AQA A-Level Economics: Economic Methodology Lesson

AQA A-level Economics lesson on economic methodology, including social science, hypotheses, ceteris paribus and positive and normative statements.

This is a complete 60-minute lesson exploring the enquiry question: How can economists investigate a world they cannot control like a laboratory? It begins with a retrieval Connect based on a bridge-building challenge before guided questioning leads students to the difficulties of establishing cause and effect in economics. Students then develop the ideas of hypotheses, falsification and ceteris paribus, distinguish positive from normative statements, apply the methodology independently to a university tuition scenario and finish with a misconception-focused plenary.

Students learn how to:

• explain why economics is a social science;
• explain how economists use hypotheses and evidence;
• understand the purpose of falsification;
• explain why economists use the ceteris paribus assumption;
• distinguish positive and normative statements;
• explain how value judgements can lead economists to different conclusions.

The lesson uses guided discovery throughout. Students begin by considering why different outcomes in a bridge challenge do not automatically prove cause and effect, before applying the same problem to a National Minimum Wage example. An electric vehicle scenario is then used to reveal the need for ceteris paribus, while a statement-sorting activity helps students uncover the distinction between positive and normative economics. An NHS spending example develops the role of value judgements before students independently apply the full methodology to university tuition.

The accompanying teacher guide follows the PowerPoint slide-by-slide with timings, exact teacher questions, expected responses and misconception prompts.

This is the first lesson in the sequence and leads directly into The Economic Problem.