The Experimental Method & Aims
Teachers or students who want the original PPT or resources referred to please tweet @psychopepper
- To KNOW and UNDERSTAND what the definition of the experimental method is in Psychology.
- To KNOW and UNDERSTAND what the definition of a research aim is.
- To APPLY knowledge of aims to past exam questions
- To CREATE a grass-head for use throughout the research methods booklet.
- Using the words from the cue card try to develop a definition of “The Experimental Method”.
- Take notes on the definition of Experimental Method
- Take notes on the definition of Research Aims
- Answer two past exam questions on the identification of aims from the booklet.
- Make your grassheads!
The Experimental Method: There are (very) broadly two ways that psychologists study the phenomena they are interested in. These are experimental methods, and non-experimental methods. The Experimental Method refers to any studies in which there is a variable manipulated by the experimenter, or that has changed naturally that we believe has caused changes to another variable.
Research Aims: These are statements made at the beginning of psychological research which outlines the purpose the study and both what the psychologist intends to study and what they wish to find out. These are often phrased as “The aim of the following research is to…”
If you would like to access PsychoPepper’s Glossary of Terms please click here
Textbooks or extra reading:
I would suggest that you have a copy of one of the textbooks which will allow you to read around the subject matter, pre-read ahead of lessons or even take extra notes/practise questions afterwards. I would recommend the following (you do not need to replicate books, one of each type is plenty!)
- Psychology for A Level:
- Complete Companion Series: