Experimental Design & Control
Why is random allocation used in experiments?
To reduce participant variables and increase internal validity
What is an operationalised variable?
A variable defined in measurable terms
What type of validity refers to how well findings apply to the real world?
Ecological validity
Which measure of central tendency is least affected by outliers?
Median
What type of data is produced by a Likert scale?
Quantitative data
Explain the difference between random sampling and random allocation.
Random sampling selects participants from the population, while random allocation assigns participants to conditions
Operationalise the DV for a study investigating memory recall of word lists.
Number of words correctly recalled from the list
Why may laboratory studies have low ecological validity?
Artificial environments may not reflect real-life behaviour
What does a large range suggest about data?
There is high variability in scores
Explain one strength of semi-structured interviews compared to questionnaires.
Researchers can ask follow-up questions to gain more detailed responses
Why would a repeated measures design increase reliability in a memory study?
Participant differences are controlled because the same participants complete all conditions
Identify one controlled variable in Bandura’s Bobo doll study and explain its purpose.
Pre-testing aggression levels ensured groups were similar before the experiment
Explain how demand characteristics could affect results in psychological research.
Participants may change behaviour because they know the aims of the study
Why would researchers report mean, median, and mode together instead of only the mean?
It provides a fuller understanding of the distribution and potential skew in data
Distinguish between recall and recognition memory.
Recall involves retrieving information without cues, while recognition involves identifying previously learned information from options
Explain one limitation of repeated measures design and how it can be controlled.
Order effects may occur; counterbalancing can control this
Why does poor operationalisation reduce validity?
Variables may not accurately measure the intended behaviour
In Dr Manly’s Alzheimer’s study, why could self-recorded memory scores reduce reliability?
Participants with memory impairment may inaccurately record or forget results
In a study comparing recall and recognition memory, participants scored significantly higher on recognition tasks than recall tasks. What conclusion can be drawn?
Recognition memory is generally more effective than recall memory because retrieval cues are provided
Why would recognition tasks generally produce higher scores than recall tasks?
Recognition provides retrieval cues that aid memory retrieval
In the Craik and Tulving-style study, explain why using all participants in every condition could threaten validity if counterbalancing was not used.
Practice, fatigue, or learning effects could influence later conditions and affect recall performance
Construct an operationalised hypothesis for a study investigating rehearsal and recall.
Participants who use elaborative rehearsal will recall a greater number of words after 10 minutes than participants who use maintenance rehearsal
Explain the difference between reliability and validity using an example from a memory experiment.
study may consistently produce the same results (reliable) but still fail to measure actual memory ability accurately (invalid)
Why can quantitative data improve objectivity in psychological research?
Numerical data reduces subjective interpretation and allows statistical analysis
In Craik and Tulving’s levels of processing theory, explain why semantic encoding leads to superior long-term retention compared to structural encoding.
Semantic encoding processes meaning deeply, creating stronger and more durable memory traces than shallow structural processing