Practical work in the post-coursework era

Matt JarvisMatt JarvisKeele University & Totton College

Why bother?Why bother?

Pragmatically:

It is a QCA requirement

Therefore Ofsted will check

'Due to the potential age of A level candidates and the possible nature of investigative activities in psychology, candidates will not be expected to demonstrate the skills of investigation through internal assessment.... It is expected, however, that candidates should still carry out investigative activities appropriate for the study of psychology at this level' (QC[D]A, 2006; p18).

It is impossible to really understand a research- based discipline without conducting research

Practical skills are transferable and useful in HE

Without the pressure of writing up for coursework, practicals should be fun!

There are idealistic reasons too!There are idealistic reasons too!

Some modern studies are Some modern studies are great for replicationgreat for replication

Parasocial attachment to Harry Potter (Cohen, 2004)Parasocial attachment to Harry Potter (Cohen, 2004)

This is an opportunity to:

Capture student interest

Introduce a modern research direction

Do practical work in a notoriously difficult area of the spec

Practice creative thinking (design scales of Potter-death anxiety and Potter attachment type)

And another one:And another one:

Normative influence and prejudice (Crandall et al, 2002)

This is an opportunity to:

• Capture student interest

• Introduce a modern research direction

• Carry out an ethically acceptable conformity practical

• Practice creative thinking (design measures of prejudice & social acceptability of prejudice)

• Link to research methods (correlations)

• Use ICT in an interesting manner

Remember ethical issuesRemember ethical issues

Practical work is an opportunity to bring ethics to life.

Practical work should be ethical for obvious reasons

Students can serve as ethics committees

Looking at proposed research gives rise to good debate

This is especially true when A-level students serve as participants for academic research evaluate studies already passed by ethics committees……….

Ethics aren't a luxury!Ethics aren't a luxury!

Legal issuesLegal issues

Mental Capacity Act Human Rights Act

Data Protection Act

Disclaimer: always seek legal advice from someone qualified

Linking class practicals to Linking class practicals to research methods teachingresearch methods teaching

Stats makes far more sense and is far more interesting when it helps you understand your data

It is quick and easy to analyse data on-line

A demo of a quickA demo of a quick practicalpractical

Predatory paedophiles

People with sensory impairments

Call centre sales staff

Estate Agents

Librarians

Male nurses

Recreational murderers

People with mental health problems

On a scale of 0-10 how socially acceptable is On a scale of 0-10 how socially acceptable is prejudice against each of the following:prejudice against each of the following:

Demo part IIDemo part II

On a scale of 0-10 how much prejudice do you feel towards each of the following?

Predatory paedophiles

People with sensory impairments

Call centre sales staff

Estate Agents

Librarians

Male nurses

Recreational murderers

People with mental health problems

Analysis on-lineAnalysis on-line

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/topic_t_5.html