Practise Edexcel Psychology questions designing laboratory experiments, controlling variables, writing procedures and justifying experiments over case studies.
Damon and Elisa's psychology lecturer is teaching his class about the importance of good research design when planning an investigation. He suggests that in their planning they need to consider field experiments and laboratory experiments. The lecturer gives them a scenario from which they need to plan an investigation.
Scenario
Design and carry out an investigation to measure the short-term memory capacity of local 12-year old children.
The children will need to learn five number lists. The first list contains six digits and each following list increases by two digits, up to the final list of 14 digits. The children will be asked to recall the numbers from each list in the correct order.
Damon decides to carry out a field experiment with children from a local school. Elisa decides to carry out a laboratory experiment, bringing children to one of the research rooms at the university.
Evaluate whether Damon's choice of a field experiment was a more appropriate method than Elisa's choice of a laboratory experiment for this research scenario.
You must make reference to the context in your answer.
AO1 (4 marks), AO2 (4 marks), AO3 (4 marks)
AO1
- Field experiments take place in a more natural
environment for the participants.
- In laboratory and field experiments, researchers
manipulate the independent variable.
- Field and laboratory experiments allow researchers to
measure a cause and effect relationship between the IV
and DV.
- Laboratory experiments take place in artificial, non-
natural setting.
AO2
- Damon conducted his experiment in a local school where
the children were in their familiar environment for
learning.
- Elisa's and Damon's independent variable was the number
of digits in each list.
- Elisa would find out if the change in digits had an effect
on recall of numbers from the list.
- The children would not be used to the university research
laboratory they were brought to for Elisa's investigation.
AO3
- A field experiment may be higher in ecological validity
than a laboratory experiment so more natural behaviour
is likely to be recorded.
- Manipulation of the independent variable can lead to
artificial tasks which reduces the validity of the results.
- Cause and effects relationships could be considered more
accurate from laboratory experiments as a result of the
controls so results are more reliable than a field
experiment.
- For certain participants like children, a laboratory
experiment may be a distressing and uncomfortable
environment making it less appropriate.
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(12)
\begin{tabular}[t]{|l|l|l|}
\hline Level
Mark
Descriptor
AO1 (4 marks), AO2 (4 marks), AO3 (4 marks)
Candidates must demonstrate an equal emphasis between knowledge and
understanding vs application vs evaluation/conclusion in their answer.
0
No rewardable material.
Level
1
\begin{tabular}[t]{l}
1-3
Marks
\end{tabular}
\begin{tabular}[t]{l}
Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Provides little or no reference to relevant evidence from the context (scientific ideas, processes, techniques & procedures). (AO2)
A conclusion may be presented, but will be generic and the supporting evidence will be limited. Limited attempt to address the question. (AO3)
\end{tabular}
Level
2
\begin{tabular}[t]{l}
4-6
Marks
\end{tabular}
\begin{tabular}[t]{l}
Demonstrates mostly accurate knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Line(s) of argument occasionally supported through the application of relevant evidence from the context (scientific ideas, processes, techniques & procedures). (AO2)
Candidates will produce statements with some development in the form of mostly accurate and relevant factual material, leading to a superficial conclusion being made. (AO3)
\end{tabular}
Level
3
\begin{tabular}[t]{l}
7-9
Marks
\end{tabular}
\begin{tabular}[t]{l}
Demonstrates accurate knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Line(s) of argument supported by applying relevant evidence from the context (scientific ideas, processes, techniques & procedures). Might demonstrate the ability to integrate and synthesise relevant knowledge. (AO2)
Arguments developed using mostly coherent chains of reasoning leading to a conclusion being presented. Candidates will demonstrate a grasp of competing arguments but evaluation may be imbalanced. (AO3)
\end{tabular}
Level
4
10-12
Marks
\begin{tabular}[t]{l}
Demonstrates accurate and thorough knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Line(s) of argument supported throughout by sustained application of relevant evidence from the context (scientific ideas, processes, techniques or procedures). Demonstrates the ability to integrate and synthesise relevant knowledge. (AO2)
Displays a well-developed and logical evaluation, containing logical chains of reasoning throughout. Demonstrates an awareness of competing arguments, presenting a balanced conclusion. (AO3)
\end{tabular}