Design a study to investigate age differences in the disclosure of medical information to a health practitioner.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) 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. Specific 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. General features of research methodology: sampling technique and sample, type of data, ethics, reliability, validity, data analysis.
2. [8] (b) Marks: use generic levels of response 'Design a study' question part (b). NB 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. Additional: candidates are expected to justify their decisions or evidence presented regarding the design made in answer to question part (a). Syllabus: disclosure of information (Robinson and West, 1992) Psychological: Robinson and West (1992) studied patients attending a sexually transmitted disease centre. symptoms recorded: (i) a computerised interview, (ii) a paper questionnaire (iii) a 'standard physician interview'. More information was given to a computer than the paper questionnaire and both these methods was better than in a face-to-face consultation with a doctor. NB 2 marks max if psychological knowledge is not related to answer. Methodological: explanation of method using general and specific features as above.