Riley notices that children at his school appear to be nicer to each other at morning play time than at afternoon play time.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Three majors for a natural experiment are:
2. [1] (a) What: – IV: morning and afternoon play time (e.g. exact times, how many days, experimental design)
3. [1] (b) How: – DV: levels of kindness (e.g. behavioural categories, sampling method)
4. [1] (c) Where: - school (playground, classroom, field, location of observer, participant observer, e.g. in play)
5. [1] The minors are: who: school-aged children how: controls
6. [1] Other details for replication: sampling technique sample size ethical issues re. children description of how data will analysed, e.g. use of averages / bar charts
7. [1] Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
8. [1] Mark according to the levels of response criteria below:
9. [1] Level 3 (8-10 marks) Response is described in sufficient detail to be replicable. Response may have a minor omission. Use of psychological terminology is accurate and comprehensive.
10. [1] Level 2 (5-7 marks) Response is in some detail. Response has minor omission(s). Use of psychological terminology is accurate.
11. [1] Level 1 (1-4 marks) Response is basic in detail. Response has major omission(s). If response is impossible to conduct max. 2. Use of psychological terminology is mainly accurate.
12. [1] Level 0 (0 marks) No response worthy of credit.
13. [1] Answer will depend on problem identified.
14. [1] Problems may, for example, be matters of: Validity operationalisation situational / participant variables factors
15. [1] Reliability inter-rater consistency intra-rater consistency
16. [1] This list is not exhaustive and other appropriate responses should also be credited.
17. [1] Marks comment 3-4 Appropriate problem identified. Appropriate solution is clearly described.
18. [1] 2 Appropriate problem identified. plus EITHER Explanation of why it is a problem OR Ineffectual but possible solution described.
19. [1] 1 Appropriate problem identified. Little or no justification.
20. [1] 0 No response worthy of credit