📚 Year 7 CIE Psychology: Key Points for Experimental/Practical Assessment | Year 7 CIE 心理学：实验/实践考核要点
Welcome to your guide on practical and experimental assessment in Year 7 CIE Psychology. This article breaks down the essential skills you need to design, conduct, and write up simple psychological investigations. By mastering these key points, you will approach your practical assessment with confidence and a clear understanding of how psychologists explore human behaviour.
欢迎阅读 Year 7 CIE 心理学实验与实践考核指南。本文将拆解设计、实施并撰写简单心理学研究所需的核心技能。掌握这些要点后，你将能自信地应对实践考核，并对心理学家探索人类行为的方式形成清晰认识。
1. Understanding Independent and Dependent Variables | 理解自变量与因变量
In any experiment, you will change one thing and measure another. The independent variable (IV) is the factor that you deliberately change or manipulate.
在任何实验中，你都会改变一件事并测量另一件事。自变量（IV）就是你故意改变或操纵的因素。
The dependent variable (DV) is the factor that you measure after you have changed the IV. It ‘depends’ on the independent variable.
因变量（DV）是你在改变 IV 后测量的因素。它“取决于”自变量。
For example, if you want to test whether background music affects memory, the type of music (or silence) is the IV, and the number of words correctly recalled is the DV.
例如，如果你想测试背景音乐是否影响记忆，音乐类型（或安静）就是 IV，正确回忆的单词数量就是 DV。
Always identify your IV and DV before you start planning your experiment. This keeps your investigation focused and testable.
在开始规划实验之前，务必先确定 IV 和 DV。这能让你的研究保持聚焦且可检验。
2. Identifying Extraneous and Control Variables | 识别额外变量与控制变量
Extraneous variables are any factors other than the IV that might influence the DV. They are unwanted and can ruin your results if not managed.
额外变量是除 IV 之外可能影响 DV 的任何因素。它们是不受欢迎的，如果不加以控制，会破坏你的结果。
A control variable is an extraneous variable that you actively keep the same for all participants. By doing this, you reduce its effect.
控制变量是你主动为所有参与者保持恒定的额外变量。这样做可以减少其影响。
Common control variables in classroom experiments include time of day, lighting, noise levels, and instructions given to participants.
课堂实验中的常见控制变量包括时间、照明、噪音水平以及向参与者提供的指导语。
Use a table to plan your control variables. For each one, write down exactly how you will keep it constant. This shows good scientific thinking.
使用表格来规划控制变量。针对每一个变量，写下你将如何使其保持恒定。这体现了良好的科学思维。
3. Formulating a Clear Hypothesis | 制定清晰假设
A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about the relationship between your IV and DV. It should not be a vague guess.
假设是关于 IV 与 DV 之间关系的一种具体、可检验的预测。它不应是模糊的猜测。
An acceptable hypothesis for Year 7 might be: “Participants who listen to calm music will recall more words from a list than participants who work in silence.”
对 Year 7 来说，一个可接受的假设可以是：“听平静音乐的参与者将比在安静环境中工作的参与者回忆起更多的单词。”
You can write a ‘directional’ hypothesis (predicting which group will do better) or a ‘non-directional’ one (predicting a difference without saying which direction). Both are fine as long as they are clear.
你可以写“定向”假设（预测哪一组表现更好）或“非定向”假设（预测有差异但不指明方向）。只要清晰，两者都可以。
Your hypothesis must mention both the IV condition and the expected change in the DV. Never skip this step.
你的假设必须提及 IV 的条件和 DV 的预期变化。切勿跳过这一步。
4. Choosing the Right Experimental Design | 选择合适实验设计
Experimental design refers to how you assign participants to conditions. The three main types are independent groups, repeated measures, and matched pairs.
实验设计指如何将参与者分配到不同条件。三种主要类型是独立组、重复测量和匹配对。
In independent groups design, different participants take part in each condition. This avoids practice effects but you need more participants.
在独立组设计中，不同参与者参与各个条件。这避免了练习效应，但你需要更多参与者。
In repeated measures design, the same participants do all conditions. This controls individual differences but can create order effects like boredom or improvement.
在重复测量设计中，同样的参与者完成所有条件。这控制了个体差异，但会产生顺序效应，如厌倦或进步。
For most Year 7 practicals, independent groups or simple repeated measures designs work well. Choose based on your topic and explain your choice in the report.
对大多数 Year 7 实践来说，独立组或简单的重复测量设计效果不错。根据你的主题进行选择，并在报告中解释你的选择。
5. Ethical Guidelines in Practice | 实践中的伦理准则
Psychology experiments involve people, so you must follow ethical rules. The main principles are: consent, right to withdraw, protection from harm, and debriefing.
心理学实验涉及人，因此你必须遵守伦理规则。主要原则有：知情同意、退出权、免受伤害保护以及事后解释。
Before you start, you must explain the task and get permission from your participants. This is called informed consent. For classmates, a simple verbal explanation and agreement is often enough.
开始前，你必须解释任务并获得参与者的许可。这称作知情同意。对于同学，简单的口头解释并获得其同意通常就够了。
Participants must know they can stop at any time without penalty. Say clearly, “You can stop whenever you want.” This is the right to withdraw.
参与者必须知道他们可以随时退出而不会受到惩罚。要清楚说明：“你可以想停就停。” 这就是退出权。
Never make participants feel stressed, embarrassed, or upset. Keep your task simple and pleasant. After the experiment, tell them what you were testing (debriefing) and thank them.
绝不能让参与者感到压力、尴尬或不安。保持任务简单而令人愉快。实验结束后，告诉他们你在测试什么（事后解释）并感谢他们。
6. Effective Observation and Data Recording | 有效观察与数据记录
During your practical, you need to record data accurately. Use a structured observation sheet or a table prepared in advance.
在实践过程中，你需要准确记录数据。使用提前准备好的结构化观察记录表或表格。
If you are counting behaviours, create behaviour categories. For example, “number of times a participant smiles” is a clear, countable category.
如果你在计数行为，创建行为类别。例如，“参与者微笑的次数”就是一个清晰、可计数的类别。
Record your data immediately. Do not rely on memory. Write down numbers, ticks, or notes as the experiment happens.
立即记录数据。不要依赖记忆。在实验进行时写下数字、打勾或做笔记。
Keep raw data neat and safe. You will need it for the analysis section and it shows that your results are genuine.
保持原始数据整洁且安全。你会需要它来进行分析，并且它能表明你的结果是真实的。
7. Basic Data Analysis: Averages and Charts | 基本数据分析：平均数与图表
Once you have collected your data, you need to summarise it. The most common summary is the mean (average).
收集到数据后，你需要进行汇总。最常用的汇总是平均值（平均数）。
Mean = Sum of all scores ÷ Number of scores
平均数 = 所有分数之和 ÷ 分数的个数
Calculate the mean for each condition to compare them. For example, if five participants in group A recalled 6, 8, 7, 9, and 5 words, the mean is (6+8+7+9+5) ÷ 5 = 7 words.
计算每个条件下的平均数以便进行比较。例如，如果 A 组五位参与者回忆出 6、8、7、9、5 个单词，平均数为 (6+8+7+9+5) ÷ 5 = 7 个单词。
Present your data in a bar chart. Label the x-axis with your IV conditions and the y-axis with the mean DV. Give your chart a clear title.
用条形图呈现数据。x 轴标上 IV 条件，y 轴标上 DV 平均值。给图表加上清晰的标题。
8. Structuring Your Lab Report | 构建实验报告
Your practical assessment almost always requires a written report. The standard sections help you present your work logically.
实践考核几乎总是要求撰写报告。标准的报告结构有助于你有逻辑地呈现工作。
| Title | A clear statement of what your experiment is about, e.g. ‘The Effect of Music on Word Recall’. |
| Introduction | Brief background, your aim, and your hypothesis. |
| Method | Sub-sections on Design, Participants, Materials, and Procedure. Someone else should be able to copy your experiment exactly. |
| Results | Present your data in tables and a graph. Report the means. Do not discuss what the results mean here. |
| Discussion | Explain your findings. Were they as predicted? Mention any problems and suggest improvements. |
| References | List any sources you used, such as textbooks or websites. |
标题 – 清晰说明实验内容，例如“音乐对单词回忆的影响”。
引言 – 简要背景、研究目的及假设。
方法 – 包含设计、参与者、材料和步骤等子部分。他人应能据此完全复制你的实验。
结果 – 用表格和图表呈现数据。报告平均值。此处不讨论结果的含义。
讨论 – 解释你的发现。它们符合预测吗？提及任何问题并提出改进建议。
参考文献 – 列出你使用的任何来源，如教科书或网站。
9. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | 常见错误及如何避免
One common mistake is confusing the IV and DV. Always double-check that you know which is which before collecting data.
一个常见错误是混淆 IV 和 DV。在收集数据前，务必再次确认哪个是哪个。
Another mistake is failing to control an obvious extraneous variable, such as letting one group work near a noisy window. Plan ahead to prevent this.
另一个错误是未能控制一个明显的额外变量，例如让一组在嘈杂的窗户旁工作。提前规划以预防这种情况。
Students sometimes alter their hypothesis after seeing the results. This is not allowed. Your hypothesis must be written before you collect data.
学生有时会在看到结果后更改假设。这是不允许的。假设必须在收集数据之前写好。
In the discussion, avoid saying you “proved” something. Instead, say your results “support” or “do not support” the hypothesis.
在讨论中，避免说你“证明”了什么。相反，应说你的结果“支持”或“不支持”假设。
Finally, remember to treat your participants with respect. Rushing through ethics or ignoring a participant’s wish to stop is a serious error.
最后，记住要尊重参与者。仓促对待伦理问题或忽视参与者希望停止的意愿是严重错误。
10. Top Tips for the Practical Assessment | 实验考核高分技巧
Read the assessment sheet or instructions very carefully. Make sure you know what the examiner expects in each section of the report.
非常仔细地阅读评分表或说明。确保你知道考官对报告每个部分的要求。
Practice writing a full report before the real assessment. Use a simple experiment to go through all the steps. This builds your confidence.
在正式考核前练习撰写完整报告。用一个简单的实验走完所有步骤。这能建立你的信心。
During the experiment, stay calm and organised. Have all your materials ready and your recording sheets prepared.
实验过程中，保持冷静和条理。准备好所有材料与记录表。
If something goes wrong, note it down. Honest reflection in the discussion section shows really strong evaluative skills.
如果出了什么问题，记下来。在讨论部分进行诚实反思，这能展现很强的评价能力。
Lastly, enjoy the process. Psychology practicals are a chance to be a real scientist and discover something about human behaviour.
最后，享受这个过程。心理学实践是一次成为真正科学家并发现人类行为奥秘的机会。
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