PS5: Research Methods (Part 2)

Research Methods (Part 2)

Data analysis and ethics in psychology: quantitative and qualitative data, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, data presentation, ethical issues and the BPS code of conduct.

📋 Key Vocabulary and Concepts

For Research Methods (Part 2), you must know:

• Quantitative data
• Qualitative data
• Primary data
• Secondary data
• Mean
• Median
• Mode
• Range
• Standard deviation
• Bar chart
• Histogram
• Scatter graph
• Informed consent
• Deception
• Protection from harm
• Right to withdraw
• Debriefing
• BPS Code of Conduct

❓ Practice Questions

✅ Answers

1. Quantitative: numerical, easy to analyse and compare, objective. But lacks depth and context. Qualitative: rich, detailed, captures experiences. But harder to analyse, subjective. Both types are valuable - mixed methods provide a more complete picture.
2. Informed consent: participants must know what they are agreeing to - without it, their autonomy is violated. Deception: misleading participants undermines trust - only justified if the research question cannot be addressed otherwise. Protection from harm: researchers must minimise risks.
3. Mean > median > mode suggests a positively skewed distribution - a few high scores are pulling the mean upwards. The median (12) is a better measure of central tendency here because it is less affected by the extreme high scores than the mean (15).

🎯 Exam Tips

• Mean = average (affected by outliers). Median = middle (not affected by outliers). Mode = most common.
• Informed consent + Right to withdraw + Debriefing = the ethical minimum for any study.
• Bar chart = categorical data (gaps between bars). Histogram = continuous data (no gaps).

📝 Exam Technique

⚠️ Common Errors

✍️ Model Answer

📊 AO Deep Dive

📝 Exam Questions by Topic

• AQA Past Papers - Topic Questions -- AQA
• Edexcel Past Papers - Topic Questions -- Edexcel
• OCR Past Papers - Topic Questions -- OCR
• Eduqas Past Papers - Topic Questions -- Eduqas
• CCEA Past Papers - Topic Questions -- CCEA

🎬 Video Resources

• BBC Bitesize - Data Analysis & Ethics
• Ethics in Psychology (YouTube)

Detailed Notes

Key Studies and Theories in Research Methods (Part 2)

Research Methods (Part 2) is a core topic in GCSE Psychology that requires understanding of key studies, theories and research methods. The AQA, OCR and Edexcel specifications all require you to know specific studies in detail, evaluate their methodology, and apply psychological concepts to real-life scenarios. When studying research methods (part 2), focus on: the aims, methods, results and conclusions of key studies; the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods used; and how psychological understanding of research methods (part 2) applies to everyday life.

Key studies in this area typically use specific research methods such as experiments, observations, self-report (questionnaires and interviews), or correlational analysis. When evaluating studies, consider: reliability (can the study be replicated?); validity (does it measure what it claims to measure?); ethics (were participants protected from harm?); generalisability (can the findings be applied beyond the study sample?); and usefulness (does the research have practical applications?).

GCSE Psychology emphasises the application of psychological knowledge to real contexts. You must be able to explain how understanding of research methods (part 2) can be used to improve people’s lives, influence policy, or solve practical problems.

Evaluating Research in Research Methods (Part 2)

Evaluation is a crucial skill in GCSE Psychology. When evaluating studies related to research methods (part 2), use the GRAVE method: Generalisability (can the findings be applied to the wider population?), Reliability (are the results consistent if the study is repeated?), Applications (how can the findings be used in real life?), Validity (does the study measure what it claims to measure?), and Ethics (were participants treated ethically?).

Research methods commonly used in research methods (part 2) research include: laboratory experiments (high control but low ecological validity), field experiments (more realistic but less control), natural experiments (no manipulation of variables), case studies (in-depth but not generalisable), questionnaires (large samples but social desirability bias), and observations (natural behaviour but ethical concerns). Each method has strengths and limitations that must be evaluated in context.

Ethical issues in research methods (part 2) research include: informed consent (participants must agree to take part), debriefing (explaining the true purpose after the study), confidentiality (protecting participants’ identities), protection from harm (no physical or psychological damage), and right to withdraw (participants can leave at any time). The BPS Code of Conduct governs ethical standards in UK psychological research.

Applying Research Methods (Part 2) to Real Life

GCSE Psychology requires you to apply psychological understanding of research methods (part 2) to everyday situations. Consider how the theories and studies you have learned about explain real behaviour: How does research methods (part 2) affect people in schools, workplaces, families and communities? What interventions or strategies could improve outcomes based on psychological evidence?

When applying research methods (part 2) to real-life scenarios, use the following structure: identify the relevant psychological concept, explain how it applies to the scenario, support your explanation with evidence from a named study, and evaluate the strength of the application (are there limitations or alternative explanations?).

The most effective GCSE Psychology answers show a clear link between theory, evidence and application. Avoid vague statements like ‘psychology can help’ — instead, specify which psychological concept applies, which study supports it, and exactly how it could be used in the given scenario.

Comparison Table

Additional Practice Questions