Sampling, Methods and Designs
Choose samples, qualitative or quantitative methods, and experimental designs to fit the research objective.
How to study for GCSE Psychology
Confirm the exact board route, connect theories to prescribed studies, apply mechanisms to unfamiliar contexts, evaluate evidence and practise the current paper design.
Core concepts
Concept 1
population and sampling
Exam cue: Match the target population, sampling method, laboratory/field/natural experiment, interview, questionnaire, correlation, case study or observation to the objective.
Concept 2
research methods
Exam cue: Evaluate representativeness, control, realism, demand characteristics, researcher effects and data richness as design-specific trade-offs.
Concept 3
experimental designs
Exam cue: Know independent-groups and repeated-measures designs at the DfE minimum, plus any extra sampling or design detail prescribed by the current board.
Targeted study blocks
Common psychology core
Build the transferable conceptual model
Match the target population, sampling method, laboratory/field/natural experiment, interview, questionnaire, correlation, case study or observation to the objective.
Evidence and application
Connect claims to method, findings and context
Evaluate representativeness, control, realism, demand characteristics, researcher effects and data richness as design-specific trade-offs.
Current-route boundary
Apply only the live specification detail
Know independent-groups and repeated-measures designs at the DfE minimum, plus any extra sampling or design detail prescribed by the current board.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Calling a method best without tying its strength to the stated research aim.
Guardrail: Do not mix board routes, treat one study as proof, diagnose a person or append evaluation that does not change the answer to the question.
Describing a theory or study without applying, analysing or evaluating it when the command requires more.
Guardrail: Do not mix board routes, treat one study as proof, diagnose a person or append evaluation that does not change the answer to the question.
Importing a named theory, core study, diagnosis rule or paper convention from another specification.
Guardrail: Do not mix board routes, treat one study as proof, diagnose a person or append evaluation that does not change the answer to the question.
Memory anchors
Target population
The wider group to which the research question and intended inference apply.
Independent-groups design
Different participants take part in each condition.
Repeated-measures design
The same participants take part in every condition.
Sampling, Methods and Designs: evidence check
Evaluate representativeness, control, realism, demand characteristics, researcher effects and data richness as design-specific trade-offs.
Sampling, Methods and Designs: route check
Know independent-groups and repeated-measures designs at the DfE minimum, plus any extra sampling or design detail prescribed by the current board.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Which recruitment rule defines an opportunity sample?
What is volunteer sampling?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
What is Pass Harbor?
Completely free exam prep for 247 UK exams.
- Practice questions
- Flashcards
- Study guides
- Mock exams
- No registration
- No paywall
- Start instantly
“No more expensive exam prep. Quality study tools should be accessible to everyone.”