How to Revise Psychology: Investigating Behaviour — WJEC A-Level Psychology
Psychology: Investigating Behaviour is a topic in the WJEC A-Level Psychology specification. This guide covers learning objectives, examiner tips, common mistakes, and key terminology to help you revise effectively.
Examiner Tips for Psychology: Investigating Behaviour
- Ensure you can construct and interpret all required graphical representations (line graphs, histograms, etc.)
- Practice applying research methods to novel scenarios provided in the exam paper
- Keep a detailed log book for your two personal investigations to aid recall of methodology and ethical considerations
- Be prepared to justify the choice of a specific statistical test based on the data type and research design
- Use the correct terminology for sampling techniques and experimental designs
Common Mistakes in Psychology: Investigating Behaviour
- Confusing directional and non-directional hypotheses
- Failure to correctly operationalise variables
- Misidentifying the appropriate level of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)
- Incorrect selection or interpretation of inferential statistical tests
- Confusing internal and external validity
- Inadequate evaluation of ethical implications in research scenarios
Key Marking Points
- Knowledge and understanding of research design (hypotheses, variables, operationalisation)
- Evaluation of various methodologies (experiments, observations, interviews, case studies, etc.)
- Application of sampling techniques and experimental designs
- Competence in descriptive and inferential statistics
- Understanding of reliability and validity, including ways to assess and improve them
- Application of ethical guidelines and management of ethical risks