MPC-005: Research Methods in Psychology — Exam Preparation
📊 Overview
Based on analysis of 14 years × 2 sessions (2011–2024) of previous question papers:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Papers Analyzed | 28 (all readable) |
| Total Questions Extracted | ~280 |
| Unique Topics Identified | 24 |
| Most Repeated Questions | Discourse Analysis & Grounded Theory (12 appearances each, 42.9%) |
| High Priority Topics | 18 |
| Medium Priority Topics | 6 |
| Low Priority Topics | 0 |
🎯 Exam Pattern
The exam format changed from 2015. All recent papers (2015–2024) follow this structure:
| Section | Questions Given | Answer | Marks Each | Word Limit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A (Long) | 4 | Any 2 | 10 marks | ~450 words | 20 |
| Section B (Medium) | 5 | Any 4 | 6 marks | ~250 words | 24 |
| Section C (Short Notes) | 3 | Any 2 | 3 marks | ~100 words | 6 |
| Total | 50 |
Note (Pre-2015 Format): Papers from 2011–2014 had 10 questions, answer any 5 — each 10 marks, ~500 words.
Time Management
- Total time: 2 hours
- Section A: ~25 minutes per answer (2 answers = 50 min)
- Section B: ~12 minutes per answer (4 answers = 48 min)
- Section C: ~6 minutes per note (2 notes = 12 min)
- Reading & selection: 10 minutes
Question Selection Strategy
- Block 4 (Qualitative) dominates — always prepare Discourse Analysis and Grounded Theory fully
- Block 2 (Research Design) — Factorial Design and Quasi-Experimental are virtually certain each paper
- Validity appears in almost every December paper; Reliability in almost every June paper
- Short notes in Section C are safest from: Ethnography types, Variables, Qualities of good research
🔥 Most Repeated Questions (Must Prepare)
| Question Theme | Appearances | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Approaches/steps in Discourse Analysis | 12 times | 🔴 Extremely High |
| Goals, steps and coding in Grounded Theory | 12 times | 🔴 Extremely High |
| Types of Quasi-Experimental Design | 12 times | 🔴 Extremely High |
| Types and definition of Factorial Design | 11 times | 🔴 Extremely High |
| Threats to internal/external validity | 11 times | 🔴 Extremely High |
| Steps in research process | 10 times | 🔴 Very High |
| Methods of estimating reliability | 10 times | 🔴 Very High |
| Types and methods of survey research | 10 times | 🔴 Very High |
| Evaluating and reporting qualitative data | 10 times | 🔴 Very High |
| Ex-post facto research — concept, characteristics, steps | 9 times | 🔴 Very High |
Strategy: These 10 question clusters are virtually certain to appear. Prepare full answers for all of them.
📈 Topic Priority Analysis
View complete statistical analysis →
🔴 High Priority Topics (Must Study — 18 topics)
| # | Topic | Frequency | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discourse Analysis | 18 papers (64.3%) | 🔴 High |
| 2 | Factorial Design | 17 papers (60.7%) | 🔴 High |
| 3 | Validity | 16 papers (57.1%) | 🔴 High |
| 4 | Quasi-Experimental Design | 16 papers (57.1%) | 🔴 High |
| 5 | Survey Research | 16 papers (57.1%) | 🔴 High |
| 6 | Qualitative Research | 16 papers (57.1%) | 🔴 High |
| 7 | Grounded Theory | 16 papers (57.1%) | 🔴 High |
| 8 | Qualitative Research Report & Data Evaluation | 14 papers (50.0%) | 🔴 High |
| 9 | Experimental Research Design | 13 papers (46.4%) | 🔴 High |
| 10 | Correlational Research Design | 13 papers (46.4%) | 🔴 High |
| 11 | Reliability | 12 papers (42.9%) | 🔴 High |
| 12 | Sampling Methods | 12 papers (42.9%) | 🔴 High |
| 13 | Variables and Constructs | 12 papers (42.9%) | 🔴 High |
| 14 | Ex-Post Facto Research | 12 papers (42.9%) | 🔴 High |
| 15 | Qualities of Good Research | 12 papers (42.9%) | 🔴 High |
| 16 | Research Process | 10 papers (35.7%) | 🔴 High |
| 17 | Ethnography | 15 papers (53.6%) | 🔴 High |
| 18 | Case Study | 10 papers (35.7%) | 🔴 High |
View all high priority topics →
🟡 Medium Priority Topics
| # | Topic | Frequency | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Hypothesis | 8 papers (28.6%) | 🟡 Medium |
| 20 | Field Experiment | 8 papers (28.6%) | 🟡 Medium |
| 21 | Causal-Comparative Design | 9 papers (32.1%) | 🟡 Medium |
| 22 | Research Design (objectives, types, criteria) | 7 papers (25.0%) | 🟡 Medium |
| 23 | Content Analysis | 7 papers (25.0%) | 🟡 Medium |
| 24 | Research Biases | 5 papers (17.9%) | 🟡 Medium |
📚 Study Resources
- Complete Course Content — MPC-005
- Block 1: Basic Concepts in Research (reliability, validity, variables, sampling, hypothesis)
- Block 2: Research Design (single-factor, factorial, quasi-experimental, correlational, causal-comparative)
- Block 3: Types of Research (survey, ex-post facto, field experiment, case study)
- Block 4: Qualitative Research (ethnography, grounded theory, discourse analysis, content analysis, reporting)
✅ Track Your Progress
- Review topic analysis and priority charts
- Complete all High Priority topics (0/18)
- Discourse Analysis
- Factorial Design
- Validity
- Quasi-Experimental Design
- Survey Research
- Qualitative Research
- Grounded Theory
- Qualitative Research Report & Data Evaluation
- Experimental Research Design
- Correlational Research Design
- Reliability
- Sampling Methods
- Variables and Constructs
- Ex-Post Facto Research
- Qualities of Good Research
- Research Process
- Ethnography
- Case Study
- Complete all Medium Priority topics (0/6)
- Practice writing full Section A answers (450 words)
- Practice Section B answers (250 words)
- Practice Section C short notes (100 words)
Progress: 0% complete