The core studies

The core theme for this unit is psychological research. It is designed to encourage
candidates to explore the nature and practice of psychological enquiry. The unit comprises
two parts: the Core Studies and Applied Research Methods.
Core Studies
The ten Core Studies cover research drawn from the main areas of Psychology. The focus for the Core Studies is for candidates to be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological research, reflecting the diversity of psychological enquiry.
Candidates will also be expected to be able to assess critically each of the Core Studies in terms of its methodology and in terms of complemetary/alternative research findings. The selection of studies will be changed in future years.
The following table illustrates how the Core Studies cover the main areas of Psychology: Social, Physiological, Cognitive, Developmental Psychology and Individual Differences. It is necessary to note, of course, that some of the Core Studies could be considered to be relevant to more than one of these areas.
For each Core Study, candidates should be able to describe:
• Aims and Context
• Procedures
• Findings and conclusions

For each core study, candidates must be able to evaluate:
• The methodology used in the core study
• The findings/conclusions in comparison with complementary/alternative research findings