Topic title: Research Methods
Year group: Year 13
When taught: Term 6
What are we learning?
- The different research methods
- Case studies.
- How to design studies
- Features of science: objectivity and the empirical method; replicability and falsifiability; theory construction and hypothesis testing; paradigms and paradigm shifts.
- Reporting psychological investigations. Sections of a scientific report: abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion and referencing.
- How to analyse data
- Content analysis and coding. Thematic analysis
- Probability and significance: use of statistical tables and critical values in interpretation of significance; Type I and Type II errors.
- Factors affecting the choice of statistical test, including level of measurement and experimental design.
- When to use the following tests: Spearman’s rho, Pearson’s r, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, related t-test, unrelated t-test and Chi-Squared test.
Why is this important to know?
- Research methods is key to psychology. If they want to become a psychologist they will need to know how to carry out investigations.
- A strong understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods enables them to evaluate the research they come across in other units.
- Research methods makes up approx. 25% of their exam content so it is an important unit to know well.
Where does this link into our past and future learning?
- The students should have a good understanding of research methods from the AS Topic. This unit builds on this knowledge further. E.g. covering addiction statistical tests.
- They will need this content when we discuss research in any other topic throughout the course as they will need to use it to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the methodologies used in these studies.
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- Students will sit a formal exam on this topic in the summer. This section makes up 48 marks and 60 minutes of Paper 2 at A Level.
- They will be asked questions varying in size from multiple choice up to 6 markers at AS Level and 12 mark design a study questions (A Level only).
- There will also be mid topic and end of topic tests on the unit when we study it.
- Students will also have recap tests / questioning / exam questions on this topic during most lessons.
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
- Linking their answers to the context of the scenario they are given in the exam.
- A detailed description of the content.
- Sustained evaluation that is fully ‘PEEEL’ed.
- Using correctly key terminology (see below and topic Glossary)
What key words are there in this topic?
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Design, carry out and write up your own investigation.
- There is an extension challenge set for this unit. This consists of 4 interesting tasks such as videos to watch, podcasts to listen to, articles to read and online courses to complete with a feedback task at the end. Please see your subject teacher to access this sheet.
What wider reading can be done on this topic?
- There are several Psychology Review Magazine articles relevant to this topic that you can read to extend your knowledge.
- You could read some psychology journal articles and practise identifying and evaluating the different research methods used.
- Ben Goldacre: Bad Science
