Cambridge Syllabus Notes

Core Studies in Psychology – AS Level

What are Core Studies?

Core studies are the methods psychologists use to investigate how people think, feel, and behave. Think of them as the “toolbox” that lets scientists turn curiosity into evidence. 📚

Key Research Methods

Experiments: Manipulate one variable (the independent variable) to see its effect on another (the dependent variable). Example: Giving participants caffeine vs. placebo and measuring reaction time.
Observational Studies: Watch and record behaviour without interference. Like a wildlife biologist watching birds in their natural habitat. 🐦
Case Studies: In-depth look at one person or a small group. Think of a detective examining a single crime scene.
Surveys & Questionnaires: Ask many people about their thoughts or feelings. Similar to a poll on a news website.
Correlational Studies: Look for relationships between variables, but don’t prove cause. Like noticing that people who eat more ice cream tend to have higher temperatures in summer.

Ethics in Psychology

Informed Consent: Participants must know what they’re doing and agree freely. Think of a “sign‑up sheet” before a science fair.
Confidentiality: Keep personal data private. Like a diary that only you can read.
Debriefing: Explain the study after participation, especially if deception was used.
Minimise Harm: Avoid physical or emotional distress. Picture a safety net for a circus performer.

Analogies & Everyday Examples

Experiment = Cooking a new recipe: you change one ingredient (IV) and taste the result (DV).
Observation = Watching a soccer match from the sidelines, noting how players move.
Survey = A school poll about favourite subjects.
Correlation = Noticing that people who study more often score higher, but you can’t say studying causes higher scores.

Exam Tips & Quick Reference

Method	Key Feature	Exam Question Cue
Experiment	Control & randomisation	“Describe how you would set up an experiment to test…”
Observation	Naturalistic vs. laboratory	“Explain the advantages of naturalistic observation.”
Survey	Sampling & bias	“What are the limitations of using a survey to study…?”
Correlation	Correlation coefficient $r$	“Interpret the meaning of $r = 0.65$ in this study.”

Remember: In the exam, clearly state the method, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and link to the research question. Use the colour‑coded boxes above to organise your answer quickly. Good luck! 🍀

Core studies develop understanding of how psychologists study experiences and behaviours