'Using observation to measure pain will never be as accurate as a self-report.' To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer.

Mark scheme

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

1. Marks: use generic levels of response in table C.
2. Syllabus: measuring pain: behavioural/observational measures (UAB pain behavior scale).
3. Most likely (any other appropriate responses should be credited): For observation: ∞ the patient does not know he or she is being observed, so pain behaviour is natural.
4. ∞ The patient will exhibit typical pain behaviours: ambulation of posture, distorted facial expression, etc.
5. ∞ The observer can use response categories and record quantitative data.
6. ∞ Inter-rater reliability can be tested to determine the extent of reliability of the observations.
7. ∞ Vague descriptions of pain are eliminated 'it hurts a lot'.
8. Against: ∞ The patient plays no part in recording his or her pain, no record of the experience of the pain.
9. ∞ The observations may not collect qualitative data; observation cannot record thoughts.
10. ∞ The assumption that all people show the same pain behaviours may not be true.