Pearson BTEC National Applied Psychology Book 1

Assessment guidance Self-review checklist Writing a big report requires organisation and planning. It is important to set yourself target dates at the outset. It is also important to write at least two dra s. First dra of your review of the research process Remember this is a dra . So you can write anything, just get thoughts on the page (see ‘Blank page syndrome’ on page 117). But do not copy anything, even at this stage (see ‘Plagiarism’ on the right). Date to complete rst dra : • In the rst white column enter the completion dates for each section of your report. • As you write each section tick when you have explained, assessed and evaluated. Date completed Explain (A.P ) Explain (A.P ) Assess (A.M ) Evaluate (A.D ) A1 Principles of research Introducing research and the scienti c process Informing and improving practice Types of research process A2 Key terms used in research Starting research Hypotheses and a literature review Sampling techniques Reliability and validity A3 Research process Ethical considerations Conducting research References compiled Second dra The next step is to revise your rst document. Below is a checklist of things to consider. Date to complete second dra : Date completed I have checked that I have covered each of the seven marking factors (grey column) in the table on the facing page. I have gone through and deleted any irrelevant material. I have checked that every point has evidence to back it up. I have identi ed long sentences and rephrased them. I have checked that each paragraph deals with one idea. I have corrected any spelling mistakes. I have checked that each paragraph makes reference to the scenario/ context. Final dra Read through your completed second dra to polish the report. Date to complete nal dra : Learning aim A You are required to produce a maximum of three reports for Unit 2 which means combining at least two of the four learning aims. It is suggested the report for learning aim A is separate but you can combine it if you wish with learning aim B. No learning aim can be subdivided. The report can be written or presented as a poster, PowerPoint or in another form. This report can only be completed after you have studied the content of learning aim A as it is a synoptic assessment – see facing page for an explanation. Learning aim A assessment Assessment information Your nal report will be awarded a Distinction (D), Merit (M), Pass (P), Near Pass (N) or Unclassi ed (U). Marking factors The speci cation also provides information that an assessor will take into consideration when marking your assignment. Marking factors Pass Merit Distinction Reasons for conducting psychological inquiry … … mostly accurate. … detailed. … fully-focused evaluation. Personal and professional skills required are … … included. … discussed. … justi ed. Key terms … … some. … wide range. … comprehensive range. Understanding of research process is … … included. … clear. … sound. Learners’ re ections on their own research skills … … included. … good evidence. Examples … … may not be clear. … linked logically. … linked logically. Report is ... … mainly descriptive and focused on personal views. … well- structured and clear. … well-structured and coherent, evidence of original thought. The speci cation provides criteria for each level as shown below. Pass Merit Distinction A.P EXPLAIN the principles for conducting psychological research. A.P EXPLAIN the research process and key terms used when undertaking psychological enquiry. A.M ASSESS the principles and processes involved when undertaking psychological inquiry. A.D EVALUATE the importance of conducting research and the research process in psychological enquiry. Recommended assessment approach Assignment briefs The board supplies suggested assessment briefs which you can use – see Unit 2 Authorised assignment brief for Learning aim A and B Conducting psychological research . Your centre can also devise their own assessment brief which should have a vocational scenario/context and a series of tasks to complete. You are required to write a report discussing the importance of research in informing and improving practice and provision, detailing the way in which research is organised and giving an evaluation of different research methods and their usefulness in answering speci c questions. The Delivery Guide for Unit 2 identi es the three key elements: • The importance of psychological research. • How research can help improve practice and provisions in vocational settings. • Critical evaluation of a number of different research methods. Vocational scenario The task (from Unit 2 A Assignment Brief) The Delivery Guide for Unit 2 suggests that a scenario could be based around a case study such as a hospital, care centre or other health provider looking to nance research about the link between health and illness. Your report should justify the research, as well as detailing how you would go about answering the research question. You need to produce a detailed report that evaluates the importance of conducting research and the research process involved in psychological inquiries. Your report must also assess and explain the principles and processes involved when undertaking a psychological inquiry. Your report should include the following: • An explanation of the principles involved for conducting psychological research. • An explanation of the type of research processes that are conducted. • An assessment of the principles and processes and conventions in reporting research. • An evaluation of the importance of the scienti c inquiry. Synoptic assessment This assessment is synoptic. Synoptic refers to the ability to provide an overview of many different strands of information. In your assessment you must demonstrate that you can identify and use effectively, in an integrated way, an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories and knowledge from across the whole sector as relevant to this task. Referencing If you cite any research study or source (such as a website) you need to include this in a list of references at the end of your report. This list should be in alphabetical order. The conventions for referencing are described on page 128. Command terms for learning aim A The assessment criteria for learning aim A (bottom le of facing page) use the command terms EXPLAIN, ASSESS and EVALUATE. These are de ned on page 117. Essential advice Learners may not make repeated submissions of assignment evidence. You may be offered a single retake opportunity using a new assignment. The retake may only be achieved at a Pass. Under some conditions, and at your centre’s discretion, you may be allowed to resubmit your original work in an improved form and will be given 15 days to do so. Plagiarism Plagiarism means to use someone else’s work without crediting the source. It means to steal and pass off the words (or ideas) of another as one’s own. All the work submitted as your internal assessments must be your own. We are lucky to have the internet at our ngertips when writing this book and we o en cut and paste content into our notes – and it is very easy to forget we have done this. However, we know this can be easily checked and if we were found to have committed plagiarism in our book we would be accused of committing a crime and could be ned or receive a prison sentence for plagiarising someone else’s work. The same is true for you – it is tempting to use something written on a website or in this book and feel ‘I can’t say it as well as this’ and therefore copy it exactly. You cannot do that unless the sentence is in quotes and attributed to the author. We take great care to ensure that all of our sentences are our own. You must do the same or you will be disquali ed from this exam. 100 101 Unit 2: Conducting psychological research