Active learning ideas
Sampling and ethics are the 'rules of engagement' for psychologists. Students learn how to select participants using techniques like random, opportunity, and systematic sampling, evaluating the bias and generalisability of each. They also study the British Psychological Society (BPS) ethical guidelines, focusing on informed consent, deception, protection from harm, and debriefing.
Activity 01
The teacher wants to know the class's favourite film. Students must try to get an answer using different sampling methods: opportunity (just the front row), random (names out of a hat), and systematic (every 3rd person). They then compare how 'representative' each result is.
How do researchers select a representative sample?
Activity 02
Students are given a controversial study proposal (e.g., a new version of the Milgram study). One group acts as the researchers defending the study, while the other acts as the BPS Ethics Committee, using the guidelines to decide if it can go ahead.
What are the BPS ethical guidelines?
Activity 03
Students are given a scenario where participants were slightly deceived (e.g., told it was a memory test when it was actually about conformity). In pairs, they must write a 'debriefing script' that follows all BPS guidelines.
Why is deception sometimes used in research?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Opportunity sampling is the best because it's the easiest.
While easy, it is often the most biased because it only includes people who happen to be available. A 'sampling bias' activity where students see how the front row differs from the back row helps them understand why random sampling is usually preferred.
Deception is never allowed in psychology.
Deception is sometimes necessary to avoid 'demand characteristics', but it must be justified and followed by a full debrief. A structured debate on 'the right to know' vs 'the need for science' helps students see the nuance in ethical decisions.
Methods used in this brief
Experimental Design and Hypotheses
Students learn how to formulate testable hypotheses and design psychological experiments. They will distinguish between independent, dependent, and extraneous variables.
8 methodologies
Data Handling and Analysis
Students develop skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including calculating measures of central tendency and interpreting graphs. They will learn to draw conclusions from raw data.
8 methodologies