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Methods of Enquiry in Psychology – Class 11 Psychology notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 11 Psychology, chapter 2. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Psychologists use scientific methods to describe, predict, explain and control behaviour. Research follows steps from conceptualising a problem and forming a hypothesis to collecting data, drawing conclusions and revising theory. Methods include observation, experiments, correlational research, surveys, psychological tests and case studies. Psychological data may be quantitative or qualitative, and research must follow ethical principles.

Goals, steps and data

Goals of psychological enquiry: description, prediction, explanation and application (control) of behaviour.
Steps: conceptualising a problem and forming a hypothesis, collecting data, drawing conclusions, and revising research conclusions.
Data can be demographic, physical, physiological or psychological; data are not independent of the context, the researcher and the participants.

Methods

Observation may be naturalistic or controlled, participant or non-participant; it is systematic, unlike everyday looking.
In an experiment, the independent variable is manipulated to see its effect on the dependent variable, while extraneous variables are controlled; experimental and control groups are compared. Field experiments and quasi-experiments are variations.
Correlational research measures the relationship between two variables (positive, negative or zero), but correlation does not prove causation. Surveys use questionnaires and interviews; psychological tests must be standardised, reliable, valid and have norms; case studies give an in-depth picture of one person or group.

Key terms

Hypothesis: a tentative answer to a research question that can be tested
Independent variable: the variable manipulated by the experimenter
Dependent variable: the variable measured to see the effect
Reliability: consistency of scores obtained by a test
Validity: the extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure

Important questions with answers

Distinguish between independent and dependent variables.2 marks

The independent variable is the factor that the experimenter manipulates or changes, such as noise level. The dependent variable is the behaviour measured to see the effect of that change, such as performance on a task.

What are the characteristics of a good psychological test?3 marks

A good test is standardised, with uniform procedures for administering and scoring; it is reliable, giving consistent scores; it is valid, measuring what it claims to measure; and it has norms, which are average performance levels of a representative group for comparison.

Explain the experimental method in psychology with its merits and limitations.5 marks

The experimental method is used to establish cause-effect relationships between variables under controlled conditions. The researcher manipulates the independent variable, such as the amount of practice, and measures its effect on the dependent variable, such as recall. Extraneous variables, which could also affect the result, such as age or fatigue, are controlled through methods like elimination, keeping them constant, matching groups and counterbalancing. Usually there is an experimental group, which receives the manipulation, and a control group, which does not, and random assignment ensures that groups are similar. For example, to test whether noise affects concentration, one group works in a noisy room and another in a quiet room, and their scores are compared. Laboratory experiments offer high control and allow precise measurement and replication. Field experiments are carried out in natural settings, giving more realistic results with less control, and quasi-experiments use naturally formed groups when random assignment is not possible. The merits of the experimental method are that it allows conclusions about causation and can be repeated by other researchers. Its limitations include artificiality of laboratory settings, which reduces generalisability to real life; ethical issues, since some variables cannot be manipulated, such as exposing people to harm; and the difficulty of controlling all extraneous variables. Participants' awareness of being studied may also affect behaviour.

Quick revision

Goals: describe, predict, explain, control.
Steps of research.
Observation, experiment, correlation, survey, test, case study.
Reliability, validity, norms; ethics.

Exam tips

In any experiment, first identify the IV and DV.
Remember: correlation does not mean causation.

Practice MCQs

The variable manipulated by the experimenter is the
1. dependent variable
2. extraneous variable
3. independent variable
4. control variable
Show answer
Answer: (c) independent variable. Its effect is studied.
A tentative, testable answer to a research question is a
1. theory
2. sample
3. conclusion
4. hypothesis
Show answer
Answer: (d) hypothesis. Research tests it.
An in-depth study of one person is a
1. survey
2. case study
3. correlational study
4. field experiment
Show answer
Answer: (b) case study. Clinical psychologists use it.
Consistency of test scores over time is called
1. reliability
2. validity
3. norm
4. sampling
Show answer
Answer: (a) reliability. A reliable test gives similar scores.
In an experiment, the group that does not receive the treatment is the
1. experimental group
2. control group
3. focus group
4. reference group
Show answer
Answer: (b) control group. It serves for comparison.
A correlation of −0.8 indicates
1. no relationship
2. a weak positive relationship
3. a strong negative relationship
4. causation
Show answer
Answer: (c) a strong negative relationship. As one increases, the other decreases.
Why can a correlational study not prove causation
1. it uses no numbers
2. it always has a sample of one
3. a third variable may cause both, and the direction of influence is unclear
4. it uses only interviews
Show answer
Answer: (c) a third variable may cause both, and the direction of influence is unclear. Experiments are needed for cause.
Which ethical principle requires telling participants the purpose of the study after it ends
1. informed consent
2. debriefing
3. confidentiality
4. voluntary participation
Show answer
Answer: (b) debriefing. Debriefing removes any misunderstanding.

All chapters of Class 11 Psychology

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.