OCR Research Methods Revision

A 49-page revision summary covering the topic of Research Methods for the OCR Psychology A-Level specification.

Includes:

Experiment; • laboratory experiment • field experiment • quasi experiment.

Observation; • structured • unstructured • naturalistic • controlled • participant • non-participant • overt • covert. 

Self-report; • questionnaire • Interviews: o structured, semi-structured, unstructured.

Correlation; • obtaining data for correlational analysis • positive correlation • negative correlation • no correlation. 

Aims and hypotheses and how to formulate; • research aim • research question • null hypotheses • alternative hypotheses • one-tailed (directional) hypotheses • two-tailed (non-directional) hypotheses.

Populations, samples and sampling techniques; • target population and sample • random sampling • snowball sampling • opportunity sampling • self-selected sampling.

Experimental designs; • repeated measures design • independent measures design • matched participants design.

Variables and how they are operationalised; • independent variable (IV) • dependent variable (DV) • control of extraneous variables.

Designing observations; • behavioural categories • coding frames • time sampling • event sampling.

Designing self-reports; • open questions • closed questions • rating scales: (i) Likert rating scale, (ii) Semantic differential rating scale. 

Raw data; • design of raw data recording tables • use of raw data recording tables • standard and decimal form • significant figures • make estimations from data collected.

Levels and types of data; • nominal level data • ordinal level data • interval level data • quantitative data • qualitative data • primary data • secondary data.

Descriptive statistics; • measures of central tendency o mode, median, mean. • measures of dispersion o variance, range, standard deviation. • ratio • percentages • fractions • frequency tables (tally chart) • line graph • pie charts • bar charts • histograms • scatter diagram. 

Inferential statistics; • normal distribution curves • skewed distribution curves • probability • significance levels • using statistical tables of critical values • criteria for using a parametric test • criteria for using a specific non-parametric inferential test (Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, Chi-square, Binomial Sign test and Spearman’s Rho) • understand the use of specific non-parametric inferential tests (Mann Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, Chi-square, Binomial Sign test and Spearman’s Rho) • type 1 errors • type 2 errors • symbols: =, <, <<, >>, >, ∝, ~

Methodological issues; • representativeness • generalisability • reliability: Internal, External, Inter-rater, Test-retest, Split-half • validity: Internal, Face, Construct, Concurrent, Criterion, External, Population, Ecological • demand characteristics • social desirability • researcher/observer bias • researcher/observer effect(s) • ethical considerations, including the British Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics and Conduct: Respect – informed consent, right to withdraw, confidentiality, Competence, Responsibility – protection of participant, debrief, Integrity – deception.

Sections and sub-sections of a practical report; • abstract • introduction • method (design, sample, materials/apparatus, procedure) • results • discussion • references • appendices.

Citing academic references; • a familiarity with citing academic research using the Harvard system of referencing.

Peer review; • appreciate the role of the psychological community in validating new knowledge and ensuring integrity through the process of peer review.

How science works; • the study of cause-and-effect • falsification • replicability • objectivity • induction • deduction • hypothesis testing • manipulation of variables • control and standardisation • quantifiable measurements.

Concise facts to use for revision, creating mind maps or flashcards. Can be used by both students and teachers.