Exam Questions

Question 1

Why would you use a controlled observation and a standardised script?

Answer 1

-controlled environment - removes any EV that might affect the IV = increases reliability
-standardised script - researchers follow strict guidelines - removes researcher bias - increases validity

Question 2

Identify one limitation of controlled observations

Answer 2

-ecological validity

Question 3

Describe how observers could use time sampling to record the social behaviour of each child during a 5 minute period

Answer 3

-time sampling = target group is identified, then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame
-record child’s behaviour at set time intervals during the time period
-at specified time intervals - mark one or more categories from behavioural checklist

Question 4

Explain how the reliability of the controlled observation could be assessed through inter-observer reliability

Answer 4

-data from different observers are compared to check for consistency
-2 observers would use same categories and agree an interpretation of each social behaviour
-make independent talles and then compare to calculate correlation

Question 5

Explain one reason why collecting quantitative data could reduce the validity of a study

Answer 5

-purely statistical
-social behaviours are complex so quantifying them will details

Question 6

Describe features of the abstract section in a scientific report

Answer 6

-first section of a report
-brief summary
-contains aims, methods, results and conclusions

Question 7

Explain why statistical testing is used in psychological research

Answer 7

-to identify any significant differences in the data collection that could be down to chance

Question 8

What is meant by a case study?

Answer 8

-an in depth study over time looking at a certain individual or group of people
-aims to represent the researchers hypothesis

Question 9

Outline 1 weakness of using a case study

Answer 9

-may lack ecological validity
-environment is very individualistic which reduces its validity when applied to other people

Question 10

How could a psychologist maintain confidentiality when reporting a case study?

Answer 10

-keep the identity of the person hidden
-use a different name, and keep adresses hidden

Question 11

Explain one or more limitations of using case studies

Answer 11

-extremely individualistic and personal to the person
-makes it hard to apply to other people
-evidence from them may be hard to verify
-researchers may also get to know the person well, which might lead to loss of objectivity

Question 12

What is meant by the term content analysis?

Answer 12

-comparing data according to themes and categories