Question 1: Define the term 'hypothesis' in the context of psychological research.

Answer: A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables in a study.

Question 2: Describe the purpose of conducting a pilot study before the main research.

Answer: A pilot study is a small-scale trial run of the research to identify any issues with the procedures, methods, or materials, allowing adjustments before the full study.

Question 3: Explain why random allocation is important in experimental research.

Answer: Random allocation helps ensure that participants are assigned to different groups by chance, reducing bias and increasing the likelihood that groups are equivalent at the start of the experiment.

Question 4: Identify and explain one advantage and one disadvantage of using a laboratory experiment.

Answer: Advantage: High control over variables, allowing for precise measurement of effects. Disadvantage: Artificial environment may reduce ecological validity, meaning findings may not generalize well to real-life situations.

Question 5: A researcher wants to investigate the effect of sleep deprivation on memory recall. Outline a suitable method they could use, including the type of data they might collect.

Answer: They could use an experimental method where participants are divided into sleep-deprived and well-rested groups, then tested on a memory recall task. Data collected might include the number of words remembered or correct answers on a memory test.

Question 6: Draw a basic flowchart illustrating the typical steps in conducting a psychological experiment.

Answer: A flowchart should include: Formulate hypothesis → Design experiment → Obtain ethical approval → Recruit participants → Conduct experiment → Collect data → Analyze data → Draw conclusions → Report findings.

Question 7: Explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative data, providing an example of each relevant to psychological research.

Answer: Quantitative data involves numerical measurements, such as test scores or reaction times. Qualitative data involves descriptive information, such as participant opinions or feelings obtained from interviews.

Question 8: What is meant by 'validity' in psychological research? Provide an example of a threat to validity.

Answer: 'Validity' refers to whether the research measures what it intends to measure. An example of a threat is participant bias, where participants may respond in a way they think the researcher expects, affecting the accuracy of the results.

Question 9: Describe how a double-blind procedure enhances the reliability of experimental findings.

Answer: A double-blind procedure ensures that neither the participants nor the researchers know who is in the experimental or control group, reducing bias and placebo effects, thus increasing reliability.

Question 10: Explain the importance of ethical considerations in psychological research and mention one key ethical guideline.

Answer: Ethical considerations protect participants from harm and ensure informed consent. A key guideline is that participants must be fully informed about the nature of the research and agree to take part voluntarily.