Introduction to Research Methods Topic Y11 GCSE Psychology

1. Research Methods!!
Starting Year 11
BATs
De ci de on a n d create a n A ct io n P la n fo r a
piec e of re se a rch Parents Eve
8th June!!

2. Research Methods
Psychology is now classified as a Science at GCSE
and A level!!
You will be examined in January on how well you
understand and can apply the Scientific method
in Psychology.
It counts as 20% towards your GCSE
The best way is to actually try out some research
for yourself!!

3. Research Methods
You need to be able to write about and
understand how to do ..
an experiment - lab, field or natural
A questionnaire
An interview
An observation

4. Research Methods
You need to be able to write about and
understand how to do ..
an experiment - lab, field or natural
A questionnaire In a group - or
on your own- you will
An interview do one of these and
report back to the rest
An observation of the class

5. Planning your own
research!!
First you need to choose something to investigate
Here are some ideas ..
Does loud noise affect performance in a memory test?
Do boys and girls play differently?
Does what you wear make people obey you ?
Does exercise improve your mind?
Are we naturally more scared of certain animals?
Does listening to your ipod make you remember better?

6. Planning your own
research!!
First you need to choose something to investigate
you might have
Here are some ideas ..
one of your own
Does loud noise affect performance in a memory test?
Do boys and girls play differently?
Does what you wear make people obey you ?
Does exercise improve your mind?
Are we naturally more scared of certain animals?
Does listening to your ipod make you remember better?

7. Then what?
You will create an action plan
You will make all the materials you will need e.g
consent forms, letters of permission, word lists,
results tables e.t.c
Carry out the research - collecting valid, reliable
data
Display the data - mean/mode/median, graphs
e.t.c
Conclusion and evaluation

8. Then what?
You will create an action plan
You will make all the materials you will need e.g
consent forms, letters of permission, word lists,
results tables e.t.c
Carry out the research - collecting valid, reliable
data
Display the data - mean/mode/median, graphs
e.t.c
You will have about 4-5
Conclusion and evaluation weeks to complete the research
and a week to present it!

9. Independent Learning
You can use the book to find out the processes
involved and learn about how research is done in
Psychology.
I will work with you on small groups or 1:1 to
ensure you understand each part

10. Planning
Aim
Hypothesis - alternative and null
IV and DV, control extraneous variables
Experimental Design - if doing an experiment
Sample
Start to fill in the
Ethical Issues to take into account action plan sheet
Materials

11. Homework
Write out your plan using the action plan sheet
to help you.
Think about what you will do next - be prepared
for what materials you need to make, any letter
you need to write to ask permission e.t.c
Hand in your plan on
8th June