The Generalised Anxiety Disorder assessment (GAD-7) was developed using questionnaires with 2740 patients, followed by a telephone interview with 965 of these patients who were selected randomly. The GAD-7 asks 7 questions each scored from 0–3. A score of 15 or more indicates severe anxiety.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited): GAD is a long-term condition that causes feelings of anxiety about a wide range of situations and issues, (is general) rather than one specific event.
2. [2] people with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed. As soon as one anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue.
3. [2] GAD can cause both psychological (mental) and physical symptoms. These vary from person to person, but can include: feeling restless or worried, having trouble concentrating or sleeping, having dizziness or palpitations.
4. [2] Marks: 1 mark for basic answer e.g. one feature (bold above). 1 mark for elaboration (e.g. range of features/example/examples of symptoms.
5. [4] Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited): responses from participants can be compared with responses from other participants on the same rating scale.
6. [4] data can be compared with other studies done previously and in the future.
7. [4] data can be analysed statistically
8. [4] a number isn't open to question by researchers and researcher bias doesn't apply.
9. [4] Marks: 1 mark for advantage of quantitative but not related. 1 mark for advantage that is related. ×2
10. [4] Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited): random sample so no sampling bias.
11. [4] 12 different states of the USA so more generalised/representative
12. [4] large numbers (965) so less effect of anomalies.
13. [4] Marks: 1 mark for advantage of sample but not related. 1 mark for advantage that is related. ×2
14. [5] Marks: Question requires discussion; always plural of each argument, and always requires conclusion.
15. [5] 1 mark for each advantage/disadvantage (however detailed) and related to the question up to 4 max. 2 marks max for two strengths/weaknesses unrelated to the question. 1 mark for conclusion.
16. [5] Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited): Advantages: interviews allow people to present their side of the study in full detail (gather qualitative data);
17. [5] interviews can be done in a safe and private environment (e.g. at home);
18. [5] an Interview could be unstructured, allowing free interaction; it could be structured allowing 'essential' questions to be included with every participant (quantitative data).
19. [5] The interview can be recorded providing evidence of what was said should it be needed.
20. [5] Disadvantages: people can more easily withdraw (put down telephone/hang-up)
21. [5] people may get bored if interview is longer than 20 average call time.
22. [5] people not understand rating scale/questions being asked and repeating takes time.
23. [5] Any choice of responses needs to be simple/easy to compare options for respondents.
24. [5] Conclusion: any appropriate conclusion drawn from the discussion that has been presented. 1 mark if appropriate. A conclusion is a 'decision reached by reasoning' and so a summary of points already made scores 0 marks.