Study Control issues in the Pearson Edexcel A Level Psychology specification, including the knowledge, application and evaluation needed for exam questions and mark-scheme…
When researching psychological topics, a researcher will need to consider control issues in the research.
Explain how a researcher may attempt to overcome order effects when conducting psychological research.
AO1 (1 mark), AO3 (1 mark)
Credit one mark for accurate identification of how to overcome order
effects (AO1)
Credit one mark for justification/exemplification (AO3)
For example;
- A researcher could use counterbalancing by placing two sets of
participants into alternating groups of each condition such as AB
and BA grouping (1) which prevents participants from becoming
tired when completing each of the conditions and reduce the
impact of fatigue effects confounding results of the research (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(2)
Explain how a researcher may attempt to overcome social desirability when conducting psychological research.
AO1 (1 mark), AO3 (1 mark)
Credit one mark for accurate identification of how to overcome social
desirability (AO1)
Credit one mark for justification/exemplification (AO3)
For example;
- A researcher could make the participants aware that their
identities will be kept anonymous in their research so they are
aware they will not be named (1) which can help limit the
likelihood that they would give answers that fit social norms and
values to present themselves in a more favourable light (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(2)