Complete& Accurate Research
Methods 2024 - A-Level Psychology
notes Verified & Rated 5 “A*****’’
,Complete& Accurate Research Methods 2024 - A-Level Psychology notes Verified & Rated 5
“A*****’’
Experimental
How does it work? Strengths Limitations
method
- conducted in a well-controlled environment - accurate measurements - low ecological validity – artificial
- researcher decides the procedure - high control of variables setting makes it harder to apply to
Laboratory
- participants are randomly allocated to each - easy to replicate real-life
experiments
independent variable group - reliable - demand characteristics from the
experimenter may cause bias
thus confounding results
- done in everyday, real life, environments of participants - low chance of demand characteristics: - little control over extraneous variables
- the experimenter still manipulates the participants won’t purposefully which might impact the reliability of
Field experiments independent variable, but in a real life setting change their behaviour = more the results
realistic results - low internal validity (not well structured)
- high ecological validity: it takes place - difficult to replicate as the same
in a natural setting and participants setting can’t be used
are more likely to act natural
- real-life setting - high ecological validity: research takes - Low control over variables: so a cause
place in a natural environment & effect relationship cannot be
- experimenter has no control over the variables
Natural established accurately
- low chance of demand characteristics
experiments - Independent variable is naturally occurring - low internal validity
- Unreliable and can’t be replicated
- used when the researcher is interested in a specific - an accurate cause & effect in - lower external validity (not
independent variable that CANNOT BE randomly the experiment universal because it lacks
assigned, like: randomisation)
- reduces the difficulty &
Quasi o innate characteristics (personality) ethical concerns
experiments
o create a set initial criteria to then investigate further
as an experiment
- a specific sampling method is used, rather than randomised
Observatio
nal
How does it work?
Strengths Limitations
technique
,Complete& Accurate Research Methods 2024 - A-Level Psychology notes Verified & Rated 5
“A*****’’
Naturalistic Behaviour is studied in a natural situation where the - realistic picture of spontaneous behaviour - little control of all the other things that are
observation researcher does not interfere with what happens happening, meaning something unknown to
- high in ecological validity, but it can be less the observer may account for the behaviour
if the participants knows they’re being observed
observed.
As the researcher regulates the environment, the - in controlled observation the observer - control comes at the cost of the artificial
Controlled naturalness of the setting is reduced and a higher can focus on particular aspects of setting and as a result participants’
observation risk of demand characteristics from the participants behaviour behaviour also being less natural
Participants don’t know that they are being observed - natural behaviour from participants - Ethical issues: observing people in public
Covert
before or during the study without their consent, and not stalking
observation
or invading someone’s personal space
Participants know they are being observed. - Structured observation - possibility of demand characteristics as
Observers try to be as unobtrusive as possible so as participants known they’re being
- Detail
not to affect the results. watched
- Evidence
- No ethical issues
Overt observation
- Ask questions
- Natural
- Positivist Objective
- Higher level of reliability
The observer is part of the group being observed. - provides insights from within the - Ethical issues: observing people in public
Participant
The observer may be a confederate, without the participant group about the behaviour without their consent, and not stalking
observation
other participants being aware of it. ‘A trojan horse’ or invading someone’s personal space
The observer observes from a distance and doesn’t - observers are likely to be more objective - Ethical issues: observing people in public
Non-participant
interact with the people being observed. because they are not part of the group without their consent, and not stalking
observation
being observed or invading someone’s personal space
Self-report
How does it works? Strengths Limitations
technique
Methods 2024 - A-Level Psychology
notes Verified & Rated 5 “A*****’’
,Complete& Accurate Research Methods 2024 - A-Level Psychology notes Verified & Rated 5
“A*****’’
Experimental
How does it work? Strengths Limitations
method
- conducted in a well-controlled environment - accurate measurements - low ecological validity – artificial
- researcher decides the procedure - high control of variables setting makes it harder to apply to
Laboratory
- participants are randomly allocated to each - easy to replicate real-life
experiments
independent variable group - reliable - demand characteristics from the
experimenter may cause bias
thus confounding results
- done in everyday, real life, environments of participants - low chance of demand characteristics: - little control over extraneous variables
- the experimenter still manipulates the participants won’t purposefully which might impact the reliability of
Field experiments independent variable, but in a real life setting change their behaviour = more the results
realistic results - low internal validity (not well structured)
- high ecological validity: it takes place - difficult to replicate as the same
in a natural setting and participants setting can’t be used
are more likely to act natural
- real-life setting - high ecological validity: research takes - Low control over variables: so a cause
place in a natural environment & effect relationship cannot be
- experimenter has no control over the variables
Natural established accurately
- low chance of demand characteristics
experiments - Independent variable is naturally occurring - low internal validity
- Unreliable and can’t be replicated
- used when the researcher is interested in a specific - an accurate cause & effect in - lower external validity (not
independent variable that CANNOT BE randomly the experiment universal because it lacks
assigned, like: randomisation)
- reduces the difficulty &
Quasi o innate characteristics (personality) ethical concerns
experiments
o create a set initial criteria to then investigate further
as an experiment
- a specific sampling method is used, rather than randomised
Observatio
nal
How does it work?
Strengths Limitations
technique
,Complete& Accurate Research Methods 2024 - A-Level Psychology notes Verified & Rated 5
“A*****’’
Naturalistic Behaviour is studied in a natural situation where the - realistic picture of spontaneous behaviour - little control of all the other things that are
observation researcher does not interfere with what happens happening, meaning something unknown to
- high in ecological validity, but it can be less the observer may account for the behaviour
if the participants knows they’re being observed
observed.
As the researcher regulates the environment, the - in controlled observation the observer - control comes at the cost of the artificial
Controlled naturalness of the setting is reduced and a higher can focus on particular aspects of setting and as a result participants’
observation risk of demand characteristics from the participants behaviour behaviour also being less natural
Participants don’t know that they are being observed - natural behaviour from participants - Ethical issues: observing people in public
Covert
before or during the study without their consent, and not stalking
observation
or invading someone’s personal space
Participants know they are being observed. - Structured observation - possibility of demand characteristics as
Observers try to be as unobtrusive as possible so as participants known they’re being
- Detail
not to affect the results. watched
- Evidence
- No ethical issues
Overt observation
- Ask questions
- Natural
- Positivist Objective
- Higher level of reliability
The observer is part of the group being observed. - provides insights from within the - Ethical issues: observing people in public
Participant
The observer may be a confederate, without the participant group about the behaviour without their consent, and not stalking
observation
other participants being aware of it. ‘A trojan horse’ or invading someone’s personal space
The observer observes from a distance and doesn’t - observers are likely to be more objective - Ethical issues: observing people in public
Non-participant
interact with the people being observed. because they are not part of the group without their consent, and not stalking
observation
being observed or invading someone’s personal space
Self-report
How does it works? Strengths Limitations
technique
