AQA A Level

Psychology
Design a study solutions
Research Methods

Joseph Sparks & Anne Cooper

Page 2 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
EXPERIMENT: EXERCISE AND HAPPINESS 
 
Design an experiment to investigate whether exercise could increase feelings of happiness. For your  
measure of happiness, you should devise a measure that would provide data suitable for testing at an 
ordinal level of measurement. 
 
In your answer, you should provide details of:  
 Design – include reference to experimental design, variables and controls 
 Materials/Apparatus – describe any special materials required 
 Data analysis that could be used – include reference to both descriptive and inferential analysis 
 
Justify your choices.  
[12 marks] 
 
Design – Experimental design
For this experiment, an independent groups design will be used. An The experimental
independent groups design will be appropriate in order to reduce design has been
order effects, in particular practice effects which could lead to outlined and
demand characteristics, where the participants work out the aim of justified
experiment: the effect of exercise on happiness. appropriately.

Design – Variables
The independent variable is exercise (30 minutes exercise vs. no
exercise) and the dependent variable is the change in happiness,
measured via a questionnaire which will require participants to rate
their happiness on a scale of 1‐10 (with 1 being very unhappy and 10
being very happy) at the start and end of their condition. A change in The IV and DV have
happiness score will be calculated (ranging from ‐9 to +9), providing been clearly stated
ordinal data. and justified.

Design – Controls
In order to control individual differences (e.g. existing levels of
happiness) all participants will complete the questionnaire at the
start and end of their condition. In condition one, participants will
complete the questionnaire and be asked to wait in a waiting room
for 30 minutes before completing it again. In condition two,
participants will complete the questionnaire and then be asked to
engage in 30 minutes of light exercise on a treadmill (walking or a Three different
slow jog), before completing the questionnaire again. All participants aspects of control
will complete the questionnaire in the waiting room to ensure that have been presented
the room has no effect on their scores. To ensure time of day has no and outlined clearly
effect on scores, all participants will take part in the experiment in in relation to this
the morning (9 am to11 am). experiment.

Materials/Apparatus
A questionnaire assessing happiness will be created, containing
questions to obtain demographic information (age, gender,
occupation, etc.) and the key question: how you would rate your An appropriate
current level of happiness on a scale of 1‐10, with 1=very unhappy questionnaire has

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 3
and 10=very happy. A treadmill (in the PE department) will also be been created to
used in which the participants in condition two will be encouraged to generate the
set a brisk walking pace or slow jog. A waiting area (next to the PE required ordinal
department) will be used for participants in condition one and for all data. Other
participants to complete their questionnaire at the start and end of apparatus has also
their condition. been outlined.

Data analysis
The data gathered will include a score for each of the participants
ranging from ‐9 to +9 to indicate their change in happiness. For
example:
Condition 1 Condition 2 While a table isn’t
(No exercise) – Change (Exercise) – Change in necessary, it
in happiness score happiness score demonstrates clear
1 0 11 4 understanding of
2 0 12 5 how the data will be
3 ‐1 13 3 gathered and
4 1 14 6 informs the analysis
5 2 15 5 below.
6 ‐2 16 0
7 1 17 0
8 0 18 5 While the answer
9 1 19 6 has stated the
10 ‐1 20 3 median and range
Descriptive statistics could include the median (the middle value in (which are correct),
each condition) and range (calculated by subtracting the lowest value these could have
from the highest). been justified in light
of the level of
In terms of inferential analysis, a Mann Whitney U test will be measurement. The
appropriate as this is a test of difference between conditions, the data inferential tests have
is at least an ordinal level of measurement and an independent been appropriately
groups design is used. selected.

[Approx. 500 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All the elements of the experiment has been presented and the suggestions are very well
detailed, practical and appropriate for this experiment. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge and understanding of experimental design and data analysis and there is sufficient
material for the study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 4 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
EXPERIMENT: MUSIC AND TASK PERFORMANCE 
 
Design an experiment using a repeated measures design that can be carried out in a classroom. 
The aim is to investigate whether listening to music affects task performance (e.g. while 
completing a word search or a spot the differences puzzle).  
 
In your answer, you should provide details of:  
 The operationalised IV, DV and controls 
 The sample and the sampling technique  
 The procedure that could be used – there should be enough detail for the study to be carried out 
 
[12 marks] 
 
Operationalised IV and DV
The independent variable is whether the participant listened to music The IV and DV
(classical music with no lyrics) or not (silent condition) while completing have been clearly
a word search. The dependent variable is the time taken (in seconds) to stated and
find five words in a word search puzzle. operationalised.

Controls
In order to control order effects (e.g. practice effects, which might make
the participants complete the second word search faster)
counterbalancing will be used: half of the participants will complete the
first puzzle listening to music and the second puzzle in silence, and the
other half will complete the first puzzle in silence and the second puzzle Four different
listening to music. This will be done using random allocation, meaning aspects of control
that any order effects will be balanced across both conditions. have been
Participants will complete both parts of the task wearing noise cancelling outlined clearly
headphones to ensure that they are in complete silence for the silent and explained in
condition, and to ensure that wearing headphones is not a confounding relation to this
variable. The same piece of classical music will be used for all experiment. The
participants as different pieces of music may affect levels of most important
concentration. Two different word search puzzles with equal difficultly control is the
will be used. In order to select the two word search puzzles a range of counterbalancing
puzzles will be completed by another group of people. The average time as this is a
taken to complete the puzzles will be calculated and the two puzzles with repeated
the most similar times will be selected. measures design.

Sample and sampling technique
A sample of 20 sixth form students will be used for this experiment. They An appropriate
will be selected using a volunteer sampling method. A notice will be sample and
placed on the student notice board in a sixth form college asking for sampling
volunteers to take part in a psychology experiment to investigate factors technique has
that influence concentration. The first 20 participants to respond to the been selected and
e‐mail address provided will become the sample. justified.



Procedure

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 5
Participants will be invited to a classroom at an allotted time between 9 Although the
am and 11 am. Materials used will be two word search puzzles, a pen, an time of day and
iPod containing the classical music, and a set of headphones. They will be the materials are
shown into the classroom, seated at a desk and given standardised not asked for
instructions to read and a consent form to sign. The instructions will specifically, they
outline what will happen during the study: they will be completing two are important
word search puzzles, either while listening music or in silence. When details someone
they have completed each puzzle, they should put down their pen to would need to
indicate that they have finished. They will then be asked to put on the know to
headphones and adjust to a comfortable volume to suit their hearing. implement the
study; they also
If they are completing the music condition first, then the first puzzle will help to clarify the
be given to them and the experimenter will switch on the music and procedure.
begin timing using a stopwatch. When they put down their pen on the The procedure is
table, the experimenter will stop timing and switch the music off. They clearly explained
will then be given the second puzzle (to be completed in silence) and the in terms of what
experimenter will begin timing them. When they put their pen on the each participant
desk the experimenter will stop timing and they will be thanked and is required to do.
debriefed. If they are completing the silent condition first then the tasks
will be the other way around.

[Approx. 500 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All the elements of the experiment has been presented and the suggestions are very well
detailed, practical and appropriate for this experiment. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge and understanding of experimental design and there is sufficient material for the
study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 6 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
EXPERIMENT: WRITTEN AND SPOKEN INFORMATION 
 
Design an experiment to test whether people who are given written information remember more than 
people who hear information in a spoken form. 
 
You must refer to/provide details of:  
 Design – include reference to experimental design, variables and controls 
 The sample and sampling technique 
 Materials/Apparatus – describe any special materials required 
 An outline of the proposed procedure 
 [12 marks] 
 
Design – Experimental design
An independent groups design will be used. This will be appropriate The experimental
in order to reduce order effects, in particular practice effects which design has been
will occur if people were given the same information twice – once in outlined and justified
written form and again in spoken form. appropriately.

Design – Variables
The independent variable is whether the information (a short story)
is read out to the participants, or they read it for themselves. The The IV and DV have
dependent variable is the score out of 10 on a test of 10 questions in been clearly
relation to the story. operationalised.

Design – Controls
All the participants will be provided with the same story. The group Three different
hearing the story out loud will hear the same recording of someone aspects of control
reading the story. The participants reading the story for themselves have been presented
will be provided with the story in the same font and size on white and outlined clearly
paper. All the participants will be given the same length of time to in relation to this
read the story, which will be determined by the length of the experiment.
recording for the other condition (5 minutes). This is important as if
the reading group have more time to process the information this
could lead to an improvement in memory. Both groups will also be
given the same amount of time (3 minutes) to answer the questions.
Participants will be randomly allocated to the two conditions to try to
ensure that any individual differences are balanced across the two
conditions.

The sample and sampling technique
40 college students aged 16‐18 will be used, 20 in each condition. This is an
They will be selected using an opportunity sampling method by being appropriate sample
approached while in the college canteen and asked whether they will and sampling
be willing to take part. technique.

Materials/Apparatus
A novel short story (500 words) will be used. This will either be The materials
printed on paper or recorded on an iPod. A stopwatch will be used to required are
time the group reading for themselves. A memory test made up of 10 explained clearly.

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 7
questions about the story will also be required. Standardised
instructions will be produced to explain to the participants what they
need to do.

Outline of possible procedure
The written information group will all be tested together. They will
be seated in a classroom with two sheets of paper face down on the
desk. Standardised instructions will be read out and they will be
instructed to turn over the first sheet of paper and read the story The procedure for
while being timed for 5 minutes. They will then be told to put that both conditions is
sheet back on the desk face down and turn the second sheet over and very clear and would
answer the 10 questions. They will be allowed 3 minutes to do this allow the study to be
before being thanked and debriefed. implemented.

The spoken information group will all be tested together. They will be
seated in the same classroom with two sheets of paper face down on
the desk. Standardised instructions will be read out and they will be
instructed to turn over the first sheet of paper and the recording will
begin. When the recording finishes, they will be told to put that sheet
back on the desk face down and turn the second sheet over and
answer the 10 questions. They will be allowed 3 minutes to do this
before being thanked and debriefed.

[Approx. 500 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All the elements of the experiment have been presented and the suggestions are very well
detailed, practical and appropriate for this experiment. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge and understanding of experimental design and there is sufficient material for the
study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 8 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
QUASI‐EXPERIMENT: MUSICAL ABILITY 
 
Design a quasi‐experiment to investigate whether there is a difference in the musical ability of left‐
handed students and right‐handed students in a sixth form college. 
 
You must provide details of: 
 The experimental design 
 An appropriate sampling method and justification 
 The procedure that could be used, including details of how musical ability would be assessed 
 A suitable debrief for the participants 
 [12 marks] 
 
Experimental design
To control individual differences in this quasi‐experiment, a matched The experimental
pairs design would be used because repeated measures is not design has been
appropriate, as the participants can only be right‐ or left‐handed. The outlined and
participants could be matched in terms of gender and subjects explained.
studied. Once a left‐handed participant has volunteered then a right‐ Independent groups
handed person of the same gender and who takes the same subjects would also be
could become their matched‐pair. appropriate but
would not control
Sampling method individual
Volunteer sampling would be used. Posters would be placed in the differences.
student social areas of a sixth form college asking for volunteers to
contact the researcher by e‐mail if they were interested in taking part
in a study to investigate differences between right‐handed and left‐ An appropriate
handed people. This would be an appropriate method as it might be sampling method is
difficult to find a sufficient number of left‐handed participants using clearly explained
random or opportunity sampling methods. and justified.

Procedure
The participants would be individually invited to a classroom in the The procedure is
college at an allotted time. This would always be the same classroom explained clearly
and would be in a quiet area of the college so there would be no and in sufficient
outside noise or other distractions. They would be asked to confirm detail for the study
whether they are right‐ or left‐handed and it would be explained that to be implemented.
one of the abilities being examined is musical ability and they would An appropriate
be required to sing. If they are happy with this, the same novel piece method to assess
of music (one composed by the music teacher) would be played on a musical ability has
piano and sung by the music teacher and each participant would have been described that
to sing it back while the teacher played the tune on the piano. Their is the same for all
musical ability would then be rated on a scale of 1–10 by the music students and also
teacher (where 1 is extremely poor and 10 is extremely good). The explains how it will
participants would then by thanked and debriefed. be measured.

A suitable debrief
Thank you for taking part in this study. The specific aim of the
research is to investigate whether there is a difference in the musical This debrief is
ability of left‐handed students and right‐handed students and this is written exactly as it

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 9
the only ability we will be testing today. This information could not would be read to the
be given at the beginning of the study as it may have affected your participants and
behaviour. Please be assured that your data will be completely deals with the
confidential and not shared with anyone other than the research ethical issues of
team. If you are unhappy with any aspects of the study, then you have informed consent
the right to withdraw at this point and your results will be destroyed. and protection from
Do you have any questions you would like to ask? harm.

[Approx. 450 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All the elements of the experiment have been presented and the suggestions are very well
detailed, practical and appropriate for this experiment. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge and understanding of experimental design and there is sufficient material for the
study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 10 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
QUASI‐EXPERIMENT: GENDER DIFFERENCES AND ATTENTION 
 
Imagine that you have been asked to design a quasi‐experiment to investigate whether there are gender 
differences in focussed attention. You decide to ask participants to find a specific letter (e.g. ‘b’) in an 
array of different letters, as in this example, where the task is to find the ‘b’ in an array of ‘d’s. 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  b  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
 
You decide to time the participants as they complete this task using a stop watch. Discuss the 
following aspects of this investigation: 
 With reference to the letter finding task, how you would ensure that the task is the same for all 
of the participants 
 One methodological issue that needs to be taken into account when you obtain suitable 
participants for this study and explain how you would deal with this issue 
 What you would do to ensure that your participants are treated ethically 
 How you would use inferential statistics to analyse the results of this investigation 
 [12 marks] 
 
Please note: This answer has been written in the first person as that question states: ‘how you would…’ 
and therefore first person is highly appropriate for this question.  
 
How would you ensure that the letter finding task is the same for Three different ways
all of the participants? of ensuring that the
All of the participants would need to be given the same grid of letters, letter finding task is
as a different grid could increase/decrease the difficulty. I would read the same have been
a set of standardised instructions to each participant so that every identified (same
participant understood the task. I would also give them a trial grid grids, standardised
first to ensure that all the participants understood the task before instructions and
they completed the experimental trial, as any uncertainty in the task time of day). These
might affect their ability to find the letter. I would also test all the have also been
participants at the same time of day (between 9 am and 11 am) as the explained in terms of
letter finding task requires concentration and this might differ at why it is important
different times of the day. to keep them the
same.
One methodological issue that needs to be taken into account
when you obtain suitable participants for this study and explain
how you would deal with this issue.
If someone had a job that involves reading through text to pick out
errors (e.g. proofreading), or spends a lot of time completing similar One methodological
puzzles, this could become a confounding variable as their time issue has been
would be quicker regardless of gender. The only way to deal with this correctly identified
is to screen the participants before they take part by asking whether and a practical
they spend a lot of time picking out errors in text (either because of explanation offered

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 11
their job or as a hobby). Only people who answered no to the for how this would
question would be allowed to participate. be dealt with.

What would you do to ensure that your participants are treated
ethically?
When I recruit the participants, I would gain informed consent and
ask them to sign a consent form. I would explain that the study is
investigating whether there are gender differences in focussed
attention and that they would be required to look for the ‘odd one
out’ in an array of letters. There would be no deception or This answer shows
withholding of information as I don’t think it would affect the validity consideration of the
of the findings to give this information at the beginning of the study. I three main ethical
would also explain that they have the right to withdraw during the issues (informed
study if they are unhappy with the experiment and that all their consent, deception
details would be kept confidential. Once they have taken part in the and protection from
study I would thank the participants and debrief them by explaining harm) and explains
the purpose of the research again and asking whether they were still exactly how these
happy for me to use their results. I would also offer them the will be dealt with.
opportunity to ask any questions.

How you would use inferential statistics to analyse the results of The inferential tests
this investigation? have been
As data collected in this study is interval (ratio) level (time taken to appropriately
find the letter), providing the data is drawn from a population with a selected and
normal distribution and the variance of the samples for males and explained in relation
females are not significantly different, I would use the unrelated t‐ to this study.
test. This is because the data is ratio, the study is looking for a Explaining about the
difference between the times taken by males and females, and uses an two types of test
independent groups design (males in one group, females in the shows increased
other). However, if the findings did not meet the requirements for a knowledge and
parametric test then I would use a Mann Whitney U test. understanding.

[Approx. 500 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

Suggestions are well detailed and practical, showing sound understanding of the design of an
experiment. All four elements are present. There is sufficient information for most aspects of
the study to be implemented successfully. The answer is clear and coherent and specialist
terminology is used effectively.
 
   

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Page 12 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
OBSERVATION: MOBILE PHONE USE IN PUBLIC 
 
Design a naturalistic observation study to investigate mobile phone use in a public place.  
 
In your answer, you should provide details of: 
 Where and when you will conduct the observation and how you will sample behaviour 
 Which behavioural categories you will use and how you will record the data 
 Graphical representation of the data 
 How you will deal with ethical issues 
 [12 marks] 
 
Please note: This answer has been written in the first person as that question states: ‘how you will…’ and 
therefore first person is highly appropriate for this question. 
 
Where and when you will conduct the observation and how you
will sample behaviour It is very clear
This will be a covert, non‐participant observation. The observations exactly where and
will be carried out at Euston Station between the hours of 8 am and when the
10 am on a Monday. I will sit on a bench and observe the mobile observations will be
phone use of people who pass directly in front of me. Event sampling conducted and that
will be used where all instances of mobile phone behaviour are event sampling will
recorded (see below). be used.

Which behavioural categories you will use and how you will
record the data
The behavioural categories I will use include: making a phone call; Three behavioural
interacting with the phone but not making a call (e.g. text, using social categories that are
media, etc.); and holding phone without interaction. I will collect this relevant and specific
data using a tally sheet, as shown below. The total number of each to this study have
behaviour could then be totalled and used to produce a graph. been identified. It is
useful to include the
Behaviour Tally Total tally sheet to make it
Making call clear how the data
Interacting with will be recorded.
phone but not
making call
Holding phone
but no interaction

Graphical representation of the data
As this is nominal data (counting the number of instances of each
behaviour using three categories) an appropriate graph is a bar chart
as shown below:

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 13
The inclusion of a
Bar chart to show the use of mobile phones in a
bar chart
public place
demonstrates
90 exactly how the data
80 would be
Frequency (no. of people)

70 represented.
60
50
40 85
30
20
50
35
10

0

Making call Interacting with phone Holding a phone with
but not making a call no interaction This bar chart has a
Type of phone use title and is clearly
labelled.

Ethical issues to be considered
As the study is a covert observation in a busy station it will not be
possible to gain informed consent from the participants and offer
them the right to withdraw before taking part in the study. However, This answer shows
as the observation is taking place in a public place it does comply consideration of the
with ethical guidelines if privacy is not invaded, for example, listening main ethical issues
into phone calls. While it would be too difficult to offer a debrief to all involved in covert
the participants, I will put up posters in the station following the observations and
observation explaining what the research entails and including my e‐ offers an explanation
mail address so that people can contact me if they would like further for how they will be
information. dealt with.

[Approx. 350 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All the elements of the observation have been presented and the suggestions are very well
detailed, practical and appropriate for this observation study. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge and understanding of these key features of an observation study and there is
sufficient material for the study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 14 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
OBSERVATION: DIFFERENCES IN NON‐VERBAL BEHAVIOUR 
 
Design a controlled observation to investigate differences in non‐verbal behaviour (e.g. body 
language and gestures) of experts and non‐experts who are required to give a presentation to an 
audience. 
 
In your answer you should provide details of: 
 The task for the participants and how you will decide who is an expert and who is not an 
expert 
 Which behavioural categories you will use and how will you record the data 
 How the reliability of data might be established 
 Ethical issues to be considered 
[12 marks] 
 
Please note: This answer has been written in the first person as that question states: ‘how you will 
decide…’ and therefore first person is highly appropriate for this question. 
 
The task for the participants and how you will decide who is an
expert and who is not an expert
For the task, I will ask participants to present a five‐minute The task is clearly
presentation on ‘Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment’ using PowerPoint explained and the
slides that are already prepared. The experts will be psychology answer provides
students from a sixth form college who have been taught Bowlby’s clear details on how
Theory. The non‐experts will be non‐psychology students from the to determine
same sixth form college. All the participants will be given 15 minutes ‘experts’ and ‘non‐
to familiarise themselves with the slides. The audience will consist of experts’. Additional
two observers who are not known to any of the participants and the details are also
location will be a classroom in the college that none of the included that explain
participants are familiar with. the design.

Which behavioural categories you will use and how will you
record the data
The behavioural categories I will use are hesitation (e.g. saying ‘um’ Four behavioural
or ‘ah’, or stopping altogether), smiling, frowning and arm categories that are
movements. These are all behaviours that might be shown by relevant and specific
someone who is presenting. I will collect this data using a tally sheet, to this study have
as shown below. The number of occurrences of each behaviour could been identified and
then be totalled. justified.

Behaviour Tally Total Including the tally
Hesitation sheet makes it clear
Smiling how the data will be
Frowning recorded.
Arm movements

How the reliability of the data might be established
I will establish the reliability of the data by using two observers, to
check for inter‐observer reliability. I will operationalise the
behavioural categories clearly and train the observers in how to use

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 15
the tally sheet to record behaviour. Then I will get them both to This is a clear and
observe someone giving the presentation and use a correlation test to detailed explanation
determine how similar their scores were for each behaviour. If I for how to establish
found a correlation coefficient of .80 or more then I will know that reliability in this
there was a high level of reliability. study.

Ethical issues to be considered
As the study is conducted in a sixth form college the students will be
old enough to give informed consent. They could be recruited using
an opportunity sampling method and asked for their consent to take
part in a study looking at non‐verbal behaviour while giving a short
presentation. However, full information regarding differences
between experts and non‐experts could not be given in advance of the
presentation, as it could lead to demand characteristics.

Participants will be offered the right to withdraw at any point during
the study and it will be explained that the data will be kept This answer shows
confidential. If anyone becomes anxious or upset while giving the consideration of the
presentation the observers will stop the presentation and provide three main ethical
them with the right to withdraw. When the presentation ends, each issues (informed
participant will be debriefed. The full purpose of the study consent, deception
(comparing the body language of experts and non‐experts) will be and protection from
explained. If the participants are not happy with the deception they harm) and explains
will be allowed to withdraw their data. I will also offer the exactly how these
opportunity for participants to ask any questions. will be dealt with.

[Approx. 500 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All the elements of the observation have been presented and the suggestions are very well
detailed, practical and appropriate for this observation study. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge and understanding of these key features of an observation study and there is
sufficient material for the study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 16 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
OBSERVATION: HEALTHY BREAKFAST 
 
An experienced primary school teacher believes that children who eat ‘a healthy breakfast’ learn to read 
more quickly and are better behaved than children who eat an unhealthy breakfast. Imagine that you 
have been asked to design an observational study to see whether eating a healthy breakfast affects 
behaviour in the playground. 
 
Include in your answer sufficient detail to allow reasonable replication of the study. You must provide 
details of: 
 The directional hypothesis that you intend to test and how you will operationalise the 
Independent Variable (IV) 
 Which behavioural categories you will use and how you will record the data 
 How you will increase the validity of your observations 
 How you will deal with ethical issues 
 [12 marks] 
 
The directional hypothesis The hypothesis is
Children who do not eat a healthy breakfast will carry out more directional and
aggressive behaviours (e.g. hitting, kicking and pushing) in the school includes both
playground during morning break than children who eat a healthy conditions of the IV
breakfast. and the DV (number
of aggressive acts).
Operationalisation of the IV The IV has been
I will operationalise the IV by defining what constitutes an unhealthy operationalised in
breakfast and a healthy breakfast. For an unhealthy breakfast this terms of what is
could include: sugary cereals, white toast or a fried breakfast; and for meant by a healthy
a healthy breakfast this could include: oats, fruit, yogurt, etc. breakfast.

Which behavioural categories you will use and how will you
record the data
As the DV is the number of aggressive behaviours shown, the Three behavioural
behavioural categories I will use are hitting, kicking and pushing. categories that are
These are all examples of physical aggression. I will collect this data relevant and specific
using a tally sheet, as shown below. The number of each behaviour to this study have
could then be totalled. In order to conduct the observations, it will be been identified and
necessary to know which child has eaten which type of breakfast so justified. Including
that they can be asked when they come into school in the morning the tally sheet makes
and then they can be given a different colour sports vest to wear at it clear how the data
break – red for a healthy breakfast and green for a non‐healthy will be recorded. It is
breakfast. also made clear how
the observer will
Behaviour Tally red Tally green know who is in
Hitting which category.
Kicking
Pushing

How you will increase the validity of your observation Two potential
I will ensure that the observer can clearly identify who is in each threats to the
group (see above), to ensure that they are observing and tallying the validity of this

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 17
behaviour for each group correctly. In addition, if the observer knows observational study
what the difference between the two groups was this might lead to have been identified
observer bias as they could perceive the behaviours shown by the and appropriate
non‐healthy breakfast group as being more aggressive. Therefore, I suggestions to deal
will increase the validity by using a double‐blind control where with these issues
neither the children nor the observer know the aim of the study. have been presented.

Ethical issues to be considered
As the study involves observing children, parental consent needs to
be obtained. The school could write to the parents of one of the
classes in the primary school and ask for their consent to carry out a
study into the effects of healthy eating which will involve their child
being asked some questions about the foods they eat and being
observed for a short time while playing in the playground. If a parent
refused then their child will not be included in the study.
This answer shows
To prevent the children becoming upset by a stranger watching them consideration of the
in the playground, one of the other teachers in the school who is not two main ethical
aware of the aims of the study could be trained to do the issues in this study
observations. (informed consent,
and protection from
None of the children should be identified by name in the report of the harm) and explains
investigation and neither should the school. This is to ensure exactly how these
confidentiality and anonymity. will be dealt with.

[Approx. 450 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All of the elements of the observation have been presented and the suggestions are very well
detailed, practical and appropriate for this observation study. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge and understanding of these key features of an observation study and there is
sufficient material for the study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 18 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
CORRELATION: CAKE CONSUMPTION AND HAPPINESS 
 
Design a study to investigate whether there is a correlation between cake consumption and levels of 
happiness in students. 
 
You must refer to: 
 Your target population, sample and sampling technique 
 How you would operationalise the co‐variables 
 The control of at least one extraneous variable  
 How you would present the data in a graph 
 [12 marks] 
 
Please note: This answer has been written in the first person as that question states: ‘how you would…’ 
and therefore first person is highly appropriate for this question. 
 
Target population, sample and sampling technique
The target population for this study is A‐level students aged 16–18.
The sample size would be 20, and they would be obtained through a
volunteer sampling method to fulfil a quota of 10 males and 10
females and to ensure a range of different subjects are being taken. I The target
would place a poster in the common room of my sixth form college population, sample
asking for people to e‐mail me if they would like to take part in a and an appropriate
study investigating the relationships between food and mood. I would sampling technique
also ask for people to tell me what A‐level subjects they are currently have been identified
studying. and explained.

I would then send a link to my questionnaire to 10 males and 10
females, ensuring that they take a range of subjects.

Operationalisation of the co‐variables
The two co‐variables are happiness and cake consumption. I would
send each participant a link to a questionnaire including questions
about their mood and how often they eat certain types of food. Only
the two questions on happiness and cake consumption would be
analysed. Happiness would be operationalised by asking the
participants to rate how happy they feel on a scale of 1–10, where 10
is extremely happy and 1 is extremely unhappy. Cake consumption
would be operationalised by asking the participants to state how Both co‐variables
many individual cakes or portions of cake they have eaten in the last have been clearly
week. operationalised.

Control of at least one extraneous variables
Having additional distractor questions in the questionnaire should
prevent participants from guessing the purpose of the research and Three different
therefore reduce demand characteristics. I would ensure that the aspects of control
students take a range of subjects and do not all take the same A‐level have been presented
subject (e.g. psychology), as the subjects taken may influence the and outlined clearly
happiness rating. I would also ensure that 10 participants are male in relation to this
and 10 are female as gender may have an influence on happiness correlation study.

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 19
and/or cake consumption. Once they have completed the
questionnaire I would send all the participants an e‐mail thanking
them for taking part and explaining the true aim of the study. I would
also explain that their data would be confidential and that they have
the right to withdraw their data until publication.

How you would present the data on a graph
Once I have received all the responses, I would make a table of
results, as shown below:

Participant Happiness rating No. of individual cakes portions While it is not
no. (out of 10) of cake eaten in the past week necessary to produce
1 a whole table of
2 results, this helps to
3 show how the results
etc. would be recorded in
order for the graph
I would then plot the sets of scores for the two co‐variables on a to be plotted.
Scattergram, as shown below, and look to see if the graph shows a
linear relationship (positive or negative correlation).


Scattergram to show the relationship between

happiness rating and the number of individual

cakes or portions of cake eaten in the past week

16
Number of portions of cake eaten

14
12
10
8
6 This is the correct
4
type of graph and
2
sketching an
example shows
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 understanding of
Happiness rating (out of 10) what a scattergram
should look like.

[Approx. 420 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All the elements of the correlation study have been presented and the suggestions are very well
detailed, practical and appropriate for this investigation. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge of correlation design and graphical representation of the data and there is
sufficient material for the study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 20 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
CORRELATIONAL STUDY: COFFEE CONSUMPTION AND MEMORY 
 
Imagine that you have been asked to design a correlation study to see if there is a relationship between 
the number of cups of coffee students drink and their performance on a memory test. Discuss the 
following aspects of this investigation: 
 How you would test memory and how would you ensure this was the same for all participants 
 How you would operationalise the second co‐variable and control at least one other extraneous 
variable (i.e. one not related to the test of memory) 
 How you would deal with ethical issues 
 How you would use inferential statistics to analyse the results of this investigation 
 [12 marks] 
 
Please note: This answer has been written in the first person as that question states: ‘how you would…’ 
and therefore first person is highly appropriate for this question. 
 
How you would test memory and how would you ensure this was
the same for all participants
I would give all the participants 20 words to learn. These would be The method of
presented on a computer screen at a rate of one word every second. testing memory has
The participants would then be given five mental arithmetic been clearly
problems to solve (also using the computer). Once they complete this, explained and there
I would give each participant three minutes to recall as many of the is also a very clear
20 words as they can, in any order. All of the participants would be explanation of how
given the same words, the same standardised instructions and the this would be done in
same distractor task, to ensure that none of these variables could the same way for all
affect performance. participants.

How you would operationalise the second co‐variable and
control at least one other extraneous variable
I would ask each participant how many cups of coffee containing ‘Cups of coffee’ has
caffeine they had drunk in the last 24 hours. I would also make sure been operationalised
that they did not count cups of decaffeinated coffee as this might not and two appropriate
have the same effect on memory. I would also need to ensure that extraneous variables
participants had not taken caffeine in any other form during the last have been identified
24 hours (e.g. energy drinks or painkillers containing caffeine, etc.). and explained.

How you would deal with ethical issues
My participants would be 16–18‐year‐old students in a sixth form The two key ethical
college and therefore they would be able to provide informed issues of informed
consent. I would use an opportunity sample, and when I approached consent and
potential participants I would explain that the study is examining the protection from
relationship between memory and caffeine consumption, which harm and ways to
would involve learning a list of words. Providing the participants with deal with them have
this information would allow them to provide fully informed consent. been discussed very
I would also explain that their data would remain confidential and clearly.
that they would have the right to withdraw at any time. Once I have
collected the information on the number of cups of coffee they had
drunk, and the participants had completed the memory test, I would
thank them and debrief them by explaining the aims of the research

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 21
in more detail. If they were unhappy with anything about the study I
would allow them to withdraw their data. I would also ask if they had
any questions.

How you would use inferential statistics to analyse the results of The inferential test
this investigation has been
I would use a Spearman’s Rho to analyse the results because the data appropriately
is at least ordinal and the study is looking for a correlation between selected and
memory and the number of cups of coffee drunk. The Pearson’s R test explained in relation
is also a correlation test but is not appropriate for this investigation to this study.
as the sample is students who do not come from a population with a Explaining about the
normal distribution and the memory scores are ordinal rather than two types of test
interval data as not all of the words on the list would be of equal shows increased
difficulty. The test would provide the correlation coefficient which knowledge and
would tell us the strength and the direction of the relationship. understanding.

[Approx. 420 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

Suggestions are well detailed and practical, showing sound understanding of design of
correlation study. All four elements are present. There is sufficient information for most aspects
of the study to be implemented with success. The answer is clear and coherent and specialist
terminology is used effectively.
 
   

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Page 22 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
SELF‐REPORT: MEMORY IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES AND REVISION 
 
Explain how you would carry out a self‐report study using a questionnaire to investigate the 
effectiveness of memory improvement techniques used by students while revising. 
 
You must refer to/provide details of: 
 Your target population, sample and sampling technique 
 Open and closed questions 
 How you would assess the reliability of the questionnaire 
 The use of a pilot study 
 [12 marks] 
 
Please note: This answer has been written in the first person as that question states: ‘how you would…’ 
and therefore first person is highly appropriate for this question. 
 
The target population, sample and sampling technique
The target population for this study is A‐level students who are 16– The target
18 years old. As this study is utilising a questionnaire, I can use a population, sample
large sample of 100 students who would be obtained through an and sampling
opportunity sampling method. I would go into the college social areas technique have been
and library to hand out the questionnaires and wait nearby while the outlined and
students complete them. This should help to ensure a high response explained
rate. appropriately.

Open and closed questions
As this study is using a self‐completion questionnaire, I need to
ensure that the questionnaire is quick and easy to fill in, so that the
respondents do not get bored and fail to complete it. Therefore, I A clear
would mostly use closed questions which could include rating and understanding of the
Likert scales. For example, I would include a list of different types of difference between
memory improvement techniques students might use when revising open and closed
(e.g. use of mind maps, mnemonics, etc.) and ask the students to questions is show.
indicate how effective they find each technique on a scale of 1–5, The answer has
where 5 is very effective and 1 is very ineffective. I would also use clearly explained,
closed questions to collect demographic data such as age, gender and using examples, how
subjects studied. In addition, I would also include a small number of both would be
open questions to collect some qualitative data. For example, I would appropriate in this
ask ‘Which technique do you find most effective and why?’ study.

How you would assess the reliability of the questionnaire
I would use the test‐retest method to assess the reliability of the
questionnaire. This would involve giving the questionnaire to a small
number of students on two occasions with a time in between (e.g. one
week). I could then check that their responses where the same (or This is an
very similar) on both occasions to ensure the questionnaire is appropriate way to
reliable. If it isn’t then I would need to modify the questionnaire and assess the reliability
assess the reliability again. of a questionnaire.

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 23
Use of a pilot study
I would use a pilot study by giving the first version of my
questionnaire to a small sample of five students from the target
population to make sure that they understand the questions. I can
also check that I am gaining the information that I require for this
study. Once the students have completed the questionnaire, I would
ask them questions regarding how easy or difficult they found it to fill
in, or whether there were any specific questions they found difficult. This student clearly
Based on the student’s responses I would make any necessary understands what a
modifications to the questionnaire then assess the reliability using pilot study is and
the test‐retest method outlined above before conducting the main how it could be used
study. in this investigation.

[Approx. 400 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

Suggestions are well detailed and practical, showing sound understanding of the design of a
self‐report study using a questionnaire. All four elements are present. There is sufficient
information for most aspects of the study to be implemented with success. The answer is clear
and coherent and specialist terminology is used effectively.
 
   

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Page 24 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
SELF‐REPORT: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ANOREXIA TREATMENT 

Imagine that you are a psychologist who wanted to find out why females respond better than males to a 
new treatment for anorexia. Explain how you would carry out a self‐report investigation using an 
interview. 
 
You must refer to/provide details of: 
 The sample and the sampling technique 
 How you would reduce investigator effects such as interviewer bias 
 Examples of questions that would collect qualitative data and how this data would be analysed. 
 How you would deal with ethical issues 
 [12 marks] 
 
Please note: This answer has been written in the first person as that question states: ‘how you would…’ 
and therefore first person is highly appropriate for this question. 
 
Sample and sampling technique
A sample of five males and five females will be recruited as this study
will collect in‐depth data using semi‐structured interviews. An The sample and
opportunity sampling method will be used, as the interviews will sampling technique
involve people who have been taking part in a new treatment for have been outlined
anorexia. I will ask the doctors conducting the treatment to approach and explained
their patients and ask if they are willing to take part. appropriately.

Reducing investigator effects such as interviewer bias
As the interviews will be semi‐structured, a series of standardised
questions will be included that all of the participants are asked in the
same way. I will ensure that the interviewer avoids using any leading
questions which could bias the participants’ answers. The study will Three different ways
use a double‐blind procedure, as I will not conduct the interviews of reducing
myself so that neither the participant nor the interviewer is aware of interviewer effects
the aim of the research: to see why females respond better to the are outlined and
treatment than males. explained.

Examples of questions that would collect qualitative data and
how this data would be analysed Three open
Examples of appropriate questions are: questions
 What do you like about this treatment method? appropriate to this
 What do you dislike about this treatment method? study have been
 Which aspects of the treatment do you feel work the best? presented.

I will analyse the responses to these questions using content analysis. Content analysis is
For example, I will go through the responses to each question and an appropriate
pick out categories such as ‘It does not require much effort’ or ‘It has technique for
helped me to eat more’. When I have a list of categories, I will go analysing
through the responses and count the frequency of each response quantitative data,
using a tally chart – one for males and one for females. Using this especially in this
method, I could convert the qualitative data to quantitative data and study where male
compare the responses of the males and females. and female

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 25
Ethical issues responses need to be
When the participants agree to take part in the study they will be compared. There is a
provided with a consent form to read and sign. This will explain that clear explanation of
the aim of the study is to investigate their views about the anorexia how this would be
treatment they are having. They will be told that their information done in relation to
will remain confidential and even the doctor who is treating them will this study.
not know what has been discussed. This will also be stressed at the
beginning of the interview, where it will also be explained that they
have the right to refuse to answer any question they are not
comfortable with and are free to withdraw at any point during the
interview. The interviewer will also monitor the behaviour of the
respondents during the interviews to make sure that they are not
distressed. If they appear to be distressed then the interview will be
terminated. This is very important as participants in this sample are
vulnerable due to their eating disorder. At the end of the interview This is a very
they will be thanked for their time and debriefed by being provided detailed discussion
with a more detailed explanation of the aim, as it will be better to not of ethical issues and
provide information about gender differences at the beginning, as it how they will be
could lead to demand characteristics. If any of the participants are not dealt with which is
happy when told the full aim, then they will be allowed to withdraw written in the
their findings from the study. context of this study.

[Approx. 500 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All the elements of the self‐report study have been presented and the suggestions are very well
detailed, practical and appropriate for this investigation. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge of the interview method and the analysis of qualitative data and there is sufficient
material for the study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 26 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
CASE STUDY: BULLYING 
 
You are a psychologist who is interested in how experiences of being bullied as a child affect a person’s 
adult behaviour and relationships. You want to use a case study approach to gain an in‐depth 
understanding. Explain how you would conduct a case study to investigate this. 
 
You must refer to/provide details of: 
 At least two different ways you could collect data 
 How you would obtain your sample 
 How you would deal with ethical issues 
 How you could reduce investigator effects 
 [12 marks] 
 
Please note: This answer has been written in the first person as that question states: ‘how you would …’ 
and therefore first person is highly appropriate for this question. 
 
Two ways you could collect data
A case study involves conducting a detailed study of a single
individual (or group), so I could collect data by conducting a series of
unstructured interviews with one participant to find out about their
childhood experiences of being bullied and how they feel that has
affected their adult behaviours and experiences. I could also conduct
unstructured interviews with their parents to find out more
information about how they were bullied as a child. It would also be
useful to interview a close friend or partner of the participant to find
out more information about their behaviour and relationships.

A second method I could use to collect data is an overt observation of
the participant when they are interacting with friends or relatives, to
assess the nature of their interactions. This would be a structured Two appropriate
observation and I would produce a checklist of behaviours based on methods to collect
the information gathered in the interviews. Possible examples of data have been
behaviours might be ‘making eye‐contact’, ‘hugging’, ‘resisting identified and
affection from others’, etc. explained.

How to obtain sample
As I need to find a participant who was bullied as a child, and this is a This is an
very in‐depth investigation, it would be best to use a volunteer appropriate
sample. I could place an advert on social media (e.g. Facebook groups sampling technique
in my local area) asking for people who were bullied as a child to for this study and it
volunteer to take part in an in‐depth study. has been explained
and justified clearly.
Ethical issues
I would need to gain informed consent from the participant by
explaining the aim of the study and what taking part would involve.
They would be told that it would involve a series of in‐depth
interviews (with themselves and others) and some observations of
their behaviour. I would have to reassure them that anything they
told me would remain confidential and that when I published my

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 27
research it would not include their name or any other personal A detailed discussion
information that might identify them. They would also be offered the of ethical issues that
right to withdraw from the study at any point and told that they can focuses on the key
refuse to answer any questions. The same would apply to any other issues of informed
people interviewed as part of the case study. consent and
protection from
If the person became upset during the interview(s) then I would stop harm. The answer
the interview. I would also advise them to seek counselling if I also offers a way of
believed that the bullying was having a negative effect on their dealing with these
mental health. issues.

Reducing investigator effects
As the interviews are unstructured, I would need to be very careful to
avoid any leading questions that might suggest how the bullying
might have affected their behaviour and relationships. Due to the in‐ Two appropriate
depth nature of the study, I would need to conduct the interviews methods to reduce
myself. However, for the structured observation I would use an investigator effects
observer who did not know the aims of the research to reduce have been identified
observer bias. and explained.

[Approx. 500 Words]

Examiner style comments: Mark Band 4

All of the required elements of the case study have been presented and the suggestions are very
well detailed, practical and appropriate for this experiment. The answer demonstrates clear
knowledge and understanding of the case study method and there is sufficient material for the
study to be implemented.
 
   

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Page 28 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
EXPERIMENT: EXERCISE AND HAPPINESS 
 
Design an experiment to investigate whether exercise could increase feelings of happiness. For your  
measure of happiness, you should devise a measure that would provide data suitable for testing at an 
ordinal level of measurement. 
 
In your answer, you should provide details of:  
 Design – include reference to experimental design, variables and controls 
 Materials/Apparatus – describe any special materials required 
 Data analysis that could be used – include reference to both descriptive and inferential analysis 
 
Justify your choices.  
[12 marks] 
 
EXPERIMENT: MUSIC AND TASK PERFORMANCE 
 
Design an experiment using a repeated measures design that can be carried out in a classroom. 
The aim is to investigate whether listening to music affects task performance (e.g. while 
completing a word search or a spot the differences puzzle).  
 
In your answer, you should provide details of:  
 The operationalised IV, DV and controls 
 The sample and the sampling technique  
 The procedure that could be used – there should be enough detail for the study to be carried out 
 
[12 marks] 
 
EXPERIMENT: WRITTEN AND SPOKEN INFORMATION 
 
Design an experiment to test whether people who are given written information remember more than 
people who hear information in a spoken form. 
 
You must refer to/provide details of:  
 Design – include reference to experimental design, variables and controls 
 The sample and sampling technique 
 Materials/Apparatus – describe any special materials required 
 An outline of the proposed procedure 
 [12 marks] 
 
   

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 29

QUASI‐EXPERIMENT: MUSICAL ABILITY 
 
Design a quasi‐experiment to investigate whether there is a difference in the musical ability of left‐
handed students and right‐handed students in a sixth form college. 
 
You must provide details of: 
 The experimental design 
 An appropriate sampling method and justification 
 The procedure that could be used, including details of how musical ability would be assessed 
 A suitable debrief for the participants 
 [12 marks] 
 
QUASI‐EXPERIMENT: GENDER DIFFERENCES AND ATTENTION 
 
Imagine that you have been asked to design a quasi‐experiment to investigate whether there are gender 
differences in focussed attention. You decide to ask participants to find a specific letter (e.g. ‘b’) in an 
array of different letters, as in this example, where the task is to find the ‘b’ in an array of ‘d’s. 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  b  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d  d 
 
You decide to time the participants as they complete this task using a stop watch. Discuss the 
following aspects of this investigation: 
 With reference to the letter finding task, how you would ensure that the task is the same for all 
of the participants 
 One methodological issue that needs to be taken into account when you obtain suitable 
participants for this study and explain how you would deal with this issue 
 What you would do to ensure that your participants are treated ethically 
 How you would use inferential statistics to analyse the results of this investigation 
 [12 marks] 
 
OBSERVATION: MOBILE PHONE USE IN PUBLIC 
 
Design a naturalistic observation study to investigate mobile phone use in a public place.  
 
In your answer, you should provide details of: 
 Where and when you will conduct the observation and how you will sample behaviour 
 Which behavioural categories you will use and how you will record the data 
 Graphical representation of the data 
 How you will deal with ethical issues 
 [12 marks] 
 
 
 

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Page 30 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS
OBSERVATION: DIFFERENCES IN NON‐VERBAL BEHAVIOUR 
 
Design a controlled observation to investigate differences in non‐verbal behaviour (e.g. body 
language and gestures) of experts and non‐experts who are required to give a presentation to an 
audience. 
 
In your answer you should provide details of: 
 The task for the participants and how you will decide who is an expert and who is not an 
expert 
 Which behavioural categories you will use and how will you record the data 
 How the reliability of data might be established 
 Ethical issues to be considered 
[12 marks] 
 
OBSERVATION: HEALTHY BREAKFAST 
 
An experienced primary school teacher believes that children who eat ‘a healthy breakfast’ learn to read 
more quickly and are better behaved than children who eat an unhealthy breakfast. Imagine that you 
have been asked to design an observational study to see whether eating a healthy breakfast affects 
behaviour in the playground. 
 
Include in your answer sufficient detail to allow reasonable replication of the study. You must provide 
details of: 
 The directional hypothesis that you intend to test and how you will operationalise the 
Independent Variable (IV) 
 Which behavioural categories you will use and how you will record the data 
 How you will increase the validity of your observations 
 How you will deal with ethical issues 
 [12 marks] 
 
CORRELATION: CAKE CONSUMPTION AND HAPPINESS 
 
Design a study to investigate whether there is a correlation between cake consumption and levels of 
happiness in students. 
 
You must refer to: 
 Your target population, sample and sampling technique 
 How you would operationalise the co‐variables 
 The control of at least one extraneous variable  
 How you would present the data in a graph 
 [12 marks] 
 
 
 
 

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 AQA A LEVEL Psychology design a study solutions: RESEARCH METHODS Page 31

CORRELATIONAL STUDY: COFFEE CONSUMPTION AND MEMORY 
 
Imagine that you have been asked to design a correlation study to see if there is a relationship between 
the number of cups of coffee students drink and their performance on a memory test. Discuss the 
following aspects of this investigation: 
 How you would test memory and how would you ensure this was the same for all participants 
 How you would operationalise the second co‐variable and control at least one other extraneous 
variable (i.e. one not related to the test of memory) 
 How you would deal with ethical issues 
 How you would use inferential statistics to analyse the results of this investigation 
 [12 marks] 
 
SELF‐REPORT: MEMORY IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES AND REVISION 
 
Explain how you would carry out a self‐report study using a questionnaire to investigate the 
effectiveness of memory improvement techniques used by students while revising. 
 
You must refer to/provide details of: 
 Your target population, sample and sampling technique 
 Open and closed questions 
 How you would assess the reliability of the questionnaire 
 The use of a pilot study 
 [12 marks] 
 
SELF‐REPORT: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ANOREXIA TREATMENT 

Imagine that you are a psychologist who wanted to find out why females respond better than males to a 
new treatment for anorexia. Explain how you would carry out a self‐report investigation using an 
interview. 
 
You must refer to/provide details of: 
 The sample and the sampling technique 
 How you would reduce investigator effects such as interviewer bias 
 Examples of questions that would collect qualitative data and how this data would be analysed. 
 How you would deal with ethical issues 
 [12 marks] 
 
CASE STUDY: BULLYING 
 
You are a psychologist who is interested in how experiences of being bullied as a child affect a person’s 
adult behaviour and relationships. You want to use a case study approach to gain an in‐depth 
understanding. Explain how you would conduct a case study to investigate this. 
 
You must refer to/provide details of: 
 At least two different ways you could collect data 
 How you would obtain your sample 
 How you would deal with ethical issues 
 How you could reduce investigator effects 
 [12 marks] 

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