AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 2: RESEARCH METHODS Exam Questions & Answers

Type 1 error** - ANSWER -The null hypothesis is rejected and an alternative hypothesis is accepted when the null hypothesis is true. Optimistic error, more likely if significance level is too lenient. Type 2 error** - ANSWER -When the null hypothesis is accepted but the alternative hypothesis is true. Pessimistic error, more likely when the significance level is too low. Reliability - ANSWER - Assessing reliability - ANSWER -Test re-test reliability: Inter-observer: Correlation: In test re-test and inter-observer reliability, the scores are correlated and the correlation coeffiencey should exceed +0.80 for reliability Improving reliability* - ANSWER -Questionairres- rewrite questions: questionnaires that produce low test re-test reliability sometimes need to be rewritten. Researcher may replace some open questions with closed ec. Interviews- improved training: Best way to ensure reliability is to use the same interviewer each time, if this is not possible all interviewers must be trained so they avoid leading questions. Experiments- Standardised procedures: Observations: operationalisation of behavioural categories- if behavioural categories are measurable then they are less open to interpretation. categories should not overlap and all possible behaviours should be included, if this is not the case then the research may end up with inconsistent findings. Validity - ANSWER - Assessing validity - ANSWER - Improving validity - ANSWER - Choosing a statistical test - ANSWER -college meals upset stomaches with tomatoes, crisps, sweets & Pepsi Probability - ANSWER - Psychological report** - ANSWER -Abstract summary of study (includes aims and hypothesis, method, results and conclusions. Introduction- looks at relevant theories, concepts and studies that are related to the current study Method- should include sufficient detail so study can be replicated, requires a design, sample, materials, procedure and ethics.