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Erik has been asked to carry out a cross-sectional study of patients’ behaviour on a psychiatric ward - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 2
Question 3
Erik has been asked to carry out a cross-sectional study of patients’ behaviour on a psychiatric ward. (a) Describe how Erik may obtain his sample for his cross-sec... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Erik has been asked to carry out a cross-sectional study of patients’ behaviour on a psychiatric ward - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 2
Step 1
Describe how Erik may obtain his sample for his cross-sectional study.
Answer
Erik could use an opportunity sampling method to gather participants for his study. This involves selecting individuals who are readily available at the time of the study. For instance, he could approach patients who are present on the psychiatric ward during his study period. This method is often practical and efficient, allowing Erik to collect a sample quickly from the population he is researching.
Step 2
Describe how Erik could collect primary data regarding the patients’ behaviour.
Answer
To collect primary data, Erik has several options. He can conduct direct observations of the patients' behaviours within the ward. This method would involve him systematically noting specific behaviours as they occur in real-time, providing valuable insights. Additionally, Erik might use interviews or questionnaires, where he directly asks the patients about their experiences and behaviours. This approach allows for more nuanced data collection, as he can gather personal accounts and perspectives. Using video recording might also be an option, although this would require careful ethical considerations.
Step 3
Explain one strength and one weakness of a cross-sectional study.
Answer
One strength of cross-sectional studies is their ability to provide a snapshot of the population’s behaviours at a specific point in time, facilitating quick data collection and analysis. For example, this type of study can reveal current behavioural trends among patients. However, a notable weakness is that cross-sectional studies cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships, as the data reflects a single point in time without considering changes over time. Therefore, the findings may lead to misleading conclusions about the dynamics of patients' behaviours.