📚 Key Points for Experimental / Practical Assessment in Year 7 SQA Psychology | 七年级SQA心理学：实验/实践考核要点
In Year 7 SQA Psychology, practical and experimental work is not just about getting the ‘right’ answer. It is about showing that you can think like a scientist. You will be assessed on how you plan, carry out, and reflect on simple experiments. This guide covers the key areas you need to master, from writing a hypothesis to evaluating your findings.
在七年级 SQA 心理学课程中，实践与实验工作不仅仅是得出“正确”的答案。它更在于展示你能否像科学家一样思考。你将接受评估的内容包括如何计划、实施并反思简单的实验。本指南涵盖了你需要掌握的关键领域，从撰写假设到评估你的研究发现。
1. Understanding the Aim | 理解实验目的
Every practical investigation begins with a clear aim. The aim is a short statement that explains what you are trying to find out. It often starts with ‘To investigate…’ and must be specific. For example, ‘To investigate whether listening to music affects concentration on a puzzle task.’ A well-written aim guides your entire experiment and helps you stay focused during your practical assessment.
每一项实践调查都始于一个明确的目的。目的是一个简短的陈述，解释你想要探究什么。它通常以“探究……”开头，并且必须具体。例如，“探究听音乐是否会影响完成拼图任务时的注意力”。一个写得很好的目的可以指导你的整个实验，并帮助你在实践考核中保持专注。
2. Identifying Variables | 识别变量
Variables are the things that can change or be measured in an experiment. You must be able to identify three types of variables. The independent variable (IV) is the one you deliberately change. The dependent variable (DV) is the one you measure to see the effect. All other variables that could affect the DV must be kept the same; these are called control variables. For instance, in the music-concentration experiment, the IV is whether music is playing or not, the DV is the score on the puzzle, and control variables include the type of puzzle, the time limit, and the room environment.
变量是实验中可以变化或被测量的因素。你必须能够识别三种类型的变量。自变量（IV）是你有意改变的变量。因变量（DV）是你测量以观察效果的变量。所有其他可能影响 DV 的变量都必须保持不变；这些被称为控制变量。例如，在音乐与注意力的实验中，IV 是是否播放音乐，DV 是拼图得分，控制变量包括拼图类型、时间限制和房间环境。
3. Formulating a Hypothesis | 提出假设
A hypothesis is a testable prediction based on your aim. In Year 7, you will usually write a simple experimental hypothesis. It should state clearly how the IV will affect the DV. Use the format: ‘It is predicted that [change in IV] will [increase/decrease/change] the [DV].’ For example, ‘It is predicted that participants who listen to music will score lower on the puzzle than those who work in silence.’ Never phrase it as a question; it must be a clear statement.
假设是基于你的目的提出的一个可检验的预测。在七年级，你通常会写一个简单的实验假设。它应该清楚地说明 IV 将如何影响 DV。使用以下格式：“预测 [IV 的变化] 将会 [增加/减少/改变] [DV]。”例如，“预测听音乐的参与者将比在安静环境中工作的参与者在拼图上得分更低。”绝不要用问句来表达；它必须是一个清晰的陈述句。
4. Planning the Procedure | 规划实验步骤
Your procedure is a step-by-step recipe for your experiment. It must be detailed enough so that another person could repeat your experiment exactly. Include precise instructions, materials needed, and the order of events. In a practical assessment, you are often judged on how well you standardise the experience for all participants. Always mention that participants need to give their consent and be briefed in the same way.
你的实验步骤是实验的逐步操作指南。它必须足够详细，以便其他人能够完全重复你的实验。包括精确的指导语、所需材料以及事件顺序。在实践考核中，你通常会根据是否为所有参与者标准化了体验而受到评判。永远记得提及参与者需要给予同意，并以同样的方式接受简要说明。
5. Controlling Extraneous Variables | 控制额外变量
Extraneous variables are unwanted factors that might affect your DV, making your results unreliable. Common examples are noise, temperature, or the time of day. You must list these and explain how you will control them. For a Year 7 assessment, picking two or three strong control measures is enough. For example, ‘All participants will use the same puzzle in the same quiet room at the same time of day.’
额外变量是可能影响因变量、使结果不可靠的不必要因素。常见的例子有噪音、温度或一天中的时间。你必须列出这些变量，并解释你将如何控制它们。对于七年级的考核，选择两到三个强有力的控制措施就足够了。例如，“所有参与者将在一天中的同一时间，在同一安静的房间内使用同样的拼图。”
6. Ethical Considerations | 伦理考量
Ethics are rules about treating people fairly and respectfully in research. Even in a small classroom experiment, you must follow ethical guidelines. The main principles to remember are: getting informed consent, allowing participants to withdraw at any time, keeping their data confidential, and avoiding any harm or embarrassment. During your assessment, you should mention how you protected your participants’ rights, for example by telling them they could stop at any time.
伦理是关于在研究中公平、尊重地对待他人的规则。即使是在一个小的课堂实验中，你也必须遵循伦理准则。需要记住的主要原则是：获得知情同意、允许参与者随时退出、对他们的数据保密，以及避免任何伤害或尴尬。在评估过程中，你应该提到你是如何保护参与者权利的，例如告知他们可以随时停止实验。
7. Types of Experimental Design | 实验设计类型
In Year 7, you may learn about three simple designs. A repeated measures design means the same group does all conditions. An independent groups design uses two separate groups, one for each condition. A matched pairs design pairs up similar participants. Each has strengths and weaknesses. For example, repeated measures avoids individual differences, but participants might get bored or practise. In your practical write-up, you need to name and justify your chosen design.
在七年级，你可能会学习三种简单的设计。重复测量设计指同一组人完成所有条件。独立组设计使用两个独立的组，每组对应一个条件。配对组设计将相似的参与者配对。每种设计都有优点和缺点。例如，重复测量避免了个人差异，但参与者可能会感到无聊或产生练习效应。在你的实践报告中，你需要指出所选择的设计并解释其理由。
| Design | 设计类型 | Advantage | 优点 | Disadvantage | 缺点 |
|---|---|---|
| Repeated Measures | 重复测量 | Fewer participants needed | 需要较少参与者 | Order effects (boredom, practice) | 顺序效应（厌倦、练习） |
| Independent Groups | 独立组 | No order effects | 无顺序效应 | Individual differences between groups | 组间个人差异 |
8. Collecting Data | 收集数据
Data collection must be systematic and fair. Use a pre-prepared table or chart to record results immediately. For quantitative data, which is numerical, you can record scores or reaction times. Qualitative data, such as written comments, should be noted accurately. In your assessment, your teacher will look for neat, organised records. Always label your tables clearly and include units where necessary (e.g., ‘correct answers out of 20’).
数据收集必须系统且公平。使用预先准备的表格或图表立即记录结果。对于数字形式的定量数据，你可以记录分数或反应时间。定性数据，如书面评论，应准确记录。在评估中，你的老师会寻找整洁、有条理的记录。始终清晰地标记表格，并在必要时包含单位（例如，“20 道题中答对的题数”）。
9. Presenting and Interpreting Results | 呈现与解读结果
Once you have collected data, you need to present it clearly. A bar chart is ideal for comparing two conditions in Year 7. The graph must have a title, labelled axes (x-axis for IV, y-axis for DV), and an appropriate scale. After presenting, describe what the graph shows. Look for a pattern: did one condition produce higher scores? Avoid making big claims; just state what you see. For example, ‘The mean score in silence was 15, while the mean score with music was 11.’
一旦收集了数据，你需要清晰地呈现它。在七年级，条形图非常适合比较两种条件。图表必须有标题、带标签的坐标轴（x 轴为 IV，y 轴为 DV）以及合适的刻度。呈现之后，描述图表显示的内容。寻找模式：哪一个条件产生了更高的分数？避免做出重大断言；只需陈述你所看到的。例如，“安静条件下的平均分是 15 分，而听音乐条件下的平均分是 11 分。”
Mean score = (Sum of all scores) ÷ (Number of participants)
平均分 = (所有分数之和) ÷ (参与者人数)
10. Writing a Conclusion | 撰写结论
A conclusion must refer back to your hypothesis. State whether the results support your hypothesis or not. In Year 7, it is perfectly acceptable to say the evidence did not support the hypothesis; this is not a failure. Then briefly explain what the findings might mean in real life. For example, ‘The results do not support the hypothesis. This suggests that for a short puzzle, music may not greatly affect concentration.’ Keep it simple and evidence-based.
结论必须回扣你的假设。陈述结果是否支持你的假设。在七年级，说证据不支持假设是完全可接受的；这不代表失败。然后简要解释这些发现在现实生活中可能意味着什么。例如，“结果不支持该假设。这表明对于简单的拼图任务，音乐可能不会极大地影响注意力。”保持简洁，以证据为基础。
11. Evaluating the Experiment | 评估实验
Evaluation means looking back to see what went well and what could be improved. You should identify at least one limitation of your own experiment, such as a small sample size, a time limit that was too short, or a control that was not perfect. Then suggest a realistic improvement for next time. In a practical assessment, examiners want to see honest reflection, not excuses. For instance, ‘A limitation was that we tested only ten students, which is not representative. Next time, I would test a whole class.’
评估意味着回顾哪些地方做得好，哪些地方可以改进。你应至少指出你实验的一个局限性，例如样本量小、时间限制太短或某个控制措施不完善。然后为下一次实验提出一个现实的改进建议。在实践考核中，考官希望看到诚实的反思，而不是借口。例如，“一个局限是我们只测试了十名学生，这并不具有代表性。下次，我会测试整个班级的学生。”
12. Key Assessment Tips | 关键考核技巧
To do well in a practical assessment, always read the task brief carefully and check you have included every required section: aim, hypothesis, variables, procedure, results, and evaluation. Use the correct psychological vocabulary such as ‘variable’ or ‘consent’. Manage your time so you leave five minutes to double-check your work. Finally, remember that neat presentation, clear handwriting, and labelled diagrams create a strong impression and help the examiner see your scientific thinking.
要在实践考核中表现出色，首先要仔细阅读任务细则，并检查你是否包含了所有必要部分：目的、假设、变量、步骤、结果和评估。使用正确的心理学词汇，如“变量”或“知情同意”。合理安排时间，留出五分钟复查你的作品。最后，请记住，整洁的呈现、清晰的书写和带有标签的图表会给人留下深刻的印象，并帮助考官看到你的科学思维。
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