The aim of the study by Lovell et al. (2006) was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), delivered face-to-face or by telephone.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Marks: 1 mark for basic answer, e.g. identification, 1 mark for elaboration/example.
2. Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited): Quote from study: The clinical outcome of cognitive behaviour therapy delivered by telephone was equivalent to treatment delivered face to face and similar levels of satisfaction were reported.
3. Marks: 1 mark for 'how' and 1 mark for 'why'; 1 further mark for each for elaboration/example (e.g. use of Y-BOCS (OCD)).
4. Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited): ∞ Quote from study: To establish baseline data we assessed patients twice, with four weeks in between, before randomisation to treatment groups. Researchers blinded to treatment allocation assessed patients at both of the baseline visits, the initial visit after treatment, and at one, three, and six months of follow-up.
5. ∞ Baseline data is gathered to allow a comparison with test data (the results) to determine whether the intervention has been successful.
6. Marks: 1 mark basic difference, 2 marks detailed answer/elaboration, × 2
7. Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited): Face to face therapy ∞ with the therapist on an individual basis. ∞ 10 one hour sessions ∞ No homework ∞ Practise with therapist ∞ Therapist can see non-verbal communication ∞ Travel to clinic/alien environment
8. Telephone therapy ∞ one face-to-face session with the therapist that covered the same material as the first session of the face-to-face, followed by eight scheduled weekly telephone calls of up to 30 minutes in length. ∞ Treatment was delivered in a shorter period of time ∞ the therapist sent homework sheets to the patient. ∞ Practise at home ∞ No non-verbal communication ∞ No travel/home environment
9. Marks: Question requires discussion; always plural of each argument, and always requires conclusion. 1 mark for each advantage/disadvantage up to 4 max. 1 mark for conclusion.
10. Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited): Strengths: ∞ no travelling time to see the therapist ∞ takes less time – 30 mins on phone. ∞ Person at home is more comfortable being in their familiar environment; is less stressful than in an office.
11. Weaknesses: ∞ no non-verbal communication ∞ therapist can't review materials (such as homework diary) ∞ therapist can't control the environment such as no distractions in an office, but may be lots at home.
12. Conclusion: any appropriate conclusion drawn from the discussion that has been presented.