Lesson Plan

• Describe the four primary reasons psychologists conduct research (description, explanation, prediction, control).
• Explain how each core study illustrates a specific research purpose.
• Analyse the stages of the research cycle using examples from the core studies.
• Evaluate methodological strengths and limitations of the presented studies.
• Apply knowledge by classifying new scenarios according to research purposes.

• Projector and screen
• PowerPoint slides summarising the core studies
• Printed handout of the study table
• Student worksheets for group activity
• Whiteboard and markers
• Exit‑ticket slips

Begin with a brief video clip of Milgram’s obedience experiment to spark curiosity about why psychologists study behaviour. Ask students to brainstorm reasons they think researchers investigate human actions, linking their ideas to prior knowledge of the scientific method. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to identify research purposes and map core studies onto the research cycle.

1. Do‑now (5’) – Quick write: “Why do psychologists conduct research?” Collect responses.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Present the four research purposes and give an overview of the six core studies using slides.
3. Group activity (15’) – Each group receives a study card; they complete a worksheet identifying the aim, method, key finding, and the research purpose it exemplifies.
4. Whole‑class share (10’) – Groups present their findings; teacher highlights connections to the research cycle.
5. Guided analysis (10’) – Teacher walks through the research cycle, mapping each study to the relevant stage.
6. Quick quiz (5’) – Kahoot/short paper quiz on matching studies to purposes.
7. Exit ticket (5’) – Students write one way a studied finding could be applied to improve real‑world outcomes.

Summarise how the core studies demonstrate why psychological research is undertaken and reinforce the link between study aims and the research cycle. Collect exit tickets as a retrieval check. For homework, ask students to locate a contemporary psychology study and write a brief paragraph explaining which research purpose it serves and how it could inform practice.