When the time signature changes...

[bob3.1415926]

I've been having a go at the start of Prokofiev Piano Sonata No.9 recently, and I've got what is probably a really dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway.

The time signature often changes between 3/2 and 4/4.

Because there is no change in tempo marked, I assume that the beat stays the same, however, it shifts from crotchet beats to minim beats (or vice versa).

Does the crotchet beat stay the same, and hence the actual beat half/double? Or does the beat stay the same so crotchet beats half/double?

I don't own a recording, and I'm currently without an income, so have had to put lessons on hold 

[leonidas]

Prick was being annoying, he meant 6/4.

[mcgillcomposer]

Prick was being annoying, he meant 6/4.

HAHA!

[pianochick93]

Prick was being annoying, he meant 6/4.

Well that's...nice...

Charming language...

[ilikepie]

HAHA!

LOL

[dan101]

Hi there. It sounds like you should play the quarter (crotchet) beat the same speed in all the bars that you are concerned with (I do not currently have a score in front of me to double check). By the way, 3/2 time is not 6/4 time, as was stated by one of our fellow pianists. One is simple time and one is compound time. Good luck with the sonata! 

[bob3.1415926]

A serious answer!! Huzzah! 
Thank you very much. That's what I had been doing. It just suddenly occured to me that could be wrong.
I'd forgotten that notes values are called sensible names outside the UK. To think, you miss out on the joy of hemi-demi-semi-quavers!!!