AQA A Level Psychology Research Methods (Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and 100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] – University of California, Berkeley

AQA A Level Psychology Research Methods (Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and 100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] – University of California, Berkeley Outline a quasi experiment and evaluate it -correct answer Quasi experiments have an IV that is based on an existing difference between people such as age, no one has manipulated this variable and it exists on its own, for example comparing achievement level of first-born children with that of later-born children. :) - They are often carried out in controlled conditions and therefore they share similar strengths to that of a lab experiment :( - Like natural experiments participants cant be randomly allocated to experimental conditions so there may be confounding variables such as individual differences Outline the 7 types of observations and for each evaluate them -correct answer Controlled observation - this is where the conditions are manipulated by the researcher and may be carried out in a laboratory :) - 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 :( - 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 Naturalistic observation - Simply watching a natural behaviour in a natural environment, no intervention occurs at all :) - No room for demand characteristics as people do not know they are being watched and thus wont change their behaviour :( - They are almost impossible to replicate and this makes it lack reliability as ow level of control over extraneous variables therefore it is hard to check for consistency Covert observation - This is where the participants are not aware they are being observed (one way mirror/CCTV) :) - No room for demand characteristics as people do not know they are being watched and thus wont change their behaviour :( - Ethical issues can arise 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 Overt observation - Participants are aware they are being observed :) - This avoids ethical issues arising :( - 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 Participan Outline what an interview is and what types of interviews there are and evaluate each -correct answer An interview is a method for asking people questions in a face to face nature which sometimes may be over the phone/computer and is good for collecting qualitative information :) - Detailed quality information can be obtained which is better than quantitative data which lacks human meaning, and thus we get a better insight into human behaviour :) - Participants freely express themselves allowing them to be honest in their answers :( - Social desirability can occur where participants lie to present themselves in the best possible light, this is more likely if the topic is of high sensitivity :( - Extremely time consuming to conduct hundreds of interviews unlike a questionnaire that can just be sent to thousands of people Structured interview - This is where questions are designed in advance with the aim of structuring participants responses, the interviewer would follow a script. :) - Less likely to deviate from the topic and thus easier to analyse the results :( - No follow up questions if a new line of enquiry appears Unstructured interview - May contain a topic area for discussion but no set questions. Provides highly detailed data but is hard to analyse :) - Effective for when the interview can adapt the questions based on the answers :( - More affected by interviewer bias as the interviewer will be coming up with questions on the spot which may be less objective/leading