What is a participant and non-participant observation? (+ advantages and
disadvantages)

 How to design an observation


Self report techniques

 What is a questionnaire? (+ advantages and disadvantages)

 What is an interview?

 What is a structured interview? (+ advantages and disadvantages)

 What is an unstructured interview? (+ advantages and disadvantages)

 How to design questionnaires and interviews.


Case studies

 What is a case study?

 What are the advantages of case studies?

 What are the disadvantages of case studies?



Content analysis

 What is a content analysis?

 What are the advantages of a content analysis?

 What are the disadvantages of a content analysis?




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