Practise Edexcel Psychology questions comparing overt, covert, participant and non-participant observations, applying ethical and practical trade-offs.
Anya wants to conduct a covert observation to investigate the differences in the behaviour of boys and girls when playing in a park. The park has a variety of equipment including slides, swings and a climbing frame.
Describe how Anya could conduct her covert observation.
AO2 (4 marks)
Credit up to four marks for an accurate description in relation to the
scenario.
For example:
- Anya should decide what types of behaviour she is going to
observe such as the number of boys or girls who play on each
piece of equipment, such as the slide (1). She should create a
tally chart to take with her to the park so she could mark down
every time she saw a child play on the swing (1). Anya should sit
where the children could not see her when she observed the
behaviour of the children in the park (1). Anya could also note
down qualitative data, such as what the children were saying to
each other as they played in the park (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
(4)
Explain one strength of Anya conducting a covert observation for her investigation.
AO2 (1 mark), AO3 (1 mark)
Credit one mark for accurate identification of one strength in relation to
the scenario (AO2).
Credit one mark for an accurate justification/exemplification of the
strength (AO3).
For example:
- The children in the park would not know their behaviour was being
observed so this increases the validity of Anya's observation (1),
as the children would play naturally on the equipment and not
change their behaviours when in the park so it avoids demand
characteristics (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
(2)