3.2 A Level content overview and methods

A Level specialist options and assumed AS content.

• The content of the AS Level course, including research methodology, is assumed knowledge for the assessment of Paper 3 and Paper 4. The core studies will not be the direct focus of questions on Paper 3 and Paper 4 but candidates will be expected to build upon their knowledge of approaches, issues and debates and psychological research methodology during their study of the A Level specialist options. The specialist options introduced at A Level explore how psychology can be applied in a range of contexts. Candidates study how psychology is applied in two of the following areas:.
• Clinical Psychology.
• Consumer Psychology.
• Health Psychology.

This matters because a level specialist options and assumed as content determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply a level specialist options and assumed as content to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: A Level specialist options and assumed AS content is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

A Level issues and debates.

• the application of psychology to everyday life.
• individual and situational explanations.
• nature versus nurture.
• the use of children in psychological research.

This matters because a level issues and debates determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply a level issues and debates to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: A Level issues and debates is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Experiments.

• Candidates should be able to:.
• describe and evaluate the main features of randomised control trials.

This matters because randomised control trials determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply randomised control trials to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Randomised control trials is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Questionnaires.

• Candidates should be able to:.
• describe and evaluate the use of postal questionnaires.
• describe and evaluate the use of rating scales; forced/fixed choice. Methodological concepts which are relevant to all of the A Level specialist options.

This matters because postal questionnaires and rating scales determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply postal questionnaires and rating scales to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Postal questionnaires and rating scales is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Psychometric tests.

• Candidates should be able to:.
• describe and evaluate psychometric tests.

This matters because psychometric tests determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply psychometric tests to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Psychometric tests is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Hypotheses.

• Candidates should be able to:.
• write and apply knowledge of null hypotheses and alternative directional (one-tailed) and non-directional (two-tailed) hypotheses.

This matters because a level hypotheses determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply a level hypotheses to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: A Level hypotheses is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Validity.

• Candidates should be able to:.
• describe and evaluate studies based on their validity, including temporal validity.

This matters because temporal validity determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply temporal validity to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Temporal validity is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Use of studies.

• Psychology is an applied subject and teachers are encouraged to illustrate the theory and application of the concepts, theories, evidence and research through the use of studies where appropriate. There are key studies associated with each topic. We have listed the specific aspects of key studies that a candidate will be expected to know and understand. These aspects are listed at the start of each specialist option. It is not necessary for candidates to read the original study but you must provide them with a detailed summary of the key study which must cover all the aspects listed. To aid teaching and ensure candidates can see how psychological research relates to the subject content we have provided some examples of studies which might be useful to you in your teaching. Where we say, 'including a study, e.g.', candidates will not be asked questions which require a specific knowledge of these studies, however candidates should use an example in their responses. Where an example is provided, it does not necessarily cover all the relevant content and you may provide a different example if you know of one which sufficiently covers the subject content using appropriate research methodology. A full reference to all the key studies and example studies can be found in the Reference List for 9990 AS & A Level Psychology, available on the website.

This matters because use of key studies and example studies determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply use of key studies and example studies to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Use of key studies and example studies is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.