A-LevelPsychologyResearch methods9990/22 · Oct/Nov 2019 · Q79 Marks

Dr Shah is conducting a naturalistic observation in a children's play area.

(a)Suggest two ways that Dr Shah could make her study ethical.[4]
(b)State why this study is a 'naturalistic observation'.[1]
(c)Suggest how Dr Shah could conduct her study if she were a covert, non-participant observer.[4]

Mark scheme

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

[4] 1 mark for identification of an ethical issue (does not have to be named) × 2
1 mark for detail × 2
To protect the participants = 1
She should gain permission from her university ethical committee = 1
e.g. this would ensure the children were not upset by being observed = 1
Informed consent (from adults) = 1
Tell adults she is watching the children's play so they would know what was happening to their child = 1
...so they could choose to leave the play area or not based on what Dr Shah
Tells them = 1
...because the participants are children/underage = 1
Ask the children in a child-friendly way so they understand what will happen and can choose =1
Confidentiality = 1
Keep data about the children safe/not identify individual children/not name the specific play area = 1
Privacy = 1
Not listen to/record individual discussions between children/adults = 1
Deception = 1
Not mislead the children/adults about the purpose of procedure of her observation = 1
Debriefing = 1
Tell adults about what she has seen in the children's play = 1
(informing adults would give them the) right to withdraw their child = 1
To return children to previous state if they have been affected by the study = 1
[1] 1 mark for a statement why
Because Dr Shah has not manipulated/interfered with the play situation) = 1
Because the children are in the play area regardless of her study = 1
The toys and apparatus would be there anyway, so Dr Shah hasn't changed anything just for the study = 1
Because it is conducted in (the children's) real life environment/normal setting = 1
[4] 1 mark for demonstration of understanding of covert (likely to be implicit)
1 mark for link
1 mark for demonstration of understanding of non-participant (likely to be implicit)
1 mark for link
Covert = hidden/participants are unaware of observer's role = 1 (understanding)
Dr Shah could hide herself/she could pretend to be just another adult with a child (e.g. by chatting to other adults)/she could record data discreetly so that the children didn't notice = 1 link
Non-participant = not part of the participants' social setting = 1 (understanding)
Dr Shah would not go into the play area itself/would not talk to the children/would stay with the adults on the side = 1 link