Anisha and Megane are supervisors who walk around the school during lunchtime to watch the children in the building, playground and lunch hall. They have been asked by Sue, who is head of the psychology department, to be observers in a study on helpful behaviour in the school.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) Three majors for an observational study are: What: behaviours that will be recorded, e.g. one named (detail, e.g. definition/operationalisation of behavioural categories) How: any two of: • naturalistic/controlled; structured/unstructured; • • covert/overt; • participant/non-participant; (detail is how they are achieved OR more than two) The minors are: where - location of participants when data is collected (must be school) who - participants (must be students and or staff) • sampling technique; sample size; • • description of how tallying will be done; • description of how data will analysed, e.g. use of averages/bar charts; • ethical issues; Other appropriate responses should also be credited. Mark according to the levels of response criteria below: Level 3 (8-10 marks) • Response is described in sufficient detail to be replicable (i.e. what and how); • Response may have a minor omission (i.e. who or where); Use of psychological terminology is accurate and comprehensive; Level 2 (5-7 marks) • Response is in some detail; Response has minor omission(s) (i.e. who and/or where); • 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] (b) Answer will depend on problem identified. If the problem was an obvious omission in (a), fewer marks will have been awarded in (a), so they can be awarded here. Problems may, for example, be matters of: Validity • operationalisation; • difficulty with lying/social desirability; difficulty with response biases; Reliability • inter-rater consistency; • intra-rater consistency. 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. Appropriate problem identified. 2 plus EITHER Explanation of why it is a problem OR Ineffectual but possible solution described. Appropriate problem identified. 1 Little or no justification. No response worthy of credit. 0