AQA A Level Psychology – Research Methods,
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Experiments, and Observations (Complete Exam Q&A)
Description:
This document provides a full set of verified questions and answers on research
methods for AQA A Level Psychology. It covers experimental and non-experimental
designs, observations, interviews, case studies, and correlational research.
Strengths and limitations of each method are clearly explained to match exam
requirements. This comprehensive guide ensures students can confidently handle
methodology questions in assessments.
Methods are what psychologists use to conduct their research. There are two areas
of methods, what are these? - answer✔✔Experimental Methods and Non-
Experimental Methods Outline what experimental methods consist of -
answer✔✔Lab, natural, field and quasi experiments Outline what non-
experimental methods consist of - answer✔✔Correlational analysis, observations,
case studies and self report (interviews and questionnaires) Outline a lab experiment
and evaluate it - answer✔✔Conducted within a lab which has high control over
the environment. :) - High level of control over variables meaning that extraneous
, variables are likely to be controlled and thus a cause and effect relationship can be
established between IV and DV :) - High reliability of results due to the tight control
over variables meaning that it can be repeated and findings can be checked for
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consistency :( - It lacks ecological validity as it takes place in a very fake setting, with
possibly a fake task, therefore making it hard to generalise the results to other
environments or settings :( - It can encourage demand characteristics as participants
know they are being watched/recorded and thus they change their behaviour based
on clues on what the aim is, to suit what the researcher wants to see, this affects the
accuracy of the results Outline a field experiment and evaluate it -
answer✔✔Takes place in a real environment such as a school, and there is then an
IV that is manipulated to effect the DV. :) - Less prone to demand characteristics as
people may not know they are taking part is an experiment and thus will display
natural behaviour :) - High ecological validity as the setting is real life meaning the
findings can then be generalised to other settings beyond the study :( - It lacks
reliability in the findings as it is done in a setting where there is little control over
confounding variables meaning it is difficult to replicate it and get consistency in
results :( - Ethical issues can arise when conducting a field experiment as people are
not aware they are taking part and thus there is no informed consent that they are
giving to be able to study them, therefore there is risk that the participants will not
want their results used and thus must be removed Outline a natural experiment and
evaluate it - answer✔✔In a real setting with a naturally occurring IV, for example
looking at the effect of stress after an earthquake hits a city. :) - Participants show no
Page | 1
Experiments, and Observations (Complete Exam Q&A)
Description:
This document provides a full set of verified questions and answers on research
methods for AQA A Level Psychology. It covers experimental and non-experimental
designs, observations, interviews, case studies, and correlational research.
Strengths and limitations of each method are clearly explained to match exam
requirements. This comprehensive guide ensures students can confidently handle
methodology questions in assessments.
Methods are what psychologists use to conduct their research. There are two areas
of methods, what are these? - answer✔✔Experimental Methods and Non-
Experimental Methods Outline what experimental methods consist of -
answer✔✔Lab, natural, field and quasi experiments Outline what non-
experimental methods consist of - answer✔✔Correlational analysis, observations,
case studies and self report (interviews and questionnaires) Outline a lab experiment
and evaluate it - answer✔✔Conducted within a lab which has high control over
the environment. :) - High level of control over variables meaning that extraneous
, variables are likely to be controlled and thus a cause and effect relationship can be
established between IV and DV :) - High reliability of results due to the tight control
over variables meaning that it can be repeated and findings can be checked for
Page | 2
consistency :( - It lacks ecological validity as it takes place in a very fake setting, with
possibly a fake task, therefore making it hard to generalise the results to other
environments or settings :( - It can encourage demand characteristics as participants
know they are being watched/recorded and thus they change their behaviour based
on clues on what the aim is, to suit what the researcher wants to see, this affects the
accuracy of the results Outline a field experiment and evaluate it -
answer✔✔Takes place in a real environment such as a school, and there is then an
IV that is manipulated to effect the DV. :) - Less prone to demand characteristics as
people may not know they are taking part is an experiment and thus will display
natural behaviour :) - High ecological validity as the setting is real life meaning the
findings can then be generalised to other settings beyond the study :( - It lacks
reliability in the findings as it is done in a setting where there is little control over
confounding variables meaning it is difficult to replicate it and get consistency in
results :( - Ethical issues can arise when conducting a field experiment as people are
not aware they are taking part and thus there is no informed consent that they are
giving to be able to study them, therefore there is risk that the participants will not
want their results used and thus must be removed Outline a natural experiment and
evaluate it - answer✔✔In a real setting with a naturally occurring IV, for example
looking at the effect of stress after an earthquake hits a city. :) - Participants show no
