Research methods exam tips

Exam tips

• Scientific processes Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to explain the experimental method, including laboratory, field, natural and quasi-experiments..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.

• Scientific processes Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to explain observational techniques, including naturalistic, controlled, covert, overt, participant and non-participant observation..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.

• Scientific processes Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to explain self-report techniques, including questionnaires and structured or unstructured interviews..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.

• Scientific processes Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to explain correlations and distinguish correlations from experiments..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.

• Scientific processes Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to explain content analysis and case studies as research methods..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.

• Scientific processes Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to distinguish aims from hypotheses and directional from non-directional hypotheses..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.

• Scientific processes Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to explain sampling methods, including random, systematic, stratified, opportunity and volunteer sampling, and their implications for bias and generalisation..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.

• Scientific processes Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to explain experimental design, observational design, questionnaire construction, interview design, pilot studies, control, standardisation, ethical issues, reliability and validity..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.

• Scientific processes Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to explain features of science, including objectivity, replication, theory construction, hypothesis testing, peer review and the implications of psychological research for the economy..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.

• Data handling and analysis Psychology exam tip 1

  Separate AO1 description from AO3 evaluation before writing the answer. Apply this to distinguish quantitative and qualitative data and their collection techniques..

  This keeps the answer specific to AQA Psychology and prevents unsupported opinion or study-name dumping.