Psychology

Psychology
Referencing the scenario

WJEC EDUQAS

Read the scenario. Name the participants and location of this study.

Research was carried out into whether students who smile more at their teachers are predicted higher grades than those who smile less. The smiling behaviour of students was rated by a teaching assistant who was present during three lessons. The ratings were then compared to the students’ predicted grades.

(c) Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of the teaching assistant conducting research in the field.

[4]


Type your answer here:

Participants = students
In the field = in the classroom/lessons

Each time you go to write the word ‘participants’ or ‘in the field’ in your answer use your chosen names instead.
This will mean you are referring back to the scenario in your answer.

Write a response to the question that will achieve full marks. It should include:

  • One advantage of research ‘in the field’ that is related directly to the scenario.
  • One disadvantage of research ‘in the field’ that is related directly to the scenario.

Research was carried out into whether students who smile more at their teachers are predicted higher grades than those who smile less. The smiling behaviour of students was rated by a teaching assistant who was present during three lessons. The ratings were then compared to the students’ predicted grades.

(c) Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of the teaching assistant conducting research in the field.

[4]


Type your answer here:

One advantage of research conducted in the classroom over 3 lessons is that it will have increased external validity. The students are in a natural environment which they are used to (the classroom) and so they are likely to smile and behave as they normally would.

One disadvantage of research conducted in the classroom over 3 lessons is that there will be less control over extraneous variables. There may be other influences on the students that could affect their predicted grades or smiling which are not controlled e.g. they may be in a bad mood in those 3 lessons and smile less than normal.