3. AQA A-level Psychology research methods Set 3

what is one tailed directional

predicts the direction and nature of the effect, uses words like higher, lower, more precise than non-directional

what is an example of a one tailed directional hypothesis

pts who read digits aloud will remember a higher number of digits than pts who read sub vocally

what is two tailed non directional

the direction /effect is not specified, predicts there WILL be a difference between conditions, the IV WILL have an effect on the DV

what is an example of two tailed non-directional

the method of reading the digits will have an effect on the number of digits recalled = not fully operationalised

what is a null hypothesis

the IV will have NO effect on the DV, NO difference between conditions

what is an example of a null hypothesis

just turn the non-directional hypothesis into the null e.g. there will be no difference in….

what does operationalising mean

Defining variables in measurable, testable terms for research.

give the operationalised definition of the psychological variable health

specifies the indicators or metrics used to measure health and functioning e.g. study or health assessment

give the operationalised definition of the psychological variable attractiveness

specifies how the concept of attractiveness will be measured in a particular study

give the operationalised definition of the psychological variable STM

a temporary mental state that holds information for a short period of seconds and requires active maintenance to remember (retriveal)

what is experimental design

how pts are allocated to different conditions of the IV, could be both conditions or only 1 condition

what are the 3 types of experimental design

independent, repeated measures and matches pairs

what are the 4 types of experimental methods

lab, field, quasi and natural

what is an experimental group / condition

pts does receive the experimental treatment e.g. learn words with music

what is a control group / condition

gives a baseline measurement for the pts and doesn’t receive the experimental method e.g. no music

what is independent groups

2 separate groups of pts only take part in 1 of the 2 conditions

matched pairs

2 separate groups of pts who only take part in 1 of 2 conditions and are matched on key characteristics

what is repeated measures

group of pts who take part in both conditions, as controls for individual differences

advantages of independent groups

no repetition effects

lower risk of demand characteristics

faster to conduct

disadvantages of independent group

variables between pts

more pts needed (costly)

random allocation may not control ALL differences