Planning and Conducting Research

    OCR
    GCSE

    The systematic application of the scientific method to investigate human behaviour and mental processes. This study area encompasses the entire research cycle: from the formulation of operationalised hypotheses and the selection of appropriate methodologies (experimental, observational, correlational) to the rigorous analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. Candidates must demonstrate mastery of the trade-offs between internal control and ecological validity, while strictly adhering to ethical frameworks defined by bodies such as the BPS. Success requires the ability to critique research designs for threats to validity (e.g., demand characteristics, investigator effects) and to justify statistical choices based on data levels and distribution.

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    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    4
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Credit clear operationalization of the Independent Variable (IV) and Dependent Variable (DV) within 'Design a study' responses
    • Award marks for explicit links between the chosen sampling method and the specific target population described in the source material
    • Candidates must cite specific BPS ethical guidelines (e.g., informed consent, protection from harm) and propose concrete, scenario-relevant solutions
    • Credit evaluation that distinguishes effectively between internal validity (control of extraneous variables) and ecological validity (real-world application)

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have identified the correct experimental design; now justify why this is superior to alternative designs for this specific scenario"
    • "Your hypothesis is present but lacks full operationalization; ensure both conditions of the IV and the specific measurement of the DV are clear"
    • "Ethical issues are mentioned, but you must explain how you would deal with them (e.g., how exactly will you obtain consent?)"
    • "When evaluating, avoid generic phrases like 'more valid'; specify whether you mean ecological validity or internal validity and why"

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Credit clear operationalization of the Independent Variable (IV) and Dependent Variable (DV) within 'Design a study' responses
    • Award marks for explicit links between the chosen sampling method and the specific target population described in the source material
    • Candidates must cite specific BPS ethical guidelines (e.g., informed consent, protection from harm) and propose concrete, scenario-relevant solutions
    • Credit evaluation that distinguishes effectively between internal validity (control of extraneous variables) and ecological validity (real-world application)

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡When designing a study, explicitly state the experimental design (e.g., repeated measures) and justify it regarding the control of participant variables
    • 💡Allocate 15-20 minutes for the 13-mark 'Design a study' question to ensure all required features (hypothesis, method, ethics, analysis) are covered
    • 💡Distinguish clearly between qualitative data (descriptive) and quantitative data (numerical) when evaluating data collection methods
    • 💡Use the 'Who, What, Where, How' framework to ensure the procedure section of a design question is sufficiently detailed to be replicable

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing 'random sampling' (selection from population) with 'random allocation' (assignment to conditions)
    • Failing to contextualize the debriefing process, providing a generic definition instead of a scenario-specific script
    • Describing the procedure for an experiment when the command word or scenario dictates a correlation or naturalistic observation

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Calculate
    Evaluate
    Design

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    Practice questions tailored to this topic