AP Psychology · Exam guide
AP Psychology Research Methods and Ethics Explained: Naming the Method and the Guideline
The first two rubric rows of the Article Analysis Question ask you to name the research method and define a variable. Another row asks for an ethical guideline. You can win these points reliably if you can tell the methods apart. This guide gives you the clues to look for.
The methods and how to spot them
| Method | The clue in the summary | Can it show cause and effect? |
|---|---|---|
| Experiment | Researchers manipulate an independent variable and participants are randomly assigned to conditions. | Yes, if random assignment is used and other variables are controlled. |
| Quasi-experiment | Researchers compare groups, but the groups already existed or could not be assigned at random. | No. Groups may differ in other ways. |
| Correlational study | Researchers measure two variables as they are and report how they are related, often with a correlation coefficient. | No. |
| Naturalistic observation | Researchers watch behavior in its normal setting without interfering. | No. |
| Case study | An in-depth study of one person or a small group. | No. |
| Survey | Participants answer questions about their attitudes or behavior. | No. |
| Longitudinal design | The same people are followed over a long time. | Not by itself. |
| Cross-sectional design | People of different ages are compared at one time. | Not by itself. |
| Meta-analysis | Results of many earlier studies are combined statistically. | Depends on the studies combined. |
Two ideas students mix up
| Idea | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Random sampling | Every member of the population had an equal chance of being chosen, so results can be generalized to that population. |
| Random assignment | Participants were placed in conditions by chance, so groups start out alike and differences can be attributed to the treatment. |
Operational definitions
An operational definition says exactly how a variable was measured or manipulated in this study. "Stress" is a concept. "Score on a 20-item stress questionnaire" is an operational definition.
It restates the variable and says nothing about how it was measured.
It names the measure, the scale and the timing.
Ethical guidelines to know
- Informed consent, and parental consent plus the child's assent for minors.
- Protection from harm, including physical and psychological harm.
- Confidentiality or anonymity of participants' data.
- Deception only when justified, followed by debriefing.
- The right to withdraw at any time without penalty.
- Review by an institutional review board (IRB), or by an animal care committee for animal research.
Name a guideline only if the summary gives evidence for it. A summary that says participants "could leave at any time" supports the right to withdraw.
Common mistakes
- Calling a study an experiment when participants were not randomly assigned.
- Calling a correlational study an experiment because it has two variables.
- Writing a dictionary definition when asked for an operational definition.
- Naming an ethical guideline the summary gives no evidence for.
- Confusing random sampling (generalizing) with random assignment (cause).
Frequently asked questions
How do I know a study is an experiment?
Look for a manipulated independent variable and random assignment to conditions. Without both, it is not a true experiment.
What is the difference between a quasi-experiment and an experiment?
In a quasi-experiment participants are not randomly assigned, for example when comparing existing groups.
Can I name more than one ethical guideline?
Yes, if each is supported by the summary. The rubric needs one, so choose the clearest.
Does a correlation show cause and effect?
No. A third variable or the reverse direction could explain the relationship.
Where can I find the official scoring rules?
Exam formats change a little from year to year, so check the current course and exam description on the College Board site before test day.
Keep practicing
The AP Psychology course has five Article Analysis prompts and five Evidence-Based prompts, each with the research summaries, a timed writing space that scores against the official rubric, and a 7 out of 7 model response. These free lessons also build the skills the free-response section tests:
- Free lesson 1.2: samples, measurement and ethics
- Free lesson 1.4: correlation, effect size and significance
See the AP Psychology course Free lessons and lesson list
Other free-response guides:
- AP Psychology FRQ Guide: The Article Analysis and Evidence-Based Questions
- AP Psychology Article Analysis Question (AAQ) Explained: How to Earn 7 Points
- AP Psychology Evidence-Based Question (EBQ) Explained: How to Earn 7 Points
- AP Psychology Statistics in Context: Interpreting the Mean, Correlation, Effect Size and p-Value
- AP Psychology Multiple-Choice Guide: The Three Question Styles and How to Answer Them
- AP Psychology Evidence-Based Question: Concepts to Pair with Evidence, Unit by Unit
AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. This guide is our own explanation of the question types and scoring. For the official scoring guidelines, see the College Board.