A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What type of data was primarily used in both Loftus and Palmer (1973) and Grant et al (1998)?

1. Qualitative data

2. Quantitative data

3. Mixed-method data

4. Anecdotal data

The correct answer is: Quantitative data

In both Loftus and Palmer's study on the misinformation effect and Grant et al.'s research on context-dependent memory, quantitative data played a crucial role in their findings. Loftus and Palmer (1973) employed an experimental design that involved showing participants film clips of car accidents and then asking them questions about what they observed. The responses, particularly regarding speed estimates based on the wording of the questions, resulted in numerical data that could be analyzed statistically, illustrating how different wordings influenced participants' perceptions. Similarly, in Grant et al. (1998), participants were tested on their recall and recognition of information, and the data collected were primarily numerical, assessing the number of correct answers and the differences in performance between different study conditions (noise vs. no noise). This emphasis on counting and measuring the outcomes facilitated statistical analysis to determine significant differences between groups. The primary focus on numerical outcomes in both studies underscores their reliance on quantitative data to draw conclusions about cognitive processes, making this answer the most accurate choice.