A-LevelPsychologyResearch methods9990/21 · Oct/Nov 2021 · Q910 Marks

Naomi is designing an observation of helping behaviour at an entrance to a library that has a door which is difficult to open. She intends to observe people carrying many books and will record the gender of each person who helps to open the door.

(a)(i)Suggest one advantage of her being a participant observer.[2]
(a)(ii)Suggest one advantage of her being a non-participant observer.[2]
(b)Explain the type of data Naomi is collecting.[2]
(c)(i)State what is meant by a 'situational variable'.[1]
(c)(ii)Suggest how one situational variable could affect Naomi's results.[3]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1 mark for advantage
1 mark for link
She would be able to be very close; (advantage) So could see or hear whether the book-carrier / library user / stooge solicited the helping; (link)
Being involved means she won't affect the participants' behaviour; (advantage) If she was an onlooker who wasn't involved, people might feel they have to help; (link)
1 mark for advantage
1 mark for link
If she wasn't involved she would be more objective; (advantage) Because if she was involved she might see 'helping' that didn't really exist; (link)
Reference to covert/hidden is irrelevant
1 mark for identifying quantitative
1 mark for justification [mark is independent of correct identification]
Quantitative;
Because they can be male or female helpers; (justification)
Because she is counting the number of each gender helper; (justification)
Counting helping; (justification)
if someone held the door open or not; (justification)
The total times they helped; (justification)
Because it is the number of each gender; (justification)
if someone held the door open = 0 (not quantitative)
1 mark for definition
a confounding variable that is due to the influence of the environment;
something about the environment/setting that affects the DV other than the IV;
uncontrolled variable that is due to the situation = 0 [REP]
1 mark for situational variable
2 further marks for effect on results (likely to be linked but do not have to be)
If the library is busy (or not); (situational variable)
Whether it is the start/end of the day; (situational variable)
What the weather is like / if it is raining; (situational variable)
If the library is busy; people may be more likely to help; because they see other people helping / not because of gender;
If it is the start of the day; people may help more; because they haven't been at work yet / not because of gender;
If it is raining; people may be less likely to help; because they don't want to get wet / not because of gender;
If it is raining; people may be less likely to help; which lowers validity;