Brendan is planning to use a semi-structured interview in a study about road users. He intends to use a sample of people who are walking (pedestrians). Brendan will investigate the pedestrians' feelings, thoughts and actions towards other road users, e.g. other pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

Mark scheme

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

1. Three majors for a semi-structured interview are:
2. a content of questions asked (topics, examples: feelings, thoughts, actions)
3. b interview structure detail (both fixed and variable questions, writing/recording answers, fillers)
4. c style of questions asked (open, closed, correct example for each)
5. The minors are:
6. where - location of participants when being interviewed
7. who - participants (people who are road users)
8. Other details for replication:
9. • lie questions
10. • filler questions
11. • sampling technique
12. • sample size
13. • description of how data will analysed, e.g. use of averages/bar charts
14. • ethical issues
15. Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
16. Mark according to the levels of response criteria below:
17. Level 3 (8-10 marks) • Response is described in sufficient detail to be replicable. • Response may have a minor omission. Use of psychological terminology is accurate and comprehensive.
18. Level 2 (5-7 marks) • Response is in some detail. • Response has minor omission(s). Use of psychological terminology is accurate.
19. 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.
20. Level 0 (0 marks) No response worthy of credit.
21. Identify one practical weakness/limitation with the procedure you have described in your answer to part (a) and suggest how your study might be done differently to overcome the problem.
22. Do not refer to ethics or sampling in your answer.
23. Answer will depend on problem identified.
24. Problems may, for example, be matters of: Validity • operationalisation • situational/participant variables factors
25. Reliability inter-rater consistency • intra-rater consistency.
26. This list is not exhaustive and other appropriate responses should also be credited.
27. Marks Comment 3-4 Appropriate problem identified. Appropriate solution is clearly described.
28. 2 Appropriate problem identified. plus EITHER Explanation of why it is a problem OR Ineffectual but possible solution described.
29. 1 Appropriate problem identified. Little or no justification.
30. 0 No response worthy of credit