A-LevelPsychologyResearch methods9990/22 · Feb/Mar 2019 · Q79 Marks

Robin is conducting a questionnaire study about children's use of social media, which will collect qualitative and quantitative data.

(a)Suggest one question that Robin could use to collect qualitative data.[1]
(b)(i)Explain why the children lying would affect the validity of the results.[2]
(b)(ii)Suggest one way that Robin could change his study to reduce the problem of children telling lies.[2]
(c)(i)Suggest how he could obtain a wide range of children in his sample.[2]
(c)(ii)Explain why it is important to use a wide range of children in this study.[2]

Mark scheme

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

[1] 1 mark for any open question suitable for children about use of social media (can be a statement that generates qualitative data) Describe how you feel when you cannot access social media = 1 If you do not use social media, why not? = 1
[2] 2 marks for explanation (1 detailed explanation or 2 brief explanations) because if they lie the answers may not reflect their real social media use; because lying could result in answers that exaggerated / reduced their real social media use; social desirability may make them lie to conform to their beliefs about what social media use should be;
[2] 1 mark for suggestion 1 mark for detail tell the children it is anonymous = 1 (suggestion) so they feel less pressure to conform = 1 (detail) let each child fill the questionnaire in in private = 1 (suggestion) so they feel less need to lie = 1 (detail)
[2] 1 mark for suggestion (e.g. sampling technique or source) 1 mark for detail (e.g. how) use random sampling = 1 (suggestion) e.g. taking children by candidate number from a school list using a random number generator = 1 (detail) use volunteers from lots of different places = 1 (suggestion) for example by putting adverts in different schools = 1 (detail)
[2] 1 mark for explanation (can be generic) 1 mark for link to improve generalisations / representativeness = 1 (identification of reason) so that the findings about these children's social media use apply to others = 1 (link) if these children were all one age/from one place they might use social media more than others = 1 (link)