How to Revise Scientific processes — AQA A-Level Psychology
Scientific processes is a topic in the AQA A-Level Psychology specification. This guide covers learning objectives, examiner tips, common mistakes, and key terminology to help you revise effectively.
Examiner Tips for Scientific processes
- Always link your answer to the specific scenario provided in the exam question
- When asked to design a study, ensure you explicitly mention how you will control for extraneous variables
- Use precise terminology when discussing reliability and validity
- Practice writing hypotheses for different research scenarios
- Be prepared to evaluate the strengths and limitations of different sampling and design methods
Common Mistakes in Scientific processes
- Confusing independent and dependent variables
- Failing to operationalise variables clearly
- Misunderstanding the difference between extraneous and confounding variables
- Incorrectly identifying when to use specific sampling techniques
- Confusing reliability with validity
- Inability to distinguish between directional and non-directional hypotheses
Key Marking Points
- Distinction between aims and hypotheses
- Directional vs non-directional hypotheses
- Sampling techniques (random, systematic, stratified, opportunity, volunteer) and their implications (bias, generalisation)
- Purpose and function of pilot studies
- Experimental designs (repeated measures, independent groups, matched pairs)
- Observational design (behavioural categories, event sampling, time sampling)