AQA Psychology - Paper 2 Exam
Questions & Answers17
Self-report techniques - ANSWERS-Any method involving asking PPs about their feelings,
attitudes, beliefs etc.
Questionnaire - ANSWERS-Questionnaires are a written self-report technique where
participants are given a pre-set number of questions to respond to. Can consist of either:
• Closed questions - a pre-determined set of answers to choose from
• Open questions - where there is no restriction on how participants make their response
Strengths of questionnaires - ANSWERS-+ Cost effective
+ Can gather large amounts of data quickly
+ Easy to analyse and generalise
Weaknesses of questionnaires - ANSWERS-- Can produce response bias
- PPs may misunderstand the question or read it incorrectly
- Demand Characteristics / Social Desirability may occur
Advantages & Disadvantages of an Open Question - ANSWERS-+ Allows PPs to elaborate,
greater insight
+ Produces qualitative data - depth and detail
- People can miss them out as they can't be bothered to answer them
- Harder to analyse
,Advantages & Disadvantages of a Closed Question - ANSWERS-+ Quick and easy to answer
+ Quantitative data is easier to analyse
- Not detailed or in depth answers
- Don't find out the meaning behind the answer
Interview - ANSWERS-A live encounter (face to face or on the phone) where one person asks a
set of questions to assess an interviewees thoughts/experiences. They can be structured, semi
structured or unstructured.
Structured Interview - ANSWERS-Made up of pre-determined questions and are asked in a fixed
order.
Unstructured Interview - ANSWERS-Works like a conversation. There are no set questions. There
is a general aim that a certain topic will be discussed and interaction tends to be free flowing.
Semi-structured Interview - ANSWERS-There is a list of questions that have been worked out in
advance but interviewers are also free to ask follow up questions or deviate when they feel it is
appropriate.
Double-barreled Questions - ANSWERS-They contain two options within a single question.
Aim - ANSWERS-Identifies the purpose of the investigation
Hypothesis - ANSWERS-A precise, testable statement of what the researcher predicts will be the
the outcome of the study
Directional Hypothesis - ANSWERS-The researcher makes it clear what difference is anticipated
between the 2 conditions or groups.
(One tailed).
, Non-directional Hypothesis - ANSWERS-Simply states that there is a difference but not what the
difference will be.
Null Hypothesis - ANSWERS-There will be no relationship between the 2 variables. 'There will be
no significant difference'
Alternative/Experimental Hypothesis - ANSWERS-States that there is a relationship between the
2 variables. 'There will be a significant difference'
Meta-analysis - ANSWERS-A particular form of research method that uses secondary data. Data
from a large number of studies which have involved the same research question and method
are combined.
Quantitative Data - ANSWERS-Data that focuses on numbers and frequencies which can be
counted. e.g. experiments, questionnaires and psychometric tests.
Qualitative Data - ANSWERS-Data that describes meaning and experiences which is expresses in
words e.g. case studies, interviews and observations.
Primary Data - ANSWERS-Information that has been obtained first hand by the researcher. It is
also known as field research.
Secondary Data - ANSWERS-Information that has already been collected by previous
researchers. It is also known as 'desk research' and can be found in journal articles, books or
websites.
BPS - ANSWERS-British Psychological Society. Exists to oversee ethical issues that may arise in
research.
Questions & Answers17
Self-report techniques - ANSWERS-Any method involving asking PPs about their feelings,
attitudes, beliefs etc.
Questionnaire - ANSWERS-Questionnaires are a written self-report technique where
participants are given a pre-set number of questions to respond to. Can consist of either:
• Closed questions - a pre-determined set of answers to choose from
• Open questions - where there is no restriction on how participants make their response
Strengths of questionnaires - ANSWERS-+ Cost effective
+ Can gather large amounts of data quickly
+ Easy to analyse and generalise
Weaknesses of questionnaires - ANSWERS-- Can produce response bias
- PPs may misunderstand the question or read it incorrectly
- Demand Characteristics / Social Desirability may occur
Advantages & Disadvantages of an Open Question - ANSWERS-+ Allows PPs to elaborate,
greater insight
+ Produces qualitative data - depth and detail
- People can miss them out as they can't be bothered to answer them
- Harder to analyse
,Advantages & Disadvantages of a Closed Question - ANSWERS-+ Quick and easy to answer
+ Quantitative data is easier to analyse
- Not detailed or in depth answers
- Don't find out the meaning behind the answer
Interview - ANSWERS-A live encounter (face to face or on the phone) where one person asks a
set of questions to assess an interviewees thoughts/experiences. They can be structured, semi
structured or unstructured.
Structured Interview - ANSWERS-Made up of pre-determined questions and are asked in a fixed
order.
Unstructured Interview - ANSWERS-Works like a conversation. There are no set questions. There
is a general aim that a certain topic will be discussed and interaction tends to be free flowing.
Semi-structured Interview - ANSWERS-There is a list of questions that have been worked out in
advance but interviewers are also free to ask follow up questions or deviate when they feel it is
appropriate.
Double-barreled Questions - ANSWERS-They contain two options within a single question.
Aim - ANSWERS-Identifies the purpose of the investigation
Hypothesis - ANSWERS-A precise, testable statement of what the researcher predicts will be the
the outcome of the study
Directional Hypothesis - ANSWERS-The researcher makes it clear what difference is anticipated
between the 2 conditions or groups.
(One tailed).
, Non-directional Hypothesis - ANSWERS-Simply states that there is a difference but not what the
difference will be.
Null Hypothesis - ANSWERS-There will be no relationship between the 2 variables. 'There will be
no significant difference'
Alternative/Experimental Hypothesis - ANSWERS-States that there is a relationship between the
2 variables. 'There will be a significant difference'
Meta-analysis - ANSWERS-A particular form of research method that uses secondary data. Data
from a large number of studies which have involved the same research question and method
are combined.
Quantitative Data - ANSWERS-Data that focuses on numbers and frequencies which can be
counted. e.g. experiments, questionnaires and psychometric tests.
Qualitative Data - ANSWERS-Data that describes meaning and experiences which is expresses in
words e.g. case studies, interviews and observations.
Primary Data - ANSWERS-Information that has been obtained first hand by the researcher. It is
also known as field research.
Secondary Data - ANSWERS-Information that has already been collected by previous
researchers. It is also known as 'desk research' and can be found in journal articles, books or
websites.
BPS - ANSWERS-British Psychological Society. Exists to oversee ethical issues that may arise in
research.
