Section C Answer all questions in this section. Dr Fox is planning a field experiment to investigate obedience in school children. Her aim is to test whether they are more obedient to teachers who are dressed in informal or formal clothes.

Mark scheme

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

1. [10] Three major omissions for a field experiment are: What: - will be recorded, i.e. DV How: - IV Where: - school The minor omissions are: how - controls who - participants (must be school children) Indicative content for a field experiment: How - identification of the independent variable operationalisation of the dependent variable What - identification of the dependent variable operationalisation of the dependent variable including examples of ways to measure the variable such as questions/tests used How - controls experimental design (any are appropriate here) sampling technique sample size description of how data will analysed, e.g. use of measures of central tendency and spread, bar charts ethical issues 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. Level 2 (5–7 marks) Response is in some detail. Response has minor omission(s). Use of psychological terminology is accurate. 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. Level 0 (0 marks) No response worthy of credit.
2. [4] Answer will depend on problem identified. Problems may, for example, be matters of: Validity operationalisation (of obedience) difficulty with demand characteristics/social desirability if overt difficulty with remaining hidden if covert dressing teachers differently may affect the teacher's own behaviour Reliability intra-rater consistency (scoring obedience) This list is not exhaustive and other appropriate responses should also be credited. marks comment 3–4 Appropriate problem identified. Appropriate solution is clearly described. 2 Appropriate problem identified. plus EITHER Explanation of why it is a problem OR Ineffectual but possible solution described. 1 Appropriate problem identified. Little or no justification. 0 No response worthy of credit