A Level Psychology Edexcel Research Methods

Question 1

True or False: Qualitative research methods focus on numerical data.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Fill in the blank: The __________ variable is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment.

Answer 2

independent

Question 3

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 3

A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

Question 4

What type of research method uses interviews and focus groups?

Answer 4

Qualitative research method

Question 5

What is the main purpose of a control group?

Answer 5

To serve as a baseline comparison and isolate the effects of the independent variable.

Question 6

What does ‘operationalization’ mean?

Answer 6

The process of defining variables in practical, measurable terms.

Question 7

True or False: Correlational studies can determine cause and effect.

Answer 7

False

Question 8

Fill in the blank: In a __________ study, the same participants are observed at multiple points in time.

Answer 8

longitudinal

Question 9

What is a random sample?

Answer 9

A sampling method where every individual has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 10

What is the purpose of ethical guidelines in psychological research?

Answer 10

To ensure the safety, dignity, and welfare of participants.

Question 11

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT an ethical principle? A) Informed Consent B) Debriefing C) Deception D) Coercion

Answer 11

D) Coercion

Question 12

What is the main difference between qualitative and quantitative research?

Answer 12

Qualitative research focuses on understanding concepts and experiences, while quantitative research focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis.

Question 13

True or False: A case study is a type of observational research.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What is the significance of the ‘p-value’ in research?

Answer 14

The p-value indicates the probability that the observed results occurred by chance, with a common threshold of p < 0.05 for statistical significance.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: A __________ design involves comparing different groups of participants.

Answer 15

cross-sectional

Question 16

What is a self report method?

Answer 16

A research method that involves asking participants questions to gather data on their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

Question 17

Multiple Choice: Which method is best for establishing cause-and-effect relationships? A) Correlational Study B) Experimental Study C) Survey D) Case Study

Answer 17

B) Experimental Study

Question 18

What is meant by ‘confounding variables’?

Answer 18

Variables that are not controlled in an experiment and may affect the outcome, leading to erroneous conclusions.

Question 19

True or False: A longitudinal study can identify changes over time.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

What is the difference between a primary and secondary data?

Answer 20

Primary data is collected firsthand by the researcher, while secondary data is previously collected data used for a new analysis.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: The __________ method involves observing behavior in natural settings without interference.

Answer 21

naturalistic observation

Question 22

What is a double-blind study?

Answer 22

A study design where both the participants and the researchers are unaware of which participants are in the control or experimental groups.

Question 23

What is meant by ‘validity’ in research?

Answer 23

Validity refers to the extent to which a study accurately measures or reflects the concept it intends to measure.

Question 24

True or False: Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

What is the purpose of a pilot study?

Answer 25

To test the feasibility, time, cost, and adverse events involved in a research study before the main study.

Question 26

What does 'informed consent' require from participants?

Answer 26

Participants must be fully informed about the nature of the study and voluntarily agree to participate.

Question 27

What is a meta-analysis?

Answer 27

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to identify overall trends.

Question 28

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a disadvantage of questionnaires? A) They are time-consuming B) They can be expensive C) They may have low response rates D) They are always reliable

Answer 28

C) They may have low response rates

Question 29

What is the role of a debriefing in research?

Answer 29

To inform participants about the study's purpose and any deception used, as well as to provide support if needed.

Question 30

True or False: Observational studies can be either structured or unstructured.

Answer 30

True

Question 31

Fill in the blank: __________ validity refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other settings.

Answer 31

Ecological

Question 32

What is a Likert scale?

Answer 32

A rating scale used to measure attitudes or opinions, typically ranging from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree.'

Question 33

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an advantage of qualitative research? A) It provides numerical data B) It allows for in-depth understanding C) It is time-efficient D) It is easy to analyze

Answer 33

B) It allows for in-depth understanding

Question 34

What is 'participant observation'?

Answer 34

A research method where the researcher becomes part of the group being studied to gain insight.

Question 35

True or False: The experimental method is the only way to establish causation.

Answer 35

True

Question 36

Fill in the blank: __________ bias occurs when the researcher unintentionally influences the participants' responses.

Answer 36

Researcher/Observer

Question 37

What is a case study?

Answer 37

An in-depth analysis of an individual, group, or event to explore complex issues.

Question 38

Multiple Choice: Which sampling method gives every member of the population an equal chance of being selected? A) Stratified B) Systematic C) Random D) Convenience

Answer 38

C) Random

Question 39

What is the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics?

Answer 39

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics draw conclusions and make predictions based on data.

Question 40

True or False: A correlation coefficient can range from -1 to +1.

Answer 40

True

Question 41

What is the main advantage of using experiments in research?

Answer 41

Experiments allow researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships by controlling variables.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: __________ is the ability of a test to measure what it claims to measure.

Answer 42

Validity

Question 43

What is 'sampling bias'?

Answer 43

A bias that occurs when the sample is not representative of the population, leading to skewed results.

Question 44

Multiple Choice: At what stage of research is a hypothesis formulated? A) Data Collection B) Analysis C) Planning D) Reporting

Answer 44

C) Planning

Question 45

What is 'longitudinal research'?

Answer 45

Research that follows the same subjects over a period of time to observe changes.

Question 46

Fill in the blank: __________ is the consistency of a measure across different occasions.

Answer 46

Reliability

Question 47

What does 'debriefing' involve?

Answer 47

Explaining the purpose and procedures of the study to participants after it has concluded.

Question 48

Multiple Choice: Which type of research is characterized by manipulation of variables? A) Descriptive B) Correlational C) Experimental D) Observational

Answer 48

C) Experimental

Question 49

What is the purpose of random assignment in experiments?

Answer 49

To ensure that each participant has an equal chance of being placed in any group, minimising bias.

Question 50

True or False: Ethical considerations are not important in psychological research.

Answer 50

False

Question 51

Fill in the blank: __________ measures the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

Answer 51

Correlation

Question 52

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a qualitative data analysis method? A) Statistical Analysis B) Thematic Analysis C) Regression Analysis D) ANOVA

Answer 52

B) Thematic Analysis

Question 53

True or False: The purpose of a literature review is to summarize previous research on a topic.

Answer 53

True

Question 54

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a disadvantage of observational research? A) It is time-consuming B) It provides quantitative data C) It is easy to replicate D) It lacks depth

Answer 54

A) It is time-consuming

Question 55

What is 'debriefing'?

Answer 55

A process of informing participants about the study's purpose and addressing any concerns after participation.

Question 56

True or False: A hypothesis must be falsifiable.

Answer 56

True

Question 57

Fill in the blank: __________ validity assesses whether a study's findings can be applied to real-world settings.

Answer 57

Ecological

Question 58

What is the main goal of descriptive statistics?

Answer 58

To summarize and describe the main features of a dataset.

Question 59

What is 'operational definition'?

Answer 59

A clear and precise description of how variables are measured or manipulated in a study.

Question 60

True or False: A participant's right to withdraw must be respected at all times during a study.

Answer 60

True

Question 61

Fill in the blank: __________ sampling involves dividing the population into subgroups and randomly sampling from each.

Answer 61

Stratified

Question 62

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an advantage of qualitative research? A) It is easy to analyze B) It provides rich, detailed data C) It is time-efficient D) It is objective

Answer 62

B) It provides rich, detailed data

Question 63

What is a 'null hypothesis'?

Answer 63

A statement that there is no effect or no difference, which researchers aim to test against.

Question 64

True or False: A sample must always represent the entire population.

Answer 64

False

Question 65

Fill in the blank: __________ refers to the degree to which a study's findings can be generalized.

Answer 65

External validity