Psychology HL
Research methods — HL Paper 3
- 1.
A researcher wants to test whether listening to background music improves concentration during a reading task. They recruit 40 university students and randomly assign 20 to read with instrumental music playing and 20 to read in silence, then measure comprehension scores on the same test. (a) Identify the independent and dependent variables. (b) State the experimental design used. (c) Identify one extraneous variable the researcher should control, and explain how failing to control it could confound the results. (d) State one ethical consideration the researcher should address before running this study.
[6 marks] · no calculator - 2.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A researcher wants to test whether listening to background music improves concentration during a reading task. They recruit 40 university students and randomly assign 20 to read with instrumental music playing and 20 to read in silence, then measure comprehension scores on the same test. (a) Identify the independent and dependent variables. (b) State the experimental design used. (c) Identify one extraneous variable the researcher should control, and explain how failing to control it could confound the results. (d) State one ethical consideration the researcher should address before running this study.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies the independent variable as the presence or absence of background music.” Evaluate the response against the complete 6-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[6 marks] · no calculator - 3.
A psychologist conducts a case study of a single patient with a rare memory disorder following brain injury, using detailed interviews, cognitive testing, and family reports collected over two years. (a) State one strength of the case study method illustrated by this design. (b) State one limitation of the case study method, specifically regarding generalisability. (c) Suggest one way the researcher could improve the credibility of their findings without abandoning the case study approach. (d) Explain why triangulating multiple data sources strengthens this particular study.
[6 marks] · no calculator - 4.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A psychologist conducts a case study of a single patient with a rare memory disorder following brain injury, using detailed interviews, cognitive testing, and family reports collected over two years. (a) State one strength of the case study method illustrated by this design. (b) State one limitation of the case study method, specifically regarding generalisability. (c) Suggest one way the researcher could improve the credibility of their findings without abandoning the case study approach. (d) Explain why triangulating multiple data sources strengthens this particular study.” Their response addresses only this point: “States a valid strength, such as the case study allowing rich, in-depth data on a rare condition that could not ethically or practically be studied experimentally.” Evaluate the response against the complete 6-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[6 marks] · no calculator - 5.
A researcher finds a positive correlation between the number of hours teenagers spend on social media each day and their reported levels of anxiety. A newspaper headline claims 'Social media causes teen anxiety'. (a) Explain why this correlational finding does not justify the newspaper's causal claim. (b) Suggest one alternative explanation for the correlation, other than social media use causing anxiety.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 6.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A researcher finds a positive correlation between the number of hours teenagers spend on social media each day and their reported levels of anxiety. A newspaper headline claims 'Social media causes teen anxiety'. (a) Explain why this correlational finding does not justify the newspaper's causal claim. (b) Suggest one alternative explanation for the correlation, other than social media use causing anxiety.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that a correlation only shows that two variables change together; it does not show which variable, if either, causes the other to change.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 7.
A researcher wants to study how children resolve conflicts during free play, so she observes children at a playground from a discreet distance, recording behaviour as it naturally occurs without any intervention. A second, independent researcher separately codes the same recorded behaviour to check agreement between the two sets of observations. (a) Identify the research method used. (b) State one strength of this method, referring to ecological validity. (c) Identify the purpose of having a second researcher independently code the same behaviour.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 8.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A researcher wants to study how children resolve conflicts during free play, so she observes children at a playground from a discreet distance, recording behaviour as it naturally occurs without any intervention. A second, independent researcher separately codes the same recorded behaviour to check agreement between the two sets of observations. (a) Identify the research method used. (b) State one strength of this method, referring to ecological validity. (c) Identify the purpose of having a second researcher independently code the same behaviour.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies naturalistic (non-participant) observation.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 9.
A researcher interviewing trauma survivors decides to let each conversation flow naturally, asking open-ended follow-up questions based on what each participant says, rather than asking every participant the exact same fixed list of questions in the same order. (a) Identify the type of interview used. (b) Explain one advantage of this approach for this specific sensitive topic. (c) Explain one disadvantage of this approach for comparing responses across participants.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 10.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A researcher interviewing trauma survivors decides to let each conversation flow naturally, asking open-ended follow-up questions based on what each participant says, rather than asking every participant the exact same fixed list of questions in the same order. (a) Identify the type of interview used. (b) Explain one advantage of this approach for this specific sensitive topic. (c) Explain one disadvantage of this approach for comparing responses across participants.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies an unstructured (or semi-structured) interview.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 11.
A researcher wants a sample for a study and simply asks whichever students happen to be available and willing in the university cafeteria at lunchtime. (a) Identify this sampling technique. (b) Explain one specific way this technique could bias the resulting sample. (c) Suggest one alternative sampling technique that would better ensure every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 12.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A researcher wants a sample for a study and simply asks whichever students happen to be available and willing in the university cafeteria at lunchtime. (a) Identify this sampling technique. (b) Explain one specific way this technique could bias the resulting sample. (c) Suggest one alternative sampling technique that would better ensure every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies opportunity (convenience) sampling.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 13.
A psychologist develops a new questionnaire to measure a personality trait and gives it to the same group of participants twice, two weeks apart, finding that participants' scores are highly consistent between the two administrations. (a) Identify the specific type of reliability this procedure tests. (b) Explain the difference between reliability and validity, using this questionnaire as an example: what would need to be additionally shown to demonstrate the questionnaire is also valid, not just reliable?
[3 marks] · no calculator - 14.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A psychologist develops a new questionnaire to measure a personality trait and gives it to the same group of participants twice, two weeks apart, finding that participants' scores are highly consistent between the two administrations. (a) Identify the specific type of reliability this procedure tests. (b) Explain the difference between reliability and validity, using this questionnaire as an example: what would need to be additionally shown to demonstrate the questionnaire is also valid, not just reliable?” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies test-retest reliability.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 15.
A laboratory experiment demonstrates a genuine effect of sleep deprivation on reaction time under tightly controlled conditions, but critics argue the artificial laboratory task bears little resemblance to any real-world situation, raising doubts about whether the finding applies outside the lab. (a) Identify the type of validity being questioned by the critics. (b) Distinguish this from construct validity, which asks a different question about the same study.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 16.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A laboratory experiment demonstrates a genuine effect of sleep deprivation on reaction time under tightly controlled conditions, but critics argue the artificial laboratory task bears little resemblance to any real-world situation, raising doubts about whether the finding applies outside the lab. (a) Identify the type of validity being questioned by the critics. (b) Distinguish this from construct validity, which asks a different question about the same study.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies ecological validity (how well the findings generalise to real-world settings and behaviours).” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 17.
A researcher conducts in-depth interviews with 15 people about their experience of chronic illness, then reads through all the transcripts repeatedly, labelling recurring ideas (such as 'loss of independence' or 'renegotiating identity') and grouping related labels into broader patterns across participants. (a) Identify this qualitative data analysis method. (b) Explain the general purpose of this method, in terms of what it allows the researcher to produce from unstructured interview data.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 18.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A researcher conducts in-depth interviews with 15 people about their experience of chronic illness, then reads through all the transcripts repeatedly, labelling recurring ideas (such as 'loss of independence' or 'renegotiating identity') and grouping related labels into broader patterns across participants. (a) Identify this qualitative data analysis method. (b) Explain the general purpose of this method, in terms of what it allows the researcher to produce from unstructured interview data.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies thematic analysis.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 19.
After analysing interview data and identifying key themes, a qualitative researcher returns to the original participants and shows them a summary of her findings, asking whether the identified themes genuinely reflect their own experience. (a) Identify this technique for establishing the credibility of qualitative findings. (b) Explain why this technique is considered valuable specifically for qualitative (rather than quantitative) research.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 20.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “After analysing interview data and identifying key themes, a qualitative researcher returns to the original participants and shows them a summary of her findings, asking whether the identified themes genuinely reflect their own experience. (a) Identify this technique for establishing the credibility of qualitative findings. (b) Explain why this technique is considered valuable specifically for qualitative (rather than quantitative) research.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies member checking (respondent validation).” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 21.
A study on decision-making recruits only 12 highly educated volunteers from a single elite university, all from similar cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. (a) Explain why generalising this study's findings to 'people in general' would be problematic. (b) Suggest what the researcher would need to change about the sample to improve the population validity of the findings.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 22.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A study on decision-making recruits only 12 highly educated volunteers from a single elite university, all from similar cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. (a) Explain why generalising this study's findings to 'people in general' would be problematic. (b) Suggest what the researcher would need to change about the sample to improve the population validity of the findings.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that a small, highly homogeneous sample (similar education, culture, and socioeconomic status) may not be representative of the far more diverse general population, so the specific decision-making patterns found may reflect this particular group's characteristics rather than a universal human tendency.” Evaluate the response against the complete 2-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 23.
In one study, participants who guessed the true purpose of an experiment changed their natural behaviour to try to help confirm what they believed the researcher wanted to find. In a separate study, an observer who strongly expected to see aggressive behaviour in a group of boys reported more aggressive incidents than a second, independent observer watching the same boys. (a) Name the phenomenon illustrated by the first study. (b) Name the phenomenon illustrated by the second study. (c) State one way researchers commonly try to reduce the phenomenon described in (b).
[3 marks] · no calculator - 24.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “In one study, participants who guessed the true purpose of an experiment changed their natural behaviour to try to help confirm what they believed the researcher wanted to find. In a separate study, an observer who strongly expected to see aggressive behaviour in a group of boys reported more aggressive incidents than a second, independent observer watching the same boys. (a) Name the phenomenon illustrated by the first study. (b) Name the phenomenon illustrated by the second study. (c) State one way researchers commonly try to reduce the phenomenon described in (b).” Their response addresses only this point: “Names demand characteristics: participants' behaviour changing based on cues about the study's perceived purpose.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 25.
Before a study can be published in a reputable academic psychology journal, it is typically sent to other independent experts in the same field, who scrutinise the study's methodology, analysis, and conclusions before deciding if it is suitable for publication. (a) Name this quality-control process. (b) Explain its main purpose within the broader scientific process.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 26.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Before a study can be published in a reputable academic psychology journal, it is typically sent to other independent experts in the same field, who scrutinise the study's methodology, analysis, and conclusions before deciding if it is suitable for publication. (a) Name this quality-control process. (b) Explain its main purpose within the broader scientific process.” Their response addresses only this point: “Names peer review.” Evaluate the response against the complete 2-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 27.
Rather than relying on the results of just one study, a researcher statistically combines the results of 40 separate published studies that all investigated the same research question, to calculate a single, more precise overall estimate of the effect. (a) Name this research technique. (b) Explain one advantage of this technique over relying on any single study. (c) Explain one limitation of this technique, referring to the fact that studies finding a significant effect are more likely to be published than studies finding no effect.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 28.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Rather than relying on the results of just one study, a researcher statistically combines the results of 40 separate published studies that all investigated the same research question, to calculate a single, more precise overall estimate of the effect. (a) Name this research technique. (b) Explain one advantage of this technique over relying on any single study. (c) Explain one limitation of this technique, referring to the fact that studies finding a significant effect are more likely to be published than studies finding no effect.” Their response addresses only this point: “Names a meta-analysis.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 29.
A researcher proposes a study in which participants are secretly filmed in a public restroom to observe genuine, unselfconscious handwashing behaviour, without being told about the study beforehand or asked for consent, arguing that informing participants would make their behaviour artificial. (a) Identify two specific ethical principles this proposed study would violate. (b) Suggest one way the researcher could study genuine, unselfconscious behaviour of this kind while still meeting modern ethical standards.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 30.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A researcher proposes a study in which participants are secretly filmed in a public restroom to observe genuine, unselfconscious handwashing behaviour, without being told about the study beforehand or asked for consent, arguing that informing participants would make their behaviour artificial. (a) Identify two specific ethical principles this proposed study would violate. (b) Suggest one way the researcher could study genuine, unselfconscious behaviour of this kind while still meeting modern ethical standards.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies a lack of informed consent, since participants were not told about the study or asked to agree to take part.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator