AQA – Research Methods I – GCSE

This resource is strictly for the use of member schools for as long as they remain members of The PiXL Club Ltd.© February 2019 The PiXL Club Ltd. All rights reserved.

The experimental method (variables)

• Chewing gum whilst learning will have a positive effect on memory. Write a testable DV for this study. (2 marks)

• Speeding whilst driving will cause more accidents. Identify the IV and the DV in this study. (4 marks)

The experimental method (hypotheses)

• Write a suitable testable hypothesis for a study looking at the effects of watching TV on sleep quality. (3 marks)

• Write a suitable null hypothesis for this study. (2 marks)

The experimental method (types)

• Give one strength and one weakness of laboratory experiments. (3 marks)

• Give one strength and one weakness of field experiments. (3 marks)

• Give one strength and one weakness of natural experiments. (3 marks)

Target populations and samples

• Explain the difference between the target population and a sample. (2 marks)

• What problems with a sample might prevent us from making generalisations from the results to the target population? How could we control these? (5 marks)

The experimental method (standardisation)

• Identify 2 extraneous variables in a study on the effects of music on memory and state how these could be controlled. (4 marks)

• Why is it important that all participants are given the same instructions in a study? (2 marks)

• Write a brief for a study looking at the effects of music on memory. (4 marks)

The experimental method (allocation)

• What type of experimental design would you use random allocation for? (1 mark)

• What type of experimental design would require the use of counterbalancing? (1 mark)

• What are the benefits of random allocation? (2 marks)• What are the benefits of counterbalancing (2 marks)

© February 2019 The PiXL Club Ltd. All rights reserved. This resource is strictly for the use of member schools for as long as they remain members of The PiXL Club Ltd.

Psychology ResearchMethods I - GCSE

The experimental method (design)

• Give a strength and a weakness of an independent measures design. (3 marks)

• Give a strength and a weakness of a repeated measures design. (3 marks)

• Give a strength and a weakness of a matched pairs design. (3 marks)

Sampling methods

• What is a strength and a weakness of random sampling? (4 marks)

• What is a strength and a weakness of opportunity sampling? (4 marks)

• What is a strength and a weakness of systematic sampling? (4 marks)

• What is a strength and a weakness of stratified sampling? (4 marks)