Practise Edexcel Psychology questions designing naturalistic observations, using tally charts and observer checks to improve reliability and ecological validity.
Yoko carried out an observation in a local park. She observed how males and females interacted with other people, to see if there was a difference. She observed how long males spoke to males (Condition A) and how long females spoke to females (Condition B). Yoko observed if they spoke for less than 5 minutes or for 5 minutes or more.
Yoko recorded her data using event sampling.
Describe how Yoko may have carried out the observation using event sampling.
AO2 (3 marks)
Credit up to three marks for accurate description in relation to scenario.
For example:
- She would create a tally chart with her categories to record her data
about who spoke for under 5 minutes and 5 minutes or more (1). Yoko
would note down every time she saw someone speak for under 5
minutes, or for 5 minutes or more as she is event sampling (1). After the
observation Yoko would total the number of times she saw each
behaviour for males and for females (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
(3)