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QA GCSE Psychology Topic Map Paper 1 Research Methods 1

Outline and evaluate these types of experiments Outline and evaluate sampling methods

Lab Random:
Strength: Strength:
Limitation: Limitation:
Field: Opportunity:
Strength: Strength:
Limitation: Limitation:
Natural:
Systematic:
Strength:
Strength:
Limitation:
Limitation:

Stratified:
Outline and evaluate these types of observations Strength:

Naturalistic: Limitation:

Controlled:
Covert: Outline & evaluate questionnaire methods
Overt:
Open questions:
Participant:
Closed questions:
Non-participant:
Strength:
Categories of behaviour:
Limitation:
Interobserver reliability
Strength:
Limitation: Explain the purpose of correlations

Outline and evaluate interview methods Strength:

Structured: Limitation:

Unstructured:

Semi-structured: Evaluate the case study method

Strength: Strength:
Limitation: Limitation:
advance information 20
QA GCSE Psychology Topic Map Paper 1 Research Methods 1
Outline and evaluate these types of experiments Outline and evaluate sampling methods

Lab: Takes place in a controlled environment, the IV is manipulated, e.g. Asch. Random: Participants have an equal chance of being selected.
Strength: High control of variables. Strength: No bias.
Limitation: Low ecological validity. Limitation: Time consuming.
Field: Takes place in a natural setting, IV is manipulated, e.g. Piliavin. Opportunity: Uses who is available and willing.
Strength: Participants behave naturally. Strength: Quicker and cheaper.
Limitation: There is less control of variables. Limitation: Unrepresentative.
Natural: The IV occurs naturally. Systematic: Participants are selected from a list (e.g. every ‘nth’ person).
Strength: Participants behave naturally. Strength: Avoids researcher bias.
Limitation: Time consuming to wait for opportunities. Limitation: Unrepresentative.
Stratified: Selects participants in proportion to the target population.
Outline and evaluate these types of observations Strength: Most representative method.
Limitation: Very lengthy process.
Naturalistic: Takes place in a natural environment.
Controlled: Takes place in a controlled setting, such as a lab
Outline & evaluate questionnaire methods
Covert: Participants are unaware they are being observed
Overt: Participants are aware they are being observed Open questions: Allow for elaboration in responses. Provide qualitative data.
Participant: The researcher becomes part of the group Closed questions: Provide predetermined answers to choose from. Provide quantitative data.
Non-participant: The research observes from a distance Strength: Can reach participants quickly through internet or postal surveys.
Categories of behaviour: Behaviours that will be observed, written as a list, and tallied as they occur, Limitation: Socially desirable answers may be given, affecting the validity of the results.
e.g. pushing, shouting.
Interobserver reliability: A way of ensuring data is reliable and consistent between observers
Explain the purpose of correlations
Strength: Observations provide higher validity than self-report methods, especially when covert.
Limitation: There are often ethical issues around privacy, especially with covert methods. To investigate whether two variables are related and the strength of the relationship. They can be
strong, weak, negative and positive. They can also show no correlation. Data is displayed using
scattergraphs.
Outline and evaluate interview Evaluate the case study method Strength: A good starting point for research since they can indicate what to invest time and money into
methods for further research.
Strength: Good for studying unusual behaviours
since a range of methods is used. Limitation: Cannot establish cause and effect since other variables also need to be considered.
Structured: Fixed list of questions asked.
Unstructured: Talking points only for prompts. Limitation: Often can’t generalise the results
due to small, specific samples. desirable in the
Semi-structured: Flexible, with some set interviews.
questions.
Strength: Qualitative, rich data gathered.
Limitation: Participants may act socially
desirable in the interviews.