A-LevelPsychologyResearch methods9990/22 · Oct/Nov 2019 · Q23 Marks

A hypothesis in a study states 'Recall will be better after a short delay than after a long delay'.

(a)Is this a directional (one-tailed) or a non-directional (two-tailed) hypothesis? Include a reason for your answer.[1]
(b)(i)Suggest one way to operationalise 'recall' in this study.[1]
(b)(ii)Suggest one way to operationalise 'short delay and long delay' in this study.[1]

Mark scheme

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

[1] Definitive answer – directional + reason: Because it says that recall will be better in one condition than the other = 1 mark (linked); It states how the IV will affect the DV (rather than just that it will) = 1 mark (generic);
[1] 1 mark for operationalising 'recall'
e.g. the number of things recalled/the time taken to recall/the detail recalled/ a specific example;
[1] 1 mark for operationalising 'short' and 'long' delays
e.g. short = 30 seconds and long = 10 years (any different times are acceptable);

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