Methodological Issues in Psychology
Study Edexcel Psychology methodological-issues questions by evaluating validity, reliability, control, sampling, ethics and the limits of conclusions.
- Syllabus
- 2026
- Course
- Psychology XPS01/YPS01
- Level
- A2
Exam points
- Evaluate validity by checking whether the method measures intended behaviour rather than a confounding influence.
- Evaluate reliability through standardised procedures, consistency and replication of findings.
- Link sampling, ethical and control issues to the strength and limits of study conclusions.
9.1.13 - Methodological issues question 1
[Maximum number: 2]
Sigmund conducted a laboratory experiment to find out whether obedience to an authority figure changes based on the status of the person giving orders. He used an empty classroom in his local university to conduct his experiment.
He selected 60 participants (30 male and 30 female) from volunteers who answered an advert he placed in a local newspaper. Sigmund allocated 15 males and 15 females to each of the experimental conditions.
- In Condition A participants were instructed to delete the contents of a laptop computer by a man wearing a business suit.
- In Condition B participants were instructed to delete the contents of a laptop computer by a man in casual clothing.
Sigmund recorded how many participants deleted the contents of the laptop computer in each condition.
Explain one improvement that Sigmund could make to his experiment in terms of validity.
AO2 (1 mark), AO3 (1 mark)
Credit one mark for accurate identification of an improvement in relation
to the scenario (AO2).
Credit one mark for justification/exemplification of the improvement
(AO3)
For example:
- Sigmund could use a more realistic context than a classroom in a
university, such as a real office (1) as this would be more
reflective of day-to-day obedience when asked to delete laptop
computer contents (1).
Generic answers score 0 marks.
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(2)
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