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Class 11 Methods of Enquiry in Psychology: cheat sheet
CBSE Psychology. The goals and steps of research, kinds of data, observation, experiments and variables, correlation, surveys, tests, case studies, analysis and research ethics.
Key ideas
- Research has five goals: description, prediction, explanation, control and application.
- It runs in four steps: conceptualising a problem, collecting data, drawing conclusions and revising them.
- In an experiment the independent variable is changed by the researcher and the dependent variable is measured; extraneous variables are controlled.
- A control group is treated like the experimental group except that the independent variable is absent.
- Correlation shows how two variables go together without changing either; it does not prove cause.
- A good test is reliable (consistent), valid (measures what it claims) and has norms for comparing scores.
- Ethics require voluntary participation, informed consent, debriefing, sharing results and confidentiality.
Remember
| Correlation coefficient | from +1.0 (perfect positive) through 0 (none) to −1.0 (perfect negative) |
| Kinds of data | demographic, physical, physiological, psychological |
| Controlling variables | elimination, holding constant, matching, counterbalancing, random assignment |
| Observation | naturalistic or controlled; participant or non-participant |
| Speed vs power test | time limit, equal items vs no time limit, rising difficulty |
| Reliability types | test-retest (same test twice); split-half (odd vs even items) |
Watch out
- Swapping the variables: the cause that is varied is independent, the effect that is measured is dependent.
- Reading a strong correlation as proof that one variable causes the other.
- Confusing reliability (consistent scores) with validity (measuring the right thing).
- Forgetting that psychological scores have no true zero: no one has zero intelligence.
Worked example
Name the independent and dependent variables in the hypothesis “Feedback after each attempt reduces mistakes in learning a dance step”.
Working: the cause that is varied; the effect that is measured
Answer: Independent: feedback after each attempt; dependent: number of mistakes
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