General psychology

How to answer a 4 mark compare question

Identify 1 similarity and expand, identify 1 difference and expand.

How to write 12 marker evaluate 2 models

4 paragraphs, 1- A01 1st, 2- A03 2nd (1 strength/1weakness), 3- A01 second model, 4- A03 2nd model (1 strength/1weakness)

ADD CONCLUSION ABOUT WHICH ONE IS BETTER

Internal Validity definitely

The accuracy of what we are measuring, measured by the effect of the IV on the DV, Can be improved by single blind/double technique

External Validity definition

Applying findings to other settings/populations, can be improved by doing as much research in different settings as possible.

3 types of validity

Face validity: does it look valid

Concurrent validity: wether the result is similar to another existing measures

Predictive validity: How well the data allows prediction of future performance

What is internal reliability?

Refers to replicability and standardisation, can it be measured/observed repeatedly, assessed using the split half method comparing one half of the test with the other, can be improved by a pilot study

What is external reliability?

Refers to consistency with other findings of the same subject/test, assessed by correlational analysis on each test if it’s higher=more reliable, can be improved my more than 1 researcher collecting data

What is GRAVE used for?

Evaluating studies

What is Application

Refers to the usefulness of the findings (Can it be used to solve problems, how?)

What is generalisability

Refers to the target population (how were they recruited) and how their results can be applied to other groups of people.

What is validity

Refers to accuracy and whether or not it can be trusted (Did it measure what it was supposed to?)

How to write an 8 mark evaluation

4 marks for A01 description, 4 marks for evaluation 1 strength and 1 weakness (P- one strength/weakness from scout, E- Justify why you’ve made the point E- explain why it’s a good/bad thing) ADD A CONCLUSION ABOUT IF THE STRENGTH OUTWEIGHS THE WEAKNESS.

What is ethics and what does it consider?

How participants were treated, -Informed consent, deception, right to withdraw, privacy, confidentiality, protection from harm.

What is supporting evidence?

Any studies showing the theory is good/correct

What is SCOUT used for?

Evaluating theories

What is usefulness?

Similar to application, is it useful for society, why?

What is opposing theories

Any alternative explanation -no evidence

What is testability?

How easy it is to carry out a research study on the theory, can you conduct an experiment?

When would you choose Chi squared as a statistical test

When you have nominal data

When would you choose spearman’s rho as a statistical test

Correlational studies

When would you choose mann whitney U as a statistical test

If you have carried out an experiment and used an independent groups design

When would you choose Wilcoxon as a statistical test

If you’ve carried out an experiment and used a repeated measures design

Chi-squared steps

Put the frequencies in a table and calculate row and column totals

Calculate the grand total (number of cases which is either the sum of the rows or columns not both)

Calcular the expected frequencies (E) for each box in the table (row total x column total/grand total)

Calculate (O-E)² for each box

Add all values together to give the x² value

Calculate the df (degrees of freedom) = (number of rows -1) x (number of columns-1)