A-LevelPsychologyClinical psychology (abnormality)9990/42 · Feb/Mar 2018 · Q518 Marks

Design a study to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality as a way to measure symptoms of schizophrenia.

(a)Design a study to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality as a way to measure symptoms of schizophrenia.[10]
(b)Explain the psychological and methodological evidence on which your study is based.[8]

Mark scheme

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

Marks: use generic levels of response ‘Design a study' question part (a).
Additional: Candidates should design the study showing evidence of design features appropriate to the named method. The named method is: any appropriate method, but must use virtual reality.
Typical features: Experiments: type, IV, DV, controls, experimental design.
Observations: type, setting, response categories, sampling frame, number of observers.
Questionnaires/Interviews: type, setting, example questions. Scoring/rating scale, analysis of responses.
Typical features of research methodology: sampling technique and sample, type of data, ethics, reliability, validity, data analysis.
Marks: use generic levels of response 'Design a study' question part (b).
Note: If only methodological or psychological explanation is provided max 5 marks
Candidates are expected to explain the reasons for the suggested design in part (a). Explanation should be both psychological and methodological. Psychological to include appropriate theory or research.
Syllabus: Characteristics of schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders symptom assessment using virtual reality (Freeman, 2008)
Additional: candidates are expected to justify their decisions or evidence presented regarding the design made in answer to question part (a).
Psychological: Quote from study: The third use of VR for psychosis would be learning to cope with symptoms as they occur. A variety of coping strategies could be tried out for learning how to remain engaged in a social situation even when symptoms occur. Clinical studies of these techniques in psychosis are yet to be carried out. VR has, however, been used in rehabilitation interventions for a range of problems.
Methodological: explanation of method using typical features as above.