What Do Social Scientists Do? Psychology
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) resource looks at psychology as a career option. It begins by defining psychology as the study of the human mind, brain and behaviour. The resource then gives information about career possibilities and gives examples of sectors where psychology graduates are welcomed. Psychology provides…
Case Study: the Family, Continuity and Change
This resource presents a case study showing how one project used qualitative and quantitative methods of research to discover how much families have changed over the decades since the 1960s. The case study shows how ethnographic research, studying people in their own environment, is conducted. Data gathered highlights changes…
Ethics: Participants' Interests, Confidentiality and Consent
This resource looks at research ethics and the importance of confidentiality in research projects. Researchers must be aware of ethical issues and the effects that their research can have on research participants. The information sheet raises questions that can be debated in classroom lessons and encourages young people to give…
Social Research: How Does It Work? What Is Research For?
This resource looks at what social researchers do and why they do it. Research is recognised as vital for expanding our knowledge, providing vital information for government and other agencies, as well as helping us to understand our own society and those societies which are beyond our own experience. This information sheet concentrates…
What Makes Good Research?
This resource explains how important it is that social research is conducted in a scientific way, following definite rules that have been developed over time with the aim of ensuring that the results are not just the product of the researcher’s own beliefs. The paper stresses the importance of research being valid, reliable…
The Power of Positive Thinking
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) school briefing discusses how people who think positively are more likely to have good forward-planning skills, have more friends and earn more. Research has found that positive future-thinking leads to wellbeing but is greatly affected by psychological factors and mental health.…
Why Volunteering is Good For You - and Questions to Think About
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) school briefing looks at the effects of volunteering on the community and also on the volunteer. Research has shown that people who volunteer enjoy a better quality of life and better health as well as improving conditions in their communities. The briefing includes a set of questions…
What Do Social Scientists Do? Sociology
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) resource gives information about careers related to sociology. It starts with a definition, explaining the ways in which sociologists study the effects of social issues and the way society is organised. The resource then lists career possibilities for sociologists using their analytical…
The Science of Social Interaction
The Science of Social Interaction document is a one-page summary of some recent Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) research into the area of human interaction. As our society becomes ever more interconnected, with each person experiencing hundreds of social encounters every day, the way we communicate is very important.…
SCISP Teachers’ Guide 4: Interactions and Change
In the Schools Council Integrated Science Project (SCISP) course, the explanations of change used the concept of interaction under these headings: • Recognising change • A close look at a number of different changes • Stability Contents 1. Recognising change 2. Changes in behaviour 3. Changes in acidity 4.…
Fat is Not a Four-letter Word
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) school briefing looks at how obesity is viewed by the general public and how the war on obesity could lead to discrimination on the grounds of a person's size and intolerance towards the over-weight. The briefing examines the possibly doubtful science that can colour opinions…
Do Models Need to Be Thin to Sell Moisturiser?
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) school briefing looks at the effectiveness of advertising and whether it really is necessary for advertisers to use very thin models to sell their products. Counter to this view, research shows that women are just as likely to buy a product if the model is of average size. The…
Changes in Behaviour
Work done in this Nuffield 13 - 16 module followed from the B unit called ‘Senses’. This X unit provided enough material for eight double periods. It could be selected to complete either a Science or a Further Science course. The teachers’ guide included three worksheets to supplement the students’ booklet.…
Why Girls Can't Say No to Cigarettes
This briefing, produced by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), looks at a study which shows that girls are twice as likely as boys to smoke. Researchers looked into the peer pressure put upon young people to smoke, comparing the pressures on girls and boys. They give recommendations for anti-smoking campaigns that would…
5/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Information sheet
The Chemical Brothers and Sisters Come of Age
This briefing, from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), looks at the widespread use of recreational drugs by young people and the implications for law policies and enforcement. Researchers gathered some frightening statistics concerning the numbers of young people who have tried and are using drugs, often at the same…
A-Level Criteria Science Subjects 2006
This set of subject criteria were produced by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in 2006 for Awarding Bodies to produce AS and A level science subject specifications, in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, geology, electronics and environmental science. AS and A level subject criteria are intended to set out the…
Supporting Male Learners Using Technology
Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the themes of harnessing technology and, equality and diversity. From Sussex Downs College, the study describes how research into engaging male learners was used to investigate why more males than females achieved below their minimum expected grade.…
This Sporting Life - and Questions to Think About
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) school briefing looks at how middle class people take the need to exercise more personally than others. Although the need for exercise is generally recognised, research shows that more highly educated people are more likely to participate in regular exercise. The briefing explains…
What Is Healthy? What Is Beautiful?
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) school briefing discusses fat as a class issue, as well as a feminist issue. Research shows that middle class families are more likely to be health-conscious eaters, and chances are the shops in their neighbourhoods offer a wider range of healthy food. The resource looks at the facts…
Ageing
This opinion piece was written by an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded researcher to provoke debate and discussion about the issue of ageing. The piece was written for the Debating Matters competition, which the ESRC sponsors, and discusses vital questions about whether extending the human lifespan should be welcomed…
SCISP Topic Book: Human Groups
This Schools Council Integrated Science Project (SCISP) topic book was written to accompany the fourth of the SCISP students’ manuals. Contents • The study of groups • The ecology of groups • Integrated science and social science
Addiction: Teenage Kicks - the Debate Rages on
This school briefing, from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), gives the facts about drink, drugs and alcohol addiction amongst teenagers and young people. Despite, media stories about famous people struggling with their addictions, drug use, smoking and drinking is increasing and death rates are rising. The briefing…
Happiness: The Greatest Gift We Possess?
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) school briefing looks at whether we have a right to be happy, alongside the rights to life and liberty. The briefing discusses definitions of happiness and how religions and young people seek to attain it. The briefing then looks at how different governments across the world are measuring…
The Economics of Happiness
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) school briefing looks at the effects happiness and wellbeing have on the economy. A study by Professor Andrew Oswald looked at the human impact of economic downturns and demonstrated that the true cost of a recession is much wider than just financial. This leads to findings that strong…
SCISP Topic Book: Human Behaviour
This Schools Council Integrated Science Project (SCISP) topic book was written to accompany the fourth of the SCISP students’ manuals. Contents • Man and computer • The start of life • The influence of the family and other people • The senses • Keeping fit • Motivation • Advertising
Alcohol: the Spirit of Friendship
This resource, from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), looks at worrying studies into young people's drinking habits. Studies have looked at how and why excessive drinking has become a normal part of life for many young people and the psychological pressures put upon people to drink alcohol, especially on young…
Psychology - Correlation Study
From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI), this activity for post-16 students shows that correlation can be used to measure the strength of a linear relationship. Statistical Inference looks for evidence of what is happening in the population by looking at a sample.…
A Level Performance Descriptors Science Subjects 2003
Produced in 2003, these performance descriptors for chemistry science subjects at AS and A2 levels were written to indicate the level of attainment characteristic of grades A/B and E/U boundary candidates across a series of assessment objectives. It was intended that they should be interpreted in relation to the content outlined…
Performing Under Pressure
This resource looks at how people create strategies to help them cope with pressure and stressful situations such as performing in front of others or taking examinations. Psychologists have looked at how sportsmen and women cope with pressure to see if the strategies they use would also work for ordinary people. As an experiment,…
Neuroscience and the Law
Produced by Debating Matters, this topic guide puts the neuroscience and the law debate in context, providing information, a reading list and weblinks. The resource encourages students to debate issues such as: • Diminishing responsibility • The limits of neuroscience • A question of free will • 'Neuroscience…