Psychology 9990/21 May/June 2020: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Psychology (9990), Paper 2 Research Methods, May/June 2020. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
In the study by Baron-Cohen et al., one variable was the score on the Eyes Test.
(a) State whether this was an independent variable or a dependent variable.
Include a reason for your answer.
…… [1]
(b) One problem with the original version of the Eyes Test was that the results produced a ‘ceiling effect’. This is where most participants obtain high scores on the test.
Explain why a ceiling effect is a problem.
…… [1]
Mark scheme
1 In the study by Baron-Cohen et al., one variable was the score on the
Eyes Test.
1(a) State whether this was an independent variable or a dependent variable. 1
Include a reason for your answer.
1 mark for DV and reason.
Dependent variable because it was being measured = 1
Dependent variable because it differed according to whether the participant
was autistic or not = 1
Dependent variable because it varied with the level of the IV/condition = 1
Dependent variable because eyes test score differed between the controls
and autistics = 1
Dependent variable = 0
Independent variable because it was being measured = 0
Independent variable because it varied with the level of the IV/condition = 0
1(b) One problem with the original version of the Eyes Test was that the 1
results produced a ‘ceiling effect’. This is where most participants
obtain high scores on the test. Explain why a ceiling effect is a problem.
1 mark for reason.
It limits the variance / spread = 1
It becomes hard to distinguish between different scores = 1
It wouldn’t have been possible to distinguish the controls and autistics even if
there was a difference = 1
A psychologist is investigating whether a person’s happiness depends on whether people around them are happy.
(a) Suggest how you could operationalise ‘happiness’ when using observations.
…… [1]
(b) Suggest how you could measure ‘happiness’ when using a self-report.
…… [1]
(c) Write a directional (one-tailed) hypothesis for this investigation. You do not have to operationalise your hypothesis.
…… [1]
Mark scheme
2 A psychologist is investigating whether a person’s happiness depends
on whether people around them are happy.
2(a) Suggest how you could operationalise ‘happiness’ when using 1
observations.
1 mark for any plausible measure.
Count number of smiles = 1
Time length of time smiling = 1
Score laughter from 1–5 = 1
Observe the participant in social contexts to watch their family / friends / work
colleagues = 0
2(b) Suggest how you could measure ‘happiness’ when using a self-report. 1
1 mark for any plausible measure.
Ask the participant / family / friends / work colleagues to answer questions
about their happiness = 1
Ask them to fill in a questionnaire about behaviours suggesting happiness = 1
Interview them about their emotions =1
2(c) Write a directional (one-tailed) hypothesis for this investigation. You do 1
not have to operationalise your hypothesis.
1 mark for correct directional hypothesis (does not have to be
operationalised). Accept experimental or correlational hypotheses.
People feel happier when people around them are happy rather than unhappy
= 1 [experimental]
People feel happier when people around them are happy than if other people
are not = 1 [experimental]
People are happier when people around them are happier = 1 [correlational]
0 marks for a null hypothesis.
One part of the investigation by Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams) involved a correlational study measuring a range of times spent in REM sleep and the number of words in the participant’s dream narrative.
(a) Explain why this part of the investigation was a correlational study rather than an experiment.
…… [1]
(b) Explain one disadvantage of using a correlation in this study.
…… [2]
Mark scheme
3 One part of the investigation by Dement and Kleitman (sleep and
dreams) involved a correlational study measuring a range of times spent
in REM sleep and the number of words in the participant’s dream
narrative.
3(a) Explain why this part of the investigation was a correlational study 1
rather than an experiment.
1 mark for explanation (generic or linked)
Because they were looking for the relationship between two variables = 1
Because they were looking for the relationship between time spent in REM
and length of the narrative = 1
3(b) Explain one disadvantage of using a correlation in this study. 2
1 mark for disadvantage
1 mark for link
correlations cannot find causal relationships = 1 (disadvantage)
so they couldn’t tell if REM sleep caused dreams / e.g. between REM and
dreaming = 1 (link)
the correlation was difficult to see = 1 (disadvantage)
because there were only a few long REM phases = 1 (link)
a correlation that was found may have been flawed = 1 (disadvantage)
because the number of words in the dream narrative could depend on
expressiveness = 1 (link)
In a study about helping, participants were told the study was about visual tracking. They played a computer game in which they could help other players. They were given fake eye-movement tracking spectacles to wear.
(a) Describe the ethical issue of deception, using this study as an example.
…… [2]
(b) Some participants were upset at debriefing because they had not helped other players.
Describe the ethical guideline of protection, using this study as an example.
…… [2]
Mark scheme
4 In a study about helping, participants were told the study was about
visual tracking. They played a computer game in which they could help
other players. They were given fake eye-movement tracking spectacles
to wear.
4(a) Explain the ethical issue of deception, using this study as an example. 2
1 mark for explanation of deception
1 mark for link
deception involves misleading / lying to participants = 1 (explanation)
the participants were told the study was about visual tracking but really it was
about helping = 1 (link)
the participants were given spectacles to wear but they were not real = 1 (link)
4(b) Some participants were upset at debriefing because they had not helped 2
other players.
Explain the ethical guideline of protection, using this study as an
example.
1 mark for explanation of protection
1 mark for link
Protection from harm means not (physically or) mentally distressing
participants = 1 (explanation)
Protection from harm means if a participant’s state has changed they should
be returned to their original state = 1 (explanation)
Participants were upset so they should be reassured / made happy again /
told the helping wasn’t real so it was okay = 1 (link)
Before the study by Pepperberg (parrot learning), most research on animal learning had been conducted on primates, such as chimpanzees.
(a) Explain one ethical reason why a parrot is a better choice of animal than a chimpanzee for a study in a laboratory.
…… [2]
(b) Explain one practical or methodological reason why the parrot was a better choice of animal than a chimpanzee for this study.
…… [2]
Mark scheme
5 Before the study by Pepperberg (parrot learning), most research on
animal learning had been conducted on primates, such as chimpanzees.
5(a) Explain one ethical reason why a parrot is a better choice of animal than 2
a chimpanzee for a study in a laboratory.
1 mark for related animal guideline or logical ethical reason
1 mark for relating idea to parrot and/or chimp
‘species and strain’ says you should use the species that will suffer the least =
1 (guideline)
and parrots cope best in a test setting because they are used to being kept in
cages = 1 (link)
chimps are much more intelligent than parrots = 1 (logical reason)
so chimps would be more distressed by strange procedures like being
expected to learn about coloured shapes = 1 (link)
5(b) Explain one practical or methodological reason why the parrot was a 2
better choice of animal than a chimpanzee for this study.
1 mark for practical reason
1 mark for relating idea to parrot and/or chimp
smaller animals are easier to keep = 1 (reason)
and parrots are smaller than chimps = 1 (link)
chimpanzees can become aggressive = 1 (reason)
so parrots are safer = 1 link
Describe what is meant by ‘experimental conditions’ and ‘control conditions’ in research, using any examples.
…… [6]
Section B
Answer all questions in this section.
Mark scheme
6 Describe what is meant by ‘experimental conditions’ and ‘control 6
conditions’ in research, using any examples.
1 mark for basic definition of ‘experimental condition’.
1 mark for basic definition of ‘control condition’.
Up to 5 further marks for detail / examples.
The experimental condition is the condition / level with the IV present = 1
(definition)
The control condition is the condition / level with the IV absent = 1 (definition)
Two experimental conditions can be tested against each other / without a
control;
e.g. if two drugs are being tested for their efficacy = 1 (relevant example)
The control condition is used as a baseline to compare the experimental
condition(s) against;
e.g. if the efficacy of one drug is compared to that of a placebo = 1 (relevant
example)
e.g. Bandura et al. used two experimental conditions of aggressive and non-
aggressive model = 1 (core study example)
e.g. Bandura et al. used a control condition of no model = 1 (core study
example)
e.g. Yamamoto et al. compared experimental conditions ‘can see’ with control
condition ‘cannot see’
e.g. Schachter and Singer used two experimental conditions of angry and
euphoric stooge = 1 (core study example)
e.g. Schachter and Singer compared a control condition of ‘ignorant’ to
experimental conditions (Mis/Inf) = 1 (core study example)
Maria is conducting a self-report study into obedience using school children as participants. Her questions are:
Question 1 How many times this week have you disobeyed a teacher?
Never / once / 2–3 times / 4 times or more
Question 2 Describe why you last disobeyed a teacher.
(a) (i) State which question collects quantitative data. Include a reason for your answer.
…… [1]
(ii) State why this type of data is useful.
…… [1]
(b) Suggest one other question which could be used in Maria’s study that would collect quantitative data.
…… [1]
(c) Identify the most appropriate measure of central tendency for Maria to use with the responses to her first question. Include a reason for your answer.
…… [2]
Mark scheme
7 Maria is conducting a self-report study into obedience using school
children as participants. Her questions are:
Question 1 How many times this week have you disobeyed a teacher?
Never / once / 2–3 times / 4 times or more
Question 2 Describe why you last disobeyed a teacher.
7(a)(i) State which question collects quantitative data. Include a reason for 1
your answer.
1 mark for identifying question 1 and explaining that it collects numerical data
‘Question 1’ + ‘numerical’ = 1
‘1’ + ‘comes from the scale Never / once / 2-3 times /4 or more times’ = 1
7(a)(ii) State why this type of data is useful. 1
1 mark for explanation of usefulness
Because it can be analysed / compared = 1
Because it is (usually) objective = 1
7(b) Suggest one other question which could be used in Maria’s study that 1
would collect quantitative data.
1 mark for closed question related to study
Would you disobey a teacher who asked you to clean the board? Y/N = 1
How likely would you be to obey the teacher if he told you to sweep the floor?
1 (very) – 5 (not at all) = 1
7(c) Identify the most appropriate measure of central tendency for Maria to 2
use with the responses to her first question. Include a reason for your
answer.
Mode = 1
it finds the most common response = 1
Richard is conducting an experiment to investigate whether daydreams are affected by the type of background noise. He has two groups who are both given a boring task in a room. For one group there are children laughing outside the open window. For the other group there are adults talking loudly in the corridor. Different participants are used in each group.
(a) (i) Identify Richard’s experimental design. Include a reason for your answer.
…… [2]
(ii) Suggest one advantage of this experimental design in this study.
…… [2]
(b) Suggest one reason for using a boring task in this study.
…… [1]
(c) Suggest one practical or methodological problem with studying daydreams.
…… [2]
(d) Suggest one ethical problem with studying daydreams.
…… [2]
Mark scheme
8 Richard is conducting an experiment to investigate whether daydreams
are affected by the type of background noise. He has two groups who
are both given a boring task in a room. For one group there are children
laughing outside the open window. For the other group there are adults
talking loudly in the corridor. Different participants are used in each
group.
8(a)(i) Identify Richard’s experimental design. Include a reason for your 2
answer.
1 mark for independent measures design (accept independent groups /
between subjects, do NOT accept just ‘independent’)
Independent measures design = 1
because the child group and adult group are separate = 1
because different participants are used in each group = 1
8(a)(ii) Suggest one advantage of this experimental design in this study. 2
1 mark for advantage
1 mark for link
overcomes order effects = 1 (advantage)
the boring task would be even more boring the second time = 1 (link)
daydreaming might increase/decrease the second time = 1 (link)
reduces effects of demand characteristics = 1 (advantage)
as participants only experience the boring task once so are less likely to think
about what the aim is = 1 (link)
8(b) Suggest one reason for using a boring task in this study. 1
1 mark for reason
to make people daydream = 1
to make all participants equally likely to daydream = 1
8(c) Suggest one practical or methodological problem with studying 2
daydreams.
1 mark for practical/methodological problem
1 mark for explanation (may or may not be linked)
they may not happen = 1 (identification of problem – ‘they’ is referring to
daydreams)
so you would not collect any data = 1 (explanation)
they are vague/easily forgotten = 1 (identification of problem – happens to be
linked ‘they’ [the daydreams])
so may not be reported accurately by the participants = 1 (explanation)
the content of daydreams has to be interpreted = 1 (identification of problem)
so the researcher will need to interpret them / may be subjective = 1
(explanation)
8(d) Suggest one ethical problem with studying daydreams. 2
1 mark for ethical problem
1 mark for explanation (may or may not be linked)
they are personal = 1 (identification of problem – happens to be linked ‘they’
[the daydreams])
so asking about them could break privacy = 1 (explanation)
when you have been daydreaming you are a bit fuzzy = 1 (identification of
problem)
so your decision to consent/withdraw may be invalid = 1 (explanation)
Jasper conducted an observational study of children’s behaviours in their school common room.
Jasper’s data is shown in Table 9.1.
Table 9.1
Behaviours observed
Sitting alone Drinking tea Dancing Verbal aggression
Number of
10 15 5 1 instances
(a) Draw a bar chart of Jasper’s results. [4]
(b) Jasper observed the children with the permission of the school principal and the children’s parents.
(i) Explain why it was necessary to obtain permission in this study.
…… [2]
(ii) Explain whether there could have been an issue with privacy in this study.
…… [2]
(c) Jasper was a non-participant observer.
Explain what is meant by a ‘non-participant observer’, using this study as an example.
…… [2]
Section C
Answer all questions in this section.
Mark scheme
9 Jasper conducted an observational study of children’s behaviours in
their school common room. Jasper’s data is shown in Table 1.
Table 1
Behaviours observed
Sitting alone Drinking tea Dancing Verbal
aggression
Number of
10 15 5 1
instances
9(a) Draw a bar chart of Jasper’s results. 4
Number of
instances
Behaviours observed
1 mark for title
1 mark for x-axis label
1 mark for x-axis categories
1 mark for y-axis label
1 mark for y-axis units
1 mark for it being a bar chart [essential for 4 marks]
1 mark for correct plotting [essential for 4 marks]
9(b) Jasper observed the children with the permission of the school principal
and the children’s parents.
9(b)(i) Explain why it was necessary to obtain permission in this study. 2
1 mark for reason/guideline
1 mark for link (only needs to relate to parents OR school principal)
consent = 1 (guideline)
as (some of the students) will be under 16, parents’ permission is essential =
1 (link)
because the children may not understand that they were in a study = 1 (link)
some children may be too young to understand = 1 (reason)
so a responsible adult such as the school principal needs to agree = 1 (link)
9(b)(ii) Explain whether there could have been an issue with privacy in this 2
study.
1 mark for reason
1 mark for link
the students did not know they were being observed = 1 (link)
so may have behaved in ways they would not have wanted to other people to
have seen = 1 (reason)
children would expect to be unobserved in their common room = 1 (link)
so if they found out they were being observed they could be upset = 1
(reason)
9(c) Jasper was a non-participant observer. 2
Explain what is meant by a non-participant observer, using this study as
an example.
1 mark for explanation of ‘non-participant’
1 mark for link
a non-participant observer doesn’t join in with what they are observing = 1
(explanation)
is not part of the social group who are observed = 1 (explanation)
Jasper could be disguised as a technician = 1 (link)
Jason is a university lecturer and is interested in doodling behaviour. One day, Jason sees one of his students, Karen, doodling. Jason is especially interested because Karen has a visual impairment that means she cannot see. Jason decides to conduct a case study on her.
(a) Describe how Jason could conduct a case study on Karen to investigate her doodling behaviour.
…… [10]
(b) Identify one practical weakness/limitation with the procedure you have described in your answer to part (a) and suggest how your study might be done differently to overcome the problem.
Do not refer to ethics or sampling in your answer.
…… [4]
Mark scheme
10 Jason is a university lecturer and is interested in doodling behaviour.
One day, Jason sees one of his students, Karen, doodling. Jason is
especially interested because Karen has a visual impairment that means
she cannot see. Jason decides to conduct a case study on her.
10(a) Describe how Jason could conduct a case study on Karen to find out 10
about her doodling behaviour.
Three major omissions for a case study are:
How: technique used to collect data asked (e.g. interview, questionnaire,
observations)
What: content e.g. questions (open etc.), qualitative data, multiple sessions
(questions about doodling, observe doodling in different situation)
How: use of data e.g. interpretation, triangulation etc. (how open questions
will be interpreted, how doodles will be analysed)
The minor omissions are:
where: location of participants when completing the questionnaire / how it is
distributed
who: Karen
Also:
ethical issues
Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
Mark according to the levels of response criteria below:
Level 3 (8–10 marks)
• Response is described in sufficient detail to be replicable (i.e. what and
how).
• Response may have a minor omission (i.e. who or where).
• Use of psychological terminology is accurate and comprehensive.
Level 2 (5–7 marks)
• Response is in some detail.
• Response has minor omission(s) (i.e. who and/or where).
• Use of psychological terminology is accurate.
Level 1 (1–4 marks)
• Response is basic in detail.
• Response has major omission(s).
• If response is impossible to conduct max. 2.
• Use of psychological terminology is mainly accurate.
Level 0 (0 marks)
No response worthy of credit.
10(b) Identify one practical weakness/limitation with the procedure you have
described in your answer to part (a) and suggest how your study might
be done differently to overcome the problem.
Do not refer to ethics or sampling in your answer.
Answer will depend on problem identified.
Problems may, for example, be matters of:
Validity
• operationalisation
• difficulty with lying / social desirability
Reliability
• researcher bias
This list is not exhaustive and other appropriate responses should also be
credited.
marks comment
3–4 Appropriate problem identified.
Appropriate solution is clearly described.
2 Appropriate problem identified.
plus
EITHER
Explanation of why it is a problem
OR
Ineffectual but possible solution described.
1 Appropriate problem identified.
Little or no justification.
0 No response worthy of credit
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