Imagine you have been asked to design a study to investigate potential differences in spatial problem-solving speed between young adults (aged 18–25) and older adults (aged 65–75). You decide you will ask participants to assemble a 15-piece geometric tangram puzzle to match a target silhouette pattern. You decide you will time how long each participant takes to successfully complete the puzzle using a digital stopwatch.
Discuss the following aspects of this investigation:
With reference to the puzzle-assembly task, explain how you would ensure that this is made the same task for all participants
One methodological issue you should take into account when obtaining suitable participants for this study, and explain how you would deal with this issue
How you would ensure that the experience of your participants is ethical
32 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Psychology Experimental method. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.