Design a study using an observation to investigate whether a person has generalised anxiety disorder.

Mark scheme

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

1. 5(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: observation. Specific features: Observations: type, setting, response categories, sampling frame, number of observers. General features of research methodology: sampling technique and sample, type of data, ethics, reliability, validity, data analysis.
2. 5(b) Marks: use generic levels of response 'Design a study' question part (b). Note: 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: measures: characteristics of generalised anxiety and examples; Generalised Anxiety Disorder assessment (GAD-7) Psychological: ∞ GAD is a long-term condition that causes feelings of anxiety about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event ∞ people with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed. As soon as one anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue ∞ GAD can cause both psychological (mental) and physical symptoms. These vary from person to person, but can include: feeling restless or worried, having trouble concentrating or sleeping, having dizziness or palpitations Note: candidates may describe studies of anxiety such as Ost, Watson and Rayner, etc. These must be related to part (a) to receive credit. Methodological: explanation of method using general and specific features as above.