Section B: Exam Questions

a) Briefly outline the self-report method used in psychology. (4)

b)Describe two pieces of research that use the self-report method. (8)

c)Discuss the strengths and limitations of using self-report to investigate behaviour. (12)

d)Compare the self-report method with the observational method. (8)

e) Discuss the usefulness of using self-reports in research. (8)

Section B

One 5-part question – 40 marks

5 parts will relate primarily to one research method and one issue (a,b,c,e)

(a) & (b) require factual knowledge

(d)- compare two different research methods

(e)- will link with an issue

(c) – (e) require evaluative points

Section B – Research methods and issues

G544 – choice of 2 questions

1. Focused on approaches and perspectives

2. Focused on research methods and methodological issues

Research methods

Lab experiment

Field experiment

Observation

Self-report

Correlation

Case Study

a) Briefly outline the self-report method used in psychology. (4)

b) Describe two pieces of research that use the self-report method. (8)

You will need to provide evidence from both AS and A2 to support the points you will make in Section B of this paper.

List study and show how it is a self-report.

AS:

A2:

Guidance:

The more detail the better (I.e. number of participants, how they used self-report and summary of results)

c) Discuss the strengths and limitations of using self-report to investigate behaviour. (12)

• Be prepared to be able to do this if they also ask specifically for interviews or questionnaires.

ST:

WK:

Guidance: Just like at AS you need to write 4 paragraphs:

• 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses

However, you will use the following format:

PCEC

d) Using examples, compare the use of self-report with any other one method used in Psychology (8)

What research methods could you use?

Come up with 2 similarities and 2 differences between:

Self-Report and Experiments

Correlations and Self-Reports

Self-Report and Observations

Hint: You can prepare this before hand for all of the research methods! Know your points before you go in!

e) Discuss the usefulness of using self-reports in research. (8)

Guidance:

Things to think about: is it valid and can it be related to everyday life? Issues of generalisability & reliability.

4 marks on how self-reports can be useful and 4 marks for how self-reports may not be useful in everyday life.

2 Paragraphs:

Point: How are self-reports useful?

Comment: Explain why this is useful.

Evidence: Study to show its usefulness

Comment: Why is this useful?

Point: How are self-reports not useful?

Comment: Explain why this is not useful.

Evidence: Study to show it is not useful

Comment: Why this is not useful?

Homework

All questions (8-12 marks) that ask the following must use the format of PCEC (all in context):

Strengths/weaknesses

Evaluate

How would you......

Discuss

Point: What is the strengthComment: Explain why it is a strengthEvidence: Study to show it is a strength (for example…)Comment: Why is this a strength

Point: What is a limitation of using self reportsComment: Explain why this is a limitationEvidence: Study to show it is a limitation (for example…)Comment: Why is this a limitation?

H/W - c) Discuss the strengths and limitations of using self-report to investigate behaviour. (12)

• Be prepared to be able to do this if they also ask specifically for interviews or questionnaires.

ST:

WK:

ST:

WK:

Guidance: Just like at AS you need to write 4 paragraphs:

• 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses

However, you will use the following format:

PCEC

X4