Parametric- most powerful, must have drawn from a population of normal distribution for the variable being measured. There should be homogeneity in variance (SD of one is not more than twice of the other)

Non-parametric- doesn't require normal distribution, doesn't require homogeneity of variance

Type 1 error- false positive, rejecting the null hypothesis, occurs with too high level of significance e.g. 10%

Type 2 error- false negative, accepting the null hypothesis, occurs with too low level of significance e.g. 1%

Sections of a scientific report

Abstract- 150-200 words, aims and hypotheses, methods and procedures, and results and conclusions- a summary

Introduction- literature review, including details of theories, concepts and studies. It should follow a logical progression, with the aim and hypotheses at the end

Method- detailed enough for replication, design, sample (size, target population, sampling method), apparatus/materials, procedure (brief/debrief, standardised instructions), and ethics

Results- summary of key findings, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and the final outcome (which hypothesis?)

Discussion- findings are described in verbal form, and are discussed in relation to the literature in the introduction. Includes limitations and how to tackle them in the future, and implications.

References- surname, date published, book title, city, publisher

Features of a science

Objectivity- free from bias

Empirical evidence- evidence should be obtained via direct sensory experience e.g. experiments

Replicability- research should be standardised so findings can be tested. It is useful for validity, reliability, generalisability, and theory construction

Theory construction and hypothesis testing- observation of a behaviour leads to the development of a hypothesis. A study is designed to gather evidence, and if the hypothesis is supported then the theory is strengthened, but if not the theory is revised. New hypotheses from old theories is called deduction.

Paradigm- a set of agreed methods and assumptions. Psychology had a paradigm shift- new evidence leads to paradigms being replaced.

Falsifiability- it should be possible to test a theory and prove it false.

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Final brief notes on AQA A Level Research Methods (only second year, not AS Level).

Research Methods- A Level final revision