Kroenke et al. (2008): The PHQ-8 as a Measure of Depression

This lesson plan contains a worksheet, answer sheet, a research summary and a PowerPoint and is effective for several reasons:
Clear Structure and Objectives: It starts with clearly defined objectives, helping students understand what they are expected to learn by the end of the session. This keeps the lesson focused and purposeful.
Balanced Content Delivery: The plan divides the content into manageable segments covering the aims, procedures, findings, conclusions, strengths, and weaknesses of the study. This organized flow helps students process each part of the research without feeling overwhelmed.
Interactive and Student-Centered: By including a group discussion and comprehension activity, the plan engages students actively, moving beyond passive listening. This approach enhances critical thinking and gives students a chance to voice their ideas and ask questions, which is important for deeper learning.
Application to Real-World Relevance: The lesson emphasizes how depression is measured in real-life settings and the importance of reliable tools like the PHQ-8. This practical context makes the material more relatable and shows the application of psychology outside the classroom.
Focus on Evaluation Skills: For A-level students, the lesson includes evaluation of strengths and weaknesses of the PHQ-8, which is a key skill in psychology. It encourages students to think critically about research methods and the limitations of self-report measures.
Opportunity for Reflection and Q&A: The lesson ends with a wrap-up and Q&A, giving students a chance to clarify misunderstandings and reflect on what they have learned, reinforcing their understanding of the material.
Optional Homework for Deeper Learning: The suggested homework task allows interested students to engage more deeply with the material, reinforcing their understanding and giving them practice in writing evaluative answers.
Overall, this lesson plan effectively combines structured learning with interaction and critical thinking, which are all essential for A-level students learning psychology.