Topic Analysis: MPC-005 Research Methods in Psychology

📊 Statistical Overview

Papers Analyzed: 28 (2011–2024, June + December) Total Questions: ~280 Unique Topics: 24

Topic Priority Distribution

All Topics by Frequency (Papers Appeared)

Rank	Topic	Papers	%	Sec A	Sec B	Sec C	Priority
1	Discourse Analysis	18	64.3%	8	7	3	🔴 High
2	Factorial Design	17	60.7%	10	5	2	🔴 High
3	Ethnography	15	53.6%	3	6	6	🔴 High
4	Validity	16	57.1%	5	9	2	🔴 High
5	Quasi-Experimental Design	16	57.1%	8	7	1	🔴 High
6	Survey Research	16	57.1%	8	6	2	🔴 High
7	Qualitative Research	16	57.1%	8	6	2	🔴 High
8	Grounded Theory	16	57.1%	10	4	2	🔴 High
9	Qualitative Research Report	14	50.0%	7	5	2	🔴 High
10	Experimental Research Design	13	46.4%	8	4	1	🔴 High
11	Correlational Research Design	13	46.4%	6	5	2	🔴 High
12	Reliability	12	42.9%	7	4	1	🔴 High
13	Sampling Methods	12	42.9%	6	5	1	🔴 High
14	Variables and Constructs	12	42.9%	5	6	1	🔴 High
15	Ex-Post Facto Research	12	42.9%	7	3	2	🔴 High
16	Qualities of Good Research	12	42.9%	3	3	6	🔴 High
17	Research Process	10	35.7%	9	1	0	🔴 High
18	Case Study	10	35.7%	4	3	3	🔴 High
19	Causal-Comparative Design	9	32.1%	3	5	1	🟡 Medium
20	Hypothesis	8	28.6%	3	4	1	🟡 Medium
21	Field Experiment	8	28.6%	4	2	2	🟡 Medium
22	Research Design (general)	7	25.0%	4	3	0	🟡 Medium
23	Content Analysis	7	25.0%	1	2	4	🟡 Medium
24	Research Biases	5	17.9%	2	1	2	🟡 Medium

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🔁 Most Repeated Questions

Rank	Question	Times	Topic
1	Approaches/steps in Discourse Analysis	12	Discourse Analysis
2	Goals, steps and coding in Grounded Theory	12	Grounded Theory
3	Types of Quasi-Experimental Design	12	Quasi-Experimental Design
4	Types and definition of Factorial Design	11	Factorial Design
5	Threats to internal/external validity	11	Validity
6	Steps in research process	10	Research Process
7	Methods of estimating reliability	10	Reliability
8	Types and methods of survey research	10	Survey Research
9	Evaluating/reporting qualitative data	10	Qualitative Research Report
10	Ex-post facto — concept, characteristics, steps	9	Ex-Post Facto Research

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🗓️ Session-wise Patterns

June-Heavier Topics

• Reliability — methods of estimating reliability appear almost exclusively in June
• Survey Research — slightly more June appearances
• Grounded Theory — slightly more June

December-Heavier Topics

• Validity — threats to internal validity heavily skewed to December (11 of 16 appearances)
• Quasi-Experimental Design — strongly December-dominant (12 of 16)
• Research Process — mostly December (7 of 10)

Balanced Topics

• Factorial Design, Qualitative Research, Ethnography, Variables & Constructs

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💡 Exam Insights

Safe Section A Pairs (Most likely combinations)

• June: Grounded Theory + Factorial Design / Reliability + Survey Research
• December: Discourse Analysis + Quasi-Experimental Design / Validity + Research Process

Safest Section B Bets

1. Validity (threats to external validity)
2. Variables and Constructs
3. Ethnography types and assumptions
4. Correlational vs Causal-Comparative
5. Hypothesis formulation

Safest Section C Short Notes

1. Qualities of good research
2. Ethnography types
3. Content analysis
4. Ex-post facto (short)
5. Variables types