Exam-style question
Try this first
Which option best protects the boundary between description and evaluation for Scientific processes? (2).
- A.State the psychological concept first, then explain why supporting or challenging evidence changes the judgement.
- B.Treat correlation, experiment, explanation and treatment as identical forms of psychological reasoning.
- C.Write a general opinion about Research methods without linking it to a concept, study, method or data pattern.
- D.List several topic words but do not explain what the evidence shows or why the judgement follows.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Answer H4GS4 for Explain Observational Techniques: For the command word in this question, the answer is The correct answer is State the psychological concept first, then explain why supporting or challenging evidence changes the judgement..
- It must be linked to Explain, observational, techniques, naturalistic, controlled, covert, overt, participant rather than presented as a generic Psychology statement.
Explanation
Why this works
A strong answer should first identify the exact psychological demand in the stem. The answer is correct because it uses research-method validity, reliability and sampling logic and keeps the focus on Explain observational techniques, including naturalistic, controlled, covert, overt, participant and non-participant observation..
Psychological reasoning: the response should name the mechanism or method, show how it operates, and use terms such as Explain, observational, techniques, naturalistic, controlled, covert, overt, participant, non, participant, observation, Which. Evidence link: observational design decisions can be used to support the point, but the answer should explain what the evidence demonstrates rather than simply naming it.
Evaluation: add a judgement about methodological control, ecological validity, population validity, ethics, determinism, reductionism, cultural bias or real-world application when that is relevant to the question. Exam relevance: the final sentence should make the answer explicit, so the examiner can see why the chosen point addresses the command word and not just the general topic.
Common mistake: avoid generic phrases such as "this is important"; explain the causal process, evidence quality or limitation in precise Psychology language.
Common mistake
No common mistake is linked to this question yet.